Safety Tips For Generators
Generators are useful when temporary or remote electric
power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The primary
hazards to avoid while using a generator are carbon monoxide
poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock
or electrocution, and fire.
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Every year, people die in incidents related to generator
use. Most of these incidents involve carbon monoxide (CO)
poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed
spaces.
Hazards From Carbon Monoxide
Never use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed
spaces. Generators produce high levels of CO very quickly.
Even if you can’t smell exhaust fumes, you may still
be exposed to CO. If you feel sick, dizzy, or weak while
using a generator, get to fresh air immediatedly. The CO
from generators can lead to full incapacitation and death.
Follow these safety tips to protect against CO poisoning:
- NEVER use a generator indoors or in partially-enclosed
areas.
- Follow the instruction manual that comes with the generator.
- Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms
with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer’s
installation instructions.
Electrical Hazards
Follow these tips to protect against shock and electrocution:
- Keep the generator dry. Also, dry your hands if wet
before touching the generator.
- Plug appliances directly into the generator. Or, use
a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated
(in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected
appliance loads.
- Never power the house wiring by plugging the generator
into a wall outlet. This is an extremely dangerous practice
that presents an electrocution risk to utility workers
and neighbors served by the same utility transformer.
- For power outages, permanently installed stationary
generators are better suited for providing backup power
to the home as even a properly connected portable generator
can become overloaded resulting in overheating or stressing
the generator components, possibly leading to a generator
failure.
Fire Hazards
Following these tips can prevent fires:
- Never store fuel for your generator near a fuel-burning
appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage.
If the fuel is spilled or the container is not sealed
properly, invisible vapors from the fuel can travel along
the ground and can be ignited by the appliance’s
pilot light or by arcs from electric switches in the appliance.
- Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let
it cool down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could
ignite.
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