Generators are a huge help during power outages before and after big storms like Hurricane Milton, but there are dangers that come with them.
Here are some generator safety tips:
- Generators should never run in the home
- Generators should be at least 20 feet away from your home
- Do not run generators from your garage or a balcony.
- The exhaust pipe should be directed away from your home.
- It is not safe to use a portable generator in the rain unless you have a canopy or cover.
- Gas-powered generators need to cool off before refueling
- Gasoline spilled on a hot engine can ignite and can burn.
- Don’t backfeed to your home, meaning to no try to power your home by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. This presents electrocution risks to utility workers served by the same transformer.
- For the future, if you haven't done so already, Look to purchase a generator with built in carbon monoxide safety technology. The device detects dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and turns off the machine when levels climb too high.
Be safe!