Hurricane season is approaching and the government just issued a dire warning.
Americans could face invisible death in the aftermath of these storms.
And the federal government just made this terrifying announcement about hurricane season.
Government warns of “invisible killer” that takes hundreds of lives
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an urgent warning about the upcoming hurricane season that begins on June 1, 2025.
The CPSC revealed that dangers from hurricanes don’t end when the storm passes – in fact, some of the deadliest threats emerge in the aftermath when desperate families turn to portable generators during power outages.
“These storms bring along with them power, devastation and destruction of their own,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman. “However, the dangers associated with these storms do not end when the winds and rain subside. I urge all Americans to follow CPSC’s safety tips this hurricane season to do their best to be safe before, during and after the storms.”
The government warned about carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from portable generators, which they ominously labeled “the invisible killer” because it is colorless and odorless, and can kill entire families in minutes.
What makes carbon monoxide especially terrifying is that victims often don’t even realize they’re being poisoned until it’s too late – people become unconscious even before recognizing symptoms of nausea, dizziness, or weakness.
The CPSC warned that “CO poisoning claims the lives of hundreds of people each year.”
The silent threat that lurks after every hurricane
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through the end of November, and meteorologists are predicting another active season in 2025.
Families facing extended power outages often turn to portable generators without understanding the lethal risk they pose if used incorrectly. The government emphasized this makes the devastating effects of hurricanes even worse when preventable deaths occur during recovery.
“When we see these deaths occur from generators when the power is out, it makes the storm’s effects that much more devastating,” the CPSC stated.
What makes this threat so insidious is that many people place generators in garages, basements, or covered porches thinking that’s far enough away from living spaces – but this common mistake can prove fatal.
The CPSC issued a stark warning: “NEVER use a portable generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed or other enclosed spaces, even with the doors open. Opening doors or windows will not provide enough ventilation to prevent the buildup of lethal levels of CO.”
Instead, generators must be placed at least 20 feet away from homes and buildings with exhaust directed away from any place people might be.
More hidden dangers await hurricane survivors
Carbon monoxide isn’t the only threat hurricane survivors face. The CPSC warned about multiple life-threatening hazards that emerge after storms:
- Electrical shock from water-damaged appliances – the agency warned Americans to never touch wet appliances still connected to power sources, and to have professionals inspect all electrical systems before using them after flooding.
- Fire hazards from candles – with power outages leaving homes dark, many families turn to candles, creating a serious fire risk. The government recommends battery-operated alternatives instead.
- Cooking dangers – desperate for hot meals, some people bring outdoor grilling equipment inside, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. The CPSC specifically warned against using charcoal grills in garages, even with doors open.
- Gas leaks – damaged gas lines pose an extreme explosion risk. The government advised that anyone who smells gas should immediately evacuate without using any electronics and call authorities from outside.
The CPSC urged Americans to prepare now by installing working carbon monoxide and smoke alarms on every level of their homes and especially outside bedrooms. Interconnected alarms are best since when one sounds, they all sound.
“Working smoke and CO alarms save lives!” the agency emphasized.
The government also recommended looking for portable generators with automatic CO shut-off safety features. Models certified to the latest PGMA G300-2023 and UL 2201 safety standards can reduce deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning by 86% and 100% respectively, according to the CPSC.
Hurricane season will be here before we know it, and these invisible threats could be more deadly than the storms themselves.
