As the winter frost thaws across the United States, millions of homeowners are heading to their garages to kickstart the 2026 spring gardening season. It’s a familiar ritual: pulling out the lawn mower, dusting off the leaf blower, and prepping the hedge trimmer for that first weekend of yard work.
However, some gardening enthusiasts have a dangerous habit that could prove fatal: starting or repairing fuel-powered equipment inside the garage. While it may seem convenient to "test the engine" before heading out to the lawn, you are inviting an invisible, odorless, and tasteless killer into your home—Carbon Monoxide (CO).
A Deadly Trend: Recent 2025 Cases
The danger isn't theoretical; it is a recurring tragedy. In 2025, a man in Germantown, Wisconsin, lost his life when a gas-powered generator was operated in a garage after a power outage. These tragedies highlight a grim reality: internal combustion engines—whether in a car, a generator, or a lawn mower—can produce lethal levels of CO in minutes.
Source: https://cbs58.com/news/2-hospitalized-after-high-levels-of-co-detected-at-germantown-home
Why Small Engines are Big Threats
Many believe that a small lawn mower engine isn't as dangerous as a car. In reality, small engines often lack the sophisticated emission controls (like catalytic converters) found in modern vehicles. This means they can emit higher concentrations of CO per unit of fuel burned.
Critical Safety Rules for Your Spring Maintenance
Never Start Indoors (Even with the Door Open): Opening the garage door is not enough to guarantee safety. CO can be trapped by air pockets or sucked into the house through the "chimney effect" before it ever exits the garage door. Always move equipment at least 20 feet away from the house before pulling the starter cord.
Strategic Alarm Placement: Most CO poisonings from garages happen because the gas migrates into living areas. You should install a CO detector near the door leading from the garage to the house (such as a mudroom or laundry room). This acts as an early warning system before the gas reaches your bedrooms.
Recognize the Symptoms: CO poisoning is often mistaken for "spring allergies" or the flu. If you feel sudden headaches, dizziness, or nausea while working in or near your garage, get to fresh air immediately.
Your Plug-in Portable Defense: The Siterwell CO Detector
Safety shouldn't be complicated or confined to one wall. For homeowners who spend time in the garage, workshop, or traveling during spring break, the Siterwell 10-Year Lifespan Plug-in Portable CO Detector provides the ultimate peace of mind.
Plug-and-Play Mobility: Simply plug it into a standard outlet near your garage entrance or take it with you in your RV.
A Decade of Protection: With a 10-year sensor life, you won't have to worry about replacements for a long time.
Real-time Monitoring: The clear digital display shows you exactly what’s happening in the air before it becomes a danger.
Don’t let a simple spring chore turn into a family tragedy. Respect the engine, work outdoors, and ensure your home is protected by the latest in detection technology.
