Portable Generator safety

[LetMyPeopleVote]

My husky/aussie rescue got out yesterday and due to AT&T being down, the GPS did not work. My youngest child and I had to search the neighborhood with no cell phone coverage to keep track of where the other was. During this hunt, I saw over a dozen homes with portable generators in front of the garage with the garage door open. This is not safe with a portable generator.

Link to tweet

Generators emit carbon monoxide — a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal if inhaled.

The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management shared some tips to follow when using generators:

Only use generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents.
Never operate a generator inside a home, garage, or any enclosed space.
Avoid improvised heating: Do not use charcoal grills, camp stoves, or gas ovens to heat your home. These devices can produce dangerous levels of CO.
Check CO detectors: Ensure that your carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly. If you do not have a CO detector, it is crucial to install one as soon as possible.
Recognize CO poisoning symptoms: Symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion

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It is important to use portable generators carefully. I have a permanent generator and I have CO detectors in the home.

We found the aussie/husky rescue fairly close to the house after searching most of the neighborhood. She had conned a kid to feeding her cheese.

[jmbar2]

1. Watch out for neighbors with open windows as well!

When I went through Ike a few years ago, we were without power for about 10 days.

During that time, the neighbors all around me ran generators nearly full time. The fumes came into my open windows and doors, forcing me outside with my dog multiple times.

Was one of the reasons I decided to leave for Oregon.

[usonian]

2. FEMA publishes a short generator safety data sheet.

I must have, and must have posted, a lot more, but the first rule of staying alive is GET THE BASICS RIGHT.

https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/use-generators-safely-home-0

In an electrical sense, DO NOT hook the generator into the home power circuits. Do so only with a transfer switch.

Like others in the mountains, I have a permanent backup generator with an automatic transfer switch.

This article is a good start. When in doubt, consult an electrician.

[getagrip_already]

3. And please dont just wire one into an outlet in your house..

Generators need to be properly wired with isolation switches if you are going to connect them to premises wiring.

The old redneck trick of just using a double ended plug and plugging one end into the genie and the other into the wall is both stupid and dangerous.

You could end up killing a line worker if they think a line from your house is dead when it's not.

Or you could just start a fire or electrocute yourself.

Do it correctly.