Tips On How To Use A Portable Generator Safely
Many folks are still without power. Crews are working hard to restore power and a lot of people have been using portable generators to keep refrigerators operating and plugging in…
By Jillian Cain Photography
Many folks are still without power. Crews are working hard to restore power and a lot of people have been using portable generators to keep refrigerators operating and plugging in lamps. Safe Electricity has the following tips to use portable generators safely:
Portable or permanently installed standby generators can come in handy during long-term power outages. However, if you do not know how to use them properly, they can be dangerous.
Contact a qualified vendor or electrician to help you determine what generator is best suited to:
- Operate it outdoors in an area with plenty of ventilation. Never run a generator in a home or garage. Generators give off deadly carbon monoxide.
- Do not plug a generator into the wall to avoid back feed. Use heavy-duty extension cords to connect appliances to the outlets on the generator.
- Turn the generator on before plugging appliances to it. Once the generator is running, turn your appliances and lights on one at a time to avoid overloading the unit. Remember, generators are for temporary usage; prioritize your needs.
- Generators pose electrical risks, especially when operated in wet conditions. Use a generator only when necessary when the weather creates wet or moist conditions. Protect the generator by operating it under an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water cannot form puddles or drain under it. Always ensure your hands are dry before touching the generator.
- Be sure the generator is turned off and cool before fueling it.
- Keep children and pets away from portable generators. Many generator components are hot enough to burn you during operation.
Barbara FarragherEditor
Barbara knew she was destined for airwaves when she got her first big broadcasting break: announcing the news over the loudspeaker in the middle school principal’s office. Fast forward a few (years and now she’s meeting the crushes she had way back (hellooo Rick Springfield) when she introduces them on stages big and small. Music has been a constant companion throughout her life. She and her husband have a voracious live music appetite and plan family vacations around concerts. She also frequently lends her voice to national commercials (such as Entenmanns Little Bites). She also has a spoiled rotten rescue dog named Mia, and two daughters.
