Safety officials warn of carbon monoxide poisoning and injury risks as winter storms threaten millions

Power outages and cold weather raise hidden health dangers

As winter storms and freezing temperatures impact large parts of the United States, safety officials are emphasizing that the most serious risks are often not the snow itself but what happens during outages and cleanup. Carbon monoxide exposure from misused generators and heating equipment can become deadly quickly, while icy conditions can drive spikes in falls, vehicle crashes, and cold-related illness.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned that gasoline-powered portable generators should never be operated inside homes, garages, basements, or other enclosed spaces—even with doors or windows open—because carbon monoxide can build to lethal levels fast. The agency advises using generators outdoors and away from structures, with exhaust directed away from the home.

Emergency physicians also expect more winter-storm injuries

Emergency physicians say severe winter weather routinely brings an increase in injuries and illness, including falls on ice, hypothermia, and traffic-related trauma. Hypothermia can be difficult to recognize early, and it becomes life-threatening once body temperature drops too far. Medical groups recommend planning ahead, dressing in layers, limiting exposure, and checking on vulnerable neighbors.

• Use generators only outdoors, at least 20 feet from the home, and never in enclosed areas.
• If using alternative heat sources, ensure proper ventilation and keep flammable items away.
• Watch for signs of carbon monoxide exposure (dizziness, nausea, weakness) and seek fresh air and emergency help immediately.
• Prevent falls: wear traction-friendly footwear, use salt/sand on walkways, and take slower steps on ice.

During big storms, the emergency department often sees a predictable pattern: falls, crashes, and preventable poisonings from unsafe heating and power choices.

Officials stress that many storm-related deaths and hospitalizations are preventable with basic precautions—especially around generators, improvised heating, and travel decisions during the worst conditions.