There are so many things that run on electricity. We’ve come to rely on it as part of our daily lives. So, a power out might be a major problem. Anticipating that fact, you might want to get an emergency generator to be prepared for power outages. While generators are helpful when it comes to keeping the lights on or preventing the food from going bad, they can be dangerous if they’re not used properly.
11 tips for emergency generator safety
1. Don’t run the generator in an enclosed space.
If you have a gas-powered generator, make sure that you don’t use it in an enclosed space. That generator is going to throw off some carbon monoxide (CO). And carbon monoxide is not good. It’s actually really dangerous. As in could-cause-death dangerous. Don’t play around with CO.
2. Keep an eye on the oil level.
You’ve also got to check how much oil the generator has on a regular basis. And be sure to check the oil level before you use it. Oil is kind of important. So, don’t neglect the oil level of the generator.
3. Let the engine cool before refueling it.
You also need to let the engine cool off before refueling it. Otherwise, your refueling mission may not go quite as expected. Take care and ensure that the generator is entirely cool before trying to add any fuel.
4. Keep the generator away from other objects.
It’s also important to remember that generators get really hot. So, keep the generator away from other items. Give it a bubble of personal space so that the generator’s heat doesn’t hurt anything. It’s not that it would mean to hurt anything, but … it might on accident. Don’t let the generator cause any mischief.
5. Make sure the generator stays dry.
Generators and water don’t exactly mix very well. You probably don’t want to let your generator get wet. That can help you avoid water damage. It can also help you avoid an electrical hazard. So, make sure to keep the generator away from water.
6. Don’t use appliances that have gotten wet.
Remember what we said about generators and water not mixing? Yeah, that applies to the appliances you’re using, too. You probably don’t want to plug in an appliance that has gotten wet – not a good plan. Just don’t do it.
7. Be aware of extension cord hazards.
It’s also important to be aware of the potential hazards of using extension cords. You could see a voltage drop if you’re using an extension cord that’s too long. You could also see a voltage drop if you’re using a cord with a wire size that is too small. So, all in all, be careful if you’re using extension cords.
8. Plug in generators carefully.
When you’re connecting your generator, connect it directly to the appliances. Don’t connect it directly to the home electrical supply box. That’s a no-no. You have to be really careful with how you connect generators and appliances.
9. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Grounding the generator is something else you need to be concerned about. When it comes to grounding the generator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. They’re the ones who know how to do that safely. Reading instructions is important. Don’t skip that step.
10. Choose the outlet carefully.
It’s also important to select your outlet carefully. It needs to be an appropriate outlet with the proper voltage. That sort of thing really matters when it comes to generators and electricity. You can’t just plug the thing in anywhere.
(Also, start running the generator before you turn on the AC circuit or before plugging in the appliance.)
11. Understand some electricity terms.
It can be helpful to understand some basic electricity. Maybe you have a 200-watt generator. An appliance that needs 120 volts and uses 10 amps requires 1200 watts of power. By doing some quick calculations, you can see if your appliances can be used safely with your generator. (That way you can base it off the wattage rating.)
So, those are a few tips for using an emergency generator safely. Though you might find a generator extremely helpful, you also have to be careful. Generators can be dangerous.
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