Must-Know Tips for Safely Using a Portable Generator
Severe weather events like hurricanes and strong thunderstorms could knock out your electricity in an instant. High wind and heavy rain can impact power lines and cut your utilities for hours or days. Even non-disaster outages from planned rolling blackouts can shut off energy to your business and leave you in the dark.
A portable power generator may seem like a simple solution for getting emergency electricity when the lights go out. However, this device can pose serious health risks if improperly used. Learning how to safely use a portable generator can help save your life. Follow these critical portable generator safety tips to keep yourself, your family and your workforce healthy ahead of your next power outage.
Respect the Risks of the “Silent Killer,” Carbon Monoxide
A running portable generator produces carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas. Despite its invisible appearance, the gas can result in impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion and nausea at high concentrations according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Inhaling too much of the gas or inhaling it for too long depletes the body’s oxygen. Ultimately, carbon monoxide poisoning can be lethal. The gas is dangerous for all people, but certain groups are at a higher risk of severe impacts, including the elderly and young children.
If operating a portable generator, take precautions to prevent severe health impacts from this “silent killer,” carbon monoxide. As a first step, read your specific generator’s operating manual and follow the manufacturer’s guidance. The manual should offer tailored instructions for your particular unit as well as general safety guidance.
When placing your generator, know that carbon monoxide from the machine can quickly build up in sealed locations. As a result, only run the device outside in a well-ventilated area. Never operate the equipment in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, including areas close to your home, like attached garages. Consumer Reports recommends running the generator at least 20 feet from your building and pointing the exhaust away from your location.
Even when running the generator outside, be mindful of open windows or doors where the poisonous gas could drift inside. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) notes that indoor fans are not enough to rid your home or commercial property of accumulating carbon monoxide.
To help identify dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in living spaces, install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors inside. The detectors will sound an alarm when they sense higher-than-normal levels of the gas. However, read your detector’s manual for specific guidance and test the device regularly to ensure it is working properly.
If you experience any signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, move to fresh air as quickly as possible. From the well-ventilated location, contact health professionals for emergency guidance and assistance.
Plug Into Electrical Safety
In addition to respecting the dangers of carbon monoxide, focus on electrical safety to prevent portable generator disasters. When selecting the type of portable generator for your home or business, ensure you choose one that at least meets your expected wattage needs. Consider the different appliances you would want to power with your generator and note their wattages. Using more appliances than your generator can handle could result in overloading and damaging the device.
Be aware that some appliances need more wattage for the first few seconds when they are powered on, which is referred to as starting wattage. Account for both the starting and running wattages when determining what your generator will safely power.
You can also practice electrical safety when handling power cords and appliances. You can plug some of your appliances directly into the generator’s outlets. However, when needed, use heavy-duty extension cords made for outdoor use that allow the appliances to reach the generator. Check that the cords are well-maintained and meet the wattage requirements for your use.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns of never plugging the generator directly into your building’s standard wall outlets. This process, called “backfeeding,” can pose serious electrical risks to you and surrounding properties. Consult your owner’s manual or an electrician for guidance on properly connecting your generator, such as through the use of a transfer switch.
To further prevent the risk of electrical disasters occurring, ensure your equipment and water do not mix. This means practicing safe generator placement. Do not run the generator in the rain, only handle it with fully dried hands and avoid operating it on top of puddles or standing water. A wet generator could lead to an increased electrical shock risk and damage to the mechanical parts.
Refuel the Right Way
A portable generator’s hazards extend beyond the device itself to the fuel used to power the machinery. Use the correct kind for your equipment as outlined in the owner’s manual, whether diesel, gasoline or propane, for example.
When refueling, first unplug the generator. Don’t immediately pour in fuel, as the machine will be hot. The heat from the generator can cause the highly flammable fuel vapors to ignite and spark a fire. After the machine has fully cooled down, check that you’re away from any other heat sources before refueling as well. Refuel outdoors and use a funnel to pour the liquid into the machine to help prevent spilling.
When preparing for a catastrophe like a hurricane or making a disaster plan for your commercial property, you will likely want to store backup fuel. When storing fuel, be sure to keep it in a safe, clearly labeled container away from living spaces. Your local area may limit the amount of gasoline or other fuel you can store on your property, so verify any restrictions before stocking up.
Take caution to keep the fuel in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources and far from things that may cause combustion with the fuel fumes, such as stoves, open flames and gas-powered appliances. Lastly, be aware that fuel does have a shelf life and you should not use degraded fuel to power machinery.
Prepare to Power Up Properly
Following these tips can help you keep yourself and those around you safe when you need to power up a portable generator. By reading your manual, respecting the dangers of carbon monoxide, practicing electrical safety and refueling your equipment with caution, you can securely power up appliances in the aftermath of the next storm.
For temporary power support for your commercial property following a disaster event like a hurricane, you can also contact a company equipped to safely deliver, install and maintain a temporary generator for you.
A company like Cotton Logistics has the skilled manpower and commercial-grade equipment to give emergency power to your property with portable power support services. With Cotton Logistics’s temporary power, you can operate lights, fans, refrigerators, computers and more, even when your community’s power is gone. Other temporary assets can also keep your business moving after a devastating event like a hurricane.
For steady, safe electricity to meet your emergency or temporary needs, call Cotton Logistics today at 877.427.2947, or visit the website and power up with confidence!