SAFE HOME GENERATOR USE

Running a generator in a storm-devastated area is a safe way to power and light a home - but only if you apply a healthy dose of common sense and follow the generator manufacturers instructions.

Even with safety in mind, though, generating your own power is not without its risks.

For one thing, home generators produce carbon monoxide (CO) in their exhaust, which can easily asphyxiate a person should the fumes enter a house through an open window or door. The CO gas, a byproduct of combustion, is invisible and odorless. Even worse, it can linger in confined spaces and may be difficult to evacuate.

A typical 5.5-kilowatt home generator can produce the same amount of CO as six idling cars, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After the 2004 hurricane season, the CDC and the Florida Department of Health attributed 160 hospitalizations and at least five deaths to improper use of home generators.

"Never operate the generator anywhere inside the house, and that includes the garage, a carport or any other confined area. Keep the generator at least 10 ft. away from the house with its exhaust pointing away from the house. Also be mindful of wind direction as the wind can push CO into the house. With sustained winds from one direction, you may need to run the generator downwind of the house, and out of the envelope of low pressure created near the house that can pull exhaust fumes inside.

Regardless of whether you run a generator, every home should have a working CO detector.

Other Tips

The ideal setup for running a generator is to have an electrician evaluate the house's electrical system for proper grounding and polarity, and then install a generator transfer switch. A homeowner connects the generator to the transfer switch. From there, the generator's power is fed into the house's service panel and to the dedicated circuits that have been specifically wired to be powered by the generator. The transfer switch also prevents electricity from feeding back into the electrical grid that powers your neighborhood. This protects utility workers from encountering unexpected current coming from your house - a dangerous condition known as back feed.

To prevent electrical shock, support the generator cords off the ground or relocate them rather than allowing them to lay in puddles. Likewise, replace any cord with damaged insulation.

Do not store fuel in the house, and do not fuel the generator while running. Instead, shut the engine off, let it cool then refuel it. While inconvenient, this is far safer than fueling a generator adjacent to its red-hot muffler, especially if you spill a little gasoline (not uncommon, especially at night). Clean up any spilled gas before restarting the generator.