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Portable
Generator Safety
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Portable generators are useful when temporary
or remote electric power is needed, but they
also can be hazardous. The primary hazards to
avoid when using a generator are carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine
exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and
fire.
Every year, people die in incidents related
to portable generator use. Most of the
incidents associated with portable generators
reported to CPSC involve CO poisoning from
generators used indoors or in
partially-enclosed spaces.
Carbon Monoxide Hazards
NEVER use a generator in enclosed or
partially-enclosed spaces. Generators can
produce high levels of CO very quickly. When
you use a portable generator, remember that
you cannot smell or see CO. Even if you
can’t smell exhaust fumes, you may still be
exposed to CO.
If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak
while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT
AWAY. DO NOT DELAY. The CO from generators
can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and
death.
If you experience serious symptoms, get
medical attention immediately. Inform medical
staff that CO poisoning is suspected. If you
experienced symptoms while indoors, have
someone call the fire department to determine
when it is safe to re-enter the building.
Follow these safety tips to protect against
CO poisoning:
- NEVER use a generator indoors,
including in homes, garages, basements,
crawl spaces, and other enclosed or
partially-enclosed areas, even with
ventilation. Opening doors and windows or
using fans will not prevent CO build-up in
the home.
- Follow the instructions that come with
your generator. Locate the unit outdoors
and away from doors, windows, and vents
that could allow CO to come indoors.
- Install battery-operated CO alarms or
plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in
your home, according to the
manufacturer’s installation
instructions. The CO alarms should be
certified to the requirements of the
latest safety standards for CO alarms (UL
2034, IAS 6-96, or CSA 6.19.01).
- Test your CO alarms frequently and
replace dead batteries.
Electrical Hazards
Follow these tips to protect against shock
and electrocution:
- Keep the generator dry and do not use in
rain or wet conditions. To protect from
moisture, operate it on a dry surface
under an open, canopy-like structure. 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.
Check that the entire cord is free of cuts
or tears and that the plug has all three
prongs, especially a grounding pin.
- NEVER try to power the house
wiring by plugging the generator into a
wall outlet, a practice known as “back feeding.”
This is an extremely dangerous practice
that 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 must connect the generator to the
house wiring to power appliances, have a
qualified electrician install the
appropriate equipment in accordance with
local electrical codes. Or, check with
your utility company to see if it can
install an appropriate power transfer
switch.
- For power outages, permanently installed
stationary generators are better suited
for providing backup power to the home.
Even a properly connected portable
generator can become overloaded. This may
result in overheating or stressing the
generator components, possibly leading to
a generator failure.
Fire Hazards
Follow these tips to prevent fires:
- Never store fuel for your generator in
the home. Gasoline, propane, kerosene, and
other flammable liquids should be stored
outside of living areas in
properly-labeled, non-glass safety
containers. Do not store them 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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