Safety Tips for Your Portable Home Generator
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that is very dangerous to inhale. You should never keep your portable home generator in your garage or basement. Carbon monoxide from the generator exhaust can kill you in a matter of minutes. Also, generators should never be put near doors, windows, or vents because the fumes can enter them easily.
Cords
You should never plug your portable home generator directly into a wall outlet. Instead, you should use extension cords that are made especially for generators. Make sure the cords you buy are safe for the maximum wattage produced by the generators. You can safely plug appliances into these extension cords or directly into a generator outlet. Also, you should never cover generator cords with carpets or padding because they may build up heat and cause a fire. Be sure to inspect all cords for frays and exposed wiring periodically.
Fuel
Whether your portable home generator runs on diesel or gasoline, you should never try to refuel it while it is running. If you have just turned it off, allow the engine to cool down before refilling it with fuel. Spilling fuel on these hot surfaces can be very dangerous. Make sure to store your fuel in an appropriate container in a safe place. You should also be aware that fuel has a shelf-life. Gasoline can be stored for approximately six months, while diesel can last up to a year. If you plan on keeping it longer than that, you should add stabilizers to increase the shelf-life.
Weather Conditions
It is common for people to use their portable home generator during emergency conditions like hurricanes. You should try to put your generator in a dry place because they should never be wet while running. Also make sure you are not standing in water or damp spots on the ground when you’re starting it up. Be careful for putting it in places that may subject it to falling debris. If debris covers or restricts the air flow, the portable home gen
A portable home generator is a great asset to have for emergency situations. Just make sure you never run it indoors or in spots that will expose it to water and falling debris. You should also buy extension cords especially made for a portable home generator.
