A lot of people don't know the dangers of improperly using a portable generator. Below I list some portable generator safety tips to follow.
- Do not run a generator inside homes or garages. Deadly levels of CO quickly build up and linger for hours.
- Follow manufacturer operating & maintenance instructions before operating.
- Place the generator far enough away to prevent CO from being drawn inside. Direct the exhaust away from occupied spaces.
- Install and maintain new CO alarms in your home.
- Test batteries monthly. Smoke alarms cannot detect CO.
- Get to fresh air right away if you start to feel dizzy or weak.
- Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. Never add gasoline to a hot or running portable generator.
- If gasoline spills, wait until it evaporates before starting engine.
- Always use fresh gas in your generator. If you do not plan to use your generator in 30 days, stabilize the gas with fuel stabilizer.
- Never store fuel in your home. Flammable liquids should be stored outside in properly-labeled, non-glass safety containers.
- Don't store generators or fuel near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a gas water heater in a garage.
- To reduce the risk of fire keep at least 5 feet of clearance on all sides of generator including overhead.
- o not use generators in the rain. They pose a risk of shock and electrocution.
- Operate the generator under an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water cannot reach it or puddle under it.
- Dry your hands, if wet, before touching the generator.
- Connect appliances to the generator using heavy-duty extension cords that are specifically designed for outdoor use.
- Make sure the wattage rating for each cord exceeds the total wattage of all appliances connected to it.
- Make sure your extension cords are long enough to run the generator far away from windows, doors and vents.
- Protect the cord from getting pinched or crushed. Coiled cords can get hot, always uncoil cords and lay them in flat open locations.
- Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as "back feeding.”
NOTE: "Back feeding" is extremely dangerous and presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices. If you are connecting a generator into your home electrical system, have a qualified electrician install a power transfer switch.