Safety Tips for Portable, Stand-by
Generators Provided by the Energy Education Council
W
hen Superstorm Sandy knocked out power to millions on the East Coast last fall, many of those affected turned to portable, standby
generators to help keep food safe, lights on, and safety and medical equipment operating. Te growing populari- ty of emergency generators has resulted in several million being placed in homes and small businesses across the nation. However, only a small percentage are hooked up or
used correctly.
SafeElectricity.org urges consumers to understand proper generator safety steps. “Generators can be a lifesaver for some and can im-
prove the quality of life aſter a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake,” explains Molly Hall, executive director of the Safe Electricity program. “How- ever, it’s critical that proper safety precautions be taken to prevent accidents that could affect you, a family member, neighbor, or utility lineworker.” Generators can be temporarily or permanently in-
stalled. A permanent generator is wired into a house by a qualified electrician using a transfer switch. Tis protects you, your neighbors, and repair crews from electricity backfeeding onto power lines. Tis can seriously injure anyone near those lines, especially co-op crews working to restore power. A temporary generator fired by gasoline or diesel fuel should not be attached to a circuit breaker, fuse, or outlet. Improper use of a standby generator can lead to injury
or death. When using a generator,
SafeElectricity.org urges you to follow these tips to keep you and your family safe: • Read and follow all manufacturer operating instruc- tions to properly ground the generator. Be sure you understand them before starting it up.
• Standby generators should have a transfer safety switch installed by a professional. Portable generators should never be plugged directly 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 confined area, such as a garage. Generators produce gases, including deadly carbon monoxide. Tey require proper ventilation.
• Remember, when venturing outside aſter a severe storm, stay away from downed power lines and be
Portable generators are helpful during an extended power outage, but they can be extremely dangerous if not used properly. Souce:
SafeElectricity.com
June 2013 - 9
alert to the possibility that tree limbs or debris may hide an electrical hazard. Assume that any dangling wires you encounter are electrical, and treat all downed or hanging power lines as if they are en- ergized. Warn others to stay away and contact the electric utility.
• Generators pose electrical risks, especially when op- erated in wet conditions. Use a generator only when necessary when the weather creates wet or moist conditions. Protect the generator by operating it un- der an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water cannot form puddles or drain under it. Always ensure that your hands are dry before touch- ing the generator.
• When you refuel the generator, make sure the engine is cool to prevent a fire, should the tank overflow.
• Tere should be nothing plugged into the generator when you turn it on. Tis prevents a surge from dam- aging your generator and appliances.
• Be sure to keep children and pets away from the gen- erator, which could burn them.
For more safety information on the use of portable
and standby generators and safety aſter a storm, go to
SafeElectricity.org.
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