"The amount of carbon monoxide from one generator is equivalent to hundreds of idling cars," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "Carbon monoxide from a portable generator can kill you and your family in minutes."

During Hurricane Preparedness Week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) is urging us to safeguard our families when using a portable generator. The exhaust from a generator contains poisonous carbon monoxide, an
odorless, invisible gas which can kill in minutes.

The CPSC reports that in 2005, at least 55 people died from the carbon monoxide poisoning of portable generators. After last year's major hurricanes 28 people died from the fumes of their generators.

The CPSC is urging us to follow these safety tips when operating a
portable generator after a storm or power outage.

* Never use a portable generator indoors, including in your home,
garage, basement, crawlspace, shed or partially-enclosed area - even
with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not
prevent CO buildup in the home.

* Only use a portable generator outdoors in a dry area far away from
doors, windows and vents that can allow CO to come indoors.

* Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery
back-up in your home. Test the alarms frequently and replace dead
batteries.

* Get to fresh air right away if you start to feel dizzy or weak. The CO
from generators can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death.

* Plug appliances into a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cords and
plug the cords into the generator.

* If you are concerned about theft, secure your generator outside.

To reach consumers , CPSC has developed new warning labels for newly manufactured generators. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has adopted the same labels for certifying portable generators. Any manufacturer that wants the UL
certification will have to place the new warning label on its generators. Generators must also have ground fault circuit interrupters to prevent electrocution if they get wet.

CPSC Chairman Stratton states, "If we can keep people from using a
generator indoors, in a partially-enclosed area or anywhere close to
their home, these labels have done their job."

Last fall, Stratton directed CPSC staff to undertake a comprehensive
safety review of portable generators. That review is ongoing.

To see this release including a picture of the new
warning label, go to the CPSC web site.