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Safety tips for portable, standby generators Safety First:


When major storms knock out power to a wide area, many of those affected turn to portable, standby generators to help keep food safe, lights on, and safe- ty and medical equipment operating. However, only a small percentage are hooked up or used correctly. SafeElec- tricity.org urges consumers to under- stand proper generator safety steps.


Generators can be temporarily or per- manently installed. A permanent gener- ator is wired into a house by a qualifi ed electrician using a transfer switch. This protects you, your neighbors, and repair crews from electricity backfeeding onto power lines. This can seriously injure anyone near those lines, especially co- op crews working to restore power. A temporary generator fi red by gasoline or diesel fuel should not be attached to a circuit breaker, fuse or outlet.


The improper use of a standby gener- ator can lead to injury or death. When using a generator, www.SafeElectricity. org urges you to follow these tips to keep you and your family safe:


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• Read and follow all manufacturer operating instructions to properly ground the generator. Be sure you understand them before starting it.


• Standby generators should have a transfer safety switch installed by a professional. Portable generators should never be plugged direct- ly into a home outlet or electrical system—use an extension cord to plug appliances into an outlet on the generator.


• Never operate a generator in a con- fi ned area, such as a garage. Genera- tors produce gases, including deadly carbon monoxide. They require proper ventilation.


• Remember, when venturing outside after a severe storm, stay away from downed power lines and be alert to the possibility that tree limbs or debris may hide an electrical hazard. Assume any dangling wires you encounter are electrical, and treat all downed or hanging power lines as if they are energized. Warn others and contact the electric utility.


• Generators pose electrical risks, especially when operated in wet con- ditions. Use a generator only when necessary when the weather creates wet or moist conditions. Protect the generator by operating it under an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water cannot form puddles or drain under it. Always ensure your hands are dry before touching the generator.


• When you refuel the generator, make sure the engine is cool to prevent a fi re, should the tank overfl ow.


• When you turn it on, nothing should be plugged into the generator. This prevents a surge from damaging your generator and appliances.


• Be sure to keep children and pets away from the generator, which could burn them.


For more safety information on the use of portable and standby gener- ators and safety after a storm, go to www.SafeElectricity.org.


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