When a natural disaster strikes power outages are all too common and generators can be a great investment for people who live and work in areas regularly affected by them. However there are some tips you should be aware of to make sure you are using your backup generator safely.
- Backup generators should never be used indoors or outside directly next to a window. Carbon monoxide is deadly and can build up from a running generator in improperly ventilated areas.
- If you are using a generator nearby a battery-operated carbon-monoxide detector can provide peace of mind and save lives.
- Generators are a piece of emergency equipment and can sit for extended periods of time between uses. Regular inspections should be scheduled to make sure that everything is in working order and ready to go when needed.
- Many power outages are caused by storms and heavy rainfall. Generators do not operate well when wet and can malfunction and cause fires. Be sure the generator is in a place that it can stay dry and work properly.
- Generators have the ability to put out enough energy to power your house and even when turned off they can continue to carry an electrical charge. If a generator is in need of repairs often times it is better to leave fixing it to professionals who know how to avoid electric shock and electrocution.
