Balvin Thorpe | Jamaica cannot afford another preventable generator death

The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has revealed more than just infrastructural damage – it has uncovered a dangerous pattern of preventable household tragedies.

In the weeks following the storm, the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) reported that about seven people died from suspected carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning after using generators during power outages.

Meanwhile, as recently as mid-2024, the Ministry of Health and Wellness confirmed cases of CO poisoning linked to generator use.

Globally, unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning remains a serious yet preventable health threat. The latest data from the Global Burden of Disease Study shows that in 2021, approximately 28,900 people died worldwide from unintentional CO poisoning, leading to a global mortality rate of about 0.366 per 100,000 people.

Given these facts, Jamaicans need to realize that unsafe generator use isn’t just a minor issue; it can be deadly. As the JIE, we emphasize that generator safety should be regarded as a matter of public health, engineering standards, and national duty.

AVOID THESE

The following practices must be avoided at all times. Each carries a high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or other hazards:

• Never operate a gasoline-powered generator indoors, whether inside a house, garage, shop, storage room, or any other enclosed or semi-enclosed space.

• Never position a generator near windows, doors, vents, or other openings where exhaust fumes could be drawn into living areas.

• Never run a generator while people are sleeping inside the building. CO is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, so victims might become incapacitated without ever waking.

• Never use a generator during heavy rain or flooding without proper shelter and grounding. Exposure to water increases the risk of electrocution or equipment failure.

• Never “back-feed” or connect a generator directly into a home’s wiring without a proper transfer switch and professional installation – this poses a fire risk, risk to utility workers, and may bypass critical safety protections.

• Never store or handle fuel (gasoline) inside residential buildings, or refuel a generator while it is running or still hot, as fumes and hot surfaces can ignite.

These are not optional precautions. Each reflects a preventable risk that has repeatedly led to injury and death, both in Jamaica and internationally.

SAFE PRACTICES

If a generator must be used during power outages or for other legitimate purposes, the following engineering-based safety protocols should be strictly followed: -

• Always place the generator outdoors, at a safe distance from any building, at least 20–25 feet (≈ 6–8 meters) away from the home, ideally downwind of doors and windows.

• Ensure exhaust is directed away from living areas and that fumes cannot enter through any openings such as doors, windows, vents, or crawlspaces.

• Install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors/alarm units in every home, especially bedrooms and sleeping areas. These inexpensive devices save lives by detecting CO before it reaches a fatal concentration.

• Use only heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords when connecting appliances to a generator. Avoid makeshift wiring or overloading circuits, which risk fire or electric shock.

• Refuel only when the generator is completely shut off and cooled, and store fuel outdoors, away from heat sources or ignition points.

• Keep the generator dry. Use a canopy or a sheltered, well-ventilated area to run it safely in the rain, but never within an enclosed space.

• Have a manual and safety instructions, and ensure all household members understand generator risks and safe practices before use.

BEYOND INDIVIDUAL PRECAUTION

While individual responsibility is critical, the scale and recurrence of generator-related deaths in Jamaica demand coordinated national action:

• A public awareness campaign, led by health, disaster, and engineering authorities, aims to educate citizens about the deadly risks of improper generator use – especially before and after storms.

• Mandatory safety labels and user instructions on all imported generators sold locally, including safe operating distances from buildings, ventilation requirements, and hazard warnings.

• Encouragement (or regulation) of CO-detector installation in residential buildings, especially rental properties, as a standard safety requirement.

• Guidance from disaster-management bodies and utility providers (especially during storm warnings and power-outage periods) to disseminate generator-safety rules proactively.

• Integration of generator-safety education into school curricula, community outreach, and local disaster-preparedness plans, to ensure long-term behaviour change.

Engineering is not only about infrastructure and machines; it is fundamentally about protecting human life. The deaths we have already seen in Jamaica from carbon monoxide poisoning are preventable.

The JIE stands firm: Jamaica must treat generator safety as a national engineering priority. We must not allow ignorance, fear, or desperation to take more of our citizens. This is an appeal for common-sense action, responsible leadership, and community vigilance.

Every Jamaican deserves a safe home. Every family deserves to survive a storm. Every life matters.

We can prevent the next tragedy, but only if we act now.

Balvin Thorpe, PhD, is the president Jamaica Institution of Engineers and vice dean of Faculty of Engineering and Computing, University of Technology, Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com