If You Have a Generator, A New Louisiana Law Could Save Your Life

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With the 2022 hurricane upon us, a lot of local residents are thinking about storm preparation.  Naturally, that means that folks who don't already have a generator are most likely considering one to ensure that they'll be ready if the power goes out for an extended amount of time.  While having a generator may ease some worries, they can be extremely dangerous.  To that end, a new bill working its way through the state's legislature could make the prospect of an emergency power source much safer.

According to a report from FOX 8 LIVE, House Bill 293 would require any home in the state of Louisiana that has a generator professionally installed to also have a functioning carbon monoxide detector.

Because of the danger of carbon monoxide leaking into the home from the generator's exhaust, the detector would alert residents in the home when the air was becoming unsafe to breathe.  When you consider that carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, it becomes clear that without the monitor - everyone in the home is at risk.

Now that the bill has passed in both the Louisiana Senate and House, it only needs a signature from Governor John Bel Edwards to become a law.  Once Edwards signs, the law would go into effect on January 1st of 2023.