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Portable Generators: Self-Reported Ownership for Use during Power Outages

Summary Indicator Report Data View Options

Portable Generators: Self-Reported Ownership for Use during Power Outages by County, New Jersey, 2014-2016

Why Is This Important?

Little is known about the percentage of NJ residents who have purchased portable generators for use during power outages. Portable back-up generators produce colorless odorless carbon monoxide (CO) gas which can sicken or kill residents if generator exhaust is not properly vented. CO poisoning claims the lives of hundreds of people every year and makes thousands more ill. Important guidelines: PORTABLE GENERATORS: * Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open. * Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows. CO DETECTORS: * Install battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home. * Check CO detectors regularly to be sure they are functioning properly.

Definition

Percent of NJ residents who self-report owning at least one portable generator for use to provide electricity to their home during a power outage.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health
(http://www.nj.gov/health/chs/njbrfs/)

How the Measure is Calculated

Numerator:Number of people age 18 years and older self-reporting owning at least one portable generator for use to provide electricity to their home during a power outage.
Denominator:Total number of persons aged 18 and older interviewed during the same survey period.

Available Services

Video, Your generator: How close is too close, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkO9PK4JvJI&list=TLcIY5jUMAafYb3jJO3XPlBf1bSE-Vn4mf] CDC Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics, [https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html]

Health Program Information

Information on whether your generator requires a permit from NJDEP: [http://www.state.nj.us/dep/enforcement/docs/air-permit-applicability-determination-fema-letterhead-02082016.pdf]

Indicator Data Last Updated On 02/06/2020, Published on 05/24/2024
Environmental Public Health Tracking Project, New Jersey Department of Health, PO Box 369, Trenton, NJ 08625-0369, e-mail: nj.epht@doh.nj.gov (https://www.nj.gov/health/epht)