FRUITPORT CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A Fruitport Township man is dead and his wife is in critical condition after a generator incident involving carbon monoxide, police say.
According to Fruitport Township Police, on Wednesday the couple called their daughter to tell her they weren't feeling well and planned to go to the hospital.
After hearing this, police say their daughter called 911 and the couple went into the garage.
Fruitport Township Police says the couple was unaware the generator in the garage was spewing carbon monoxide, filling the garage and likely spreading into their house.
When authorities arrived on the scene they said they found the 62-year-old man and 64-year-old woman collapsed in the driveway. The man was pronounced dead on the scene while the woman was talking but is in critical condition, according to police.
Police said their initial investigation did not uncover any evidence of foul play at this time, and the running generator in the garage appeared to be the cause of the noxious air both inside the garage and the residence.
The Fruitport Department of Public Safety recommends the following regarding the safe use of generators around your home:
- The garage may seem like a go-to place for running a portable generator, but it’s not a safe place to set one up.
- Place the generator on a flat, level surface at least 15 to 20 feet from any windows, doors, vents, or crawlspace entries. Aim the exhaust away from the building.
- Allow at least five feet of clearance on all sides of the generator while in operation.
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