Portable Generator Safety Tips
Portable electrical generators provide a top notch source of power, but if improperly put in or operated, can become deadly.
To stay families safe, The Electrical protection Foundation International (ESFI) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offer a helpful new video and recommend taking the following precautions:
Contact a licensed electrician to set up your generator to make certain it meets local codes. Do not attach turbines instantly to family wiring without an appropriate transfer switch installed.
Power from turbines connected directly to household wiring can backfeed along energy lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including lineworkers making repairs. Other tips include:
Make sure your generator is correctly grounded. If treated with care, the best portable generators will provide many years of service.
Keep the generator dry. Make sure extension cords used with generators are rated for the load, and are free of cuts and worn insulation and have three-pronged plugs.
[BannerCampaign id=1]
Do not overload the generator. A moveable generator should be used simplest when necessary and only to energy essential equipment or home equipment.
Never function the generator in enclosed or partially enclosed areas. Use carbon monoxide detectors in nearby enclosed spaces to monitor ranges. Generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly, which can be deadly. Use a floor fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to lend a hand save you electrocutions and electrical shock accidents.
Make sure gasoline for the generator is stored safely, away from living areas, in properly labeled containers and away from fuel-burning appliances. prior to re-fueling, always flip the generator off and let it cool down. Turn off all appliances powered by the generator before shutting down the generator.
Keep children away from portable generators at all times.
Electricity is a powerful tool. It can also be a lethal hazard. Better safety standards have reduced electrical risks that cause deaths, injuries and property damage. But good safety habits are still the best prevention against electrical hazards.
