Safety tips for using portable generators and appliances

As Hurricane Milton crosses the state Thursday, widespread power outages are expected, and St. Johns County is no exception.

The county can expect low hurricane-force or high tropical storm-force winds Thursday, and intense flooding is expected from storm surge and heavy rain.

If you use a generator during a power outage, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and other post-storm hazards from portable generators.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CO poisoning from portable generators can kill families within minutes. Referred to as the invisible killer because it's colorless and odorless, CO poisoning from portable generators causes people to become unconscious before symptoms of nausea, dizziness or weakness that accompany the poisoning, take place.

The Centers for Disease Control documents more than 400 deaths each year in the U.S. from CO poisoning with almost one third of those deaths linked to portable generators.

Safety tips for using a portable generator post a power outage include: