During power outages, generators can be lifesavers. They’ll help supply light to your home, ensuring easy mobility around the house, and provide safety from burglars.
Also, these machines will help power appliances like fridges, heaters, and air conditioners. This way, you can prevent food from getting spoiled and make sure everyone in the house is comfortable until the electricity is restored.
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How To Safely Utilize A Generator
Although they can be lifesavers, generators can also be hazardous if used in the wrong way. The risks associated with these machines are fire, electric shock, and carbon monoxide (CO) exposure.
Most generator accidents are caused by improper use. However, some also happen because of the machines themselves are defective. In this article, you’ll find four helpful tips on how to use your generator safely.
By following them, you’ll be able to steer clear of any risks and ensure that you and your entire family are safe from potential accidents.
However, to avoid the dangers that defective machines pose, you’ve got to ensure that you purchase your generator from a reputable manufacturer or seller. If you’re buying your equipment from a local dealer, check whether they’ve been in operation for at least several years.
Besides that, make sure they’re reputable within your area. However, if you’re purchasing your generator online, you can click here to find high-quality options.
Alternatively, look for dealers with excellent customer reviews. If you identify a seller with many positive comments from their clients, it might mean that their generators are superior. Therefore, you can consider buying their products.
With that said, here are the tips worth trying so you’ll be able to use your generator safely:
1) Avoid Operating The Generator Near Or Inside Your House
Generators produce carbon monoxide when running. This gas is usually odorless and colorless but highly poisonous and can cause death if inhaled excessively. It’s therefore advisable to avoid operating your generator near or inside your house to prevent CO buildup in your home.
What’s more, you shouldn’t run the machine in your garage or basement regardless of its type. Instead, always ensure that these machines are kept and used outdoors where CO can be released without getting inside your house.
Apart from that, open your doors and windows when the generator is on. If you have a fan, see to it that it’s running. This’ll allow for sufficient airflow and help you avoid CO buildup in the house.
If you feel weak, dizzy, or sick when the machine is on, it might mean there’s excess CO inside the building. It’s recommended to step out of the house immediately to get plenty of fresh air.
Consider buying CO alarms and installing them in different areas of your house. By doing so, you’ll get warnings whenever CO is in excessive amounts and get to address the issue right away.
2) Always Turn The Generator Off Before Refueling
It’s also advisable to turn off the generator and let it cool down before refueling it. This is to ensure that gasoline doesn’t spill on any of the hot parts, preventing accidental ignition or even explosions.
Once your generator runs out of fuel, turn the motor off and leave the machine as is for at least 15 minutes. After that period, it’ll be much safer to refill the tank.
3) Invest In A Transfer Switch
Connecting your generator directly to the house’s electrical panel is dangerous and even illegal in most states. It’s because this practice puts you, your family members, neighbors, and power workers in danger of electrocution.
Instead of that, it’d be better to get yourself a switch transfer. This device will ensure that you can safely use your house’s wiring system to provide power to appliances like fridges using your generator. However, for proper connection and safety, hire an experienced electrician to install the transfer switch for you.
4) Ensure Regular Servicing
Regular servicing is also essential since this’ll help ensure that the generator runs efficiently whenever you need it. This practice could also enable you to prevent the occurrence of any unfortunate incidents. So that your machine remains in good condition at all times, make sure it’s serviced by a technician at least once a year.
During the process, the professional will thoroughly inspect your machine and repair it if necessary. They’ll check if its fuels lines are clogged, cracked, or torn as well. If they find any of those issues, they’ll provide the right solution to eliminate the risk of fuel spills that can cause fire when the equipment’s running.
Conclusion
A generator can offer you peace of mind should a power outage occur in your area. However, if not correctly used, this machine can be hazardous. Some of the dangers it poses are accidental fires, electrocution, and CO exposure that can lead to death.
To prevent such occurrences, just keep all of the tips above in mind. Although they sound simple, they’ll allow you to make the most of your generator without in the safest manner possible.
