Regular generator maintenance is crucial for both reliability and safety. Here’s a fall reminder to inspect your generator, change the oil and air filters, and ensure your fuel is fresh so that it’s ready when you need it.
Home generators are important emergency survival tools, and they present serious risks like electrical shock or electrocution, fire, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Read through these safety reminders and ensure children and all household members are educated on the risks.
– Read and follow the instructions in the user’s manual. There’s important information about proper usage, location, connection, maintenance, and safety. Follow the instructions and review periodically.
– Carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using your generator, get to fresh air right away. Place carbon monoxide detectors on every floor, test the batteries frequently, and if an alarm goes off, get to fresh air quickly.
– Choose the location carefully. Keep portable generators outdoors, 20ft away from doors, vents, and windows. Direct the exhaust away from living or camping areas. Never use inside a garage, basement, crawlspace, or enclosed area.
– Keep dry. Operate a generator on a dry surface, under a canopy, and do not touch with wet hands. Do not operate in active rain or snow.
– Check on your generator during use. Even properly connected portable generators can become overloaded, resulting in overheating.
– Turn off the generator and let it cool before refueling.
– Store fuel in approved safety cans in a protected area away from living areas and away from fuel-burning appliances (like heaters or water heaters).
– Use heavy-duty outdoor-rated cords with no damage or fraying.
– Never try to power the house by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. If you want to permanently connect a generator to your home’s wiring, have an electrician install a power transfer switch that meets electrical codes in your area.
Keep your generator in working order and stay safe when using it too.
Sources: redcross.org & esfi.org
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