Police have issued a safety warning regarding the use of portable generators following reports of a death in Co Antrim, which is believed to be linked to carbon monoxide exposure from a generator.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning near the Ballymacrea Road area of Portrush, shortly after the region was hit by Storm Éowyn, which left thousands of homes without power. Emergency services responded to the scene, and the death is currently being investigated as potentially connected to fumes emitted by a portable generator.
Thousands Without Power in Northern Ireland
As of 8 p.m. on Sunday, Northern Ireland Electricity reported that around 74,000 homes remained without power, although approximately 211,000 homes had their electricity restored over the past 48 hours. The widespread outages were caused by Storm Éowyn, which hit Northern Ireland on Friday morning. The storm forced many residents to rely on portable generators to power their homes, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Health and Safety Advice
In response to the incident, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) issued a stark warning about the dangers of portable generators. They stressed that carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, can be fatal, and urged residents to take precautions when using generators.
HSENI’s advice includes the following guidelines:
Never use a generator indoors or in partially enclosed spaces, such as homes, garages, or crawl spaces, even if there is some ventilation.
Avoid operating generators near open windows or doors, as this can still lead to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide indoors.
Install battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms in your home to detect dangerous gas levels. Ensure the alarms are placed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service have been contacted for further comment on the situation.
This tragic incident highlights the importance of taking safety measures when using portable generators, especially in emergency situations where power outages are common.
