Using a generator safely at home: What are Your Options?

A portable generator is most useful during a power outage, provided it is used correctly. Otherwise, it risks becoming dangerous. Use caution and follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly. For example, you should always hire an electrician to install this type of device and get advice on which model is right for your intended use. Here are some safety tips and warnings about generators. From Bellwood Rewinds  you can have the best advises now.

Installation of a generator

• First, verify that the product has all of the required safety labels.
• Make sure that the model chosen is suitable for the use you plan to make of it.
• Hire a qualified electrician to install the generator in a suitable location.
• Before operating the appliance, make sure that it is securely anchored to the ground. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and meet the electrical code requirements.
• If in doubt, call a professional.

Potential dangers

Two major dangers surround the use of a generator: electrocution and carbon monoxide poisoning. Back-up generators can present a fire hazard.

Electrocution

During a flood, power outages are common. However, it is essential to find a dry place for the generator and, therefore, never place it in a flooded basement.

• Protect the device from rain by placing it under a canopy in bad weather.
• When operating the generator, make sure that you are in a dry area and that your hands are not wet.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. It occurs when a person inhales too much of this odorless gas.
• Keep generators in well-ventilated areas.
• If the unit is located outdoors, keep it away from openings (doors, windows, vents, dampers, etc.) to prevent carbon monoxide vapors from entering and accumulating inside. 
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and check their batteries frequently. If they run on electricity instead, make sure they still have a backup battery.
• The main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are dizziness, headache, nausea, and fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, get out immediately.

Fire hazard

Generators can become extremely hot during use.Before filling the fuel tank, switch off the appliance and allow it to cool. Do not fill it if it is still hot.Store your fuel in a container provided for this purpose, away from the generator or any other fuel-powered device.

Probably not everyone has a generator, since electricity is now a convenience capable of reaching even the most inaccessible places. Yet generators can be an indispensable necessity in some situations. In addition to being essential in facilities such as hospitals to ensure the continuous operation of life-saving machinery, power generators are also extremely useful in the home. A generator can in fact be decisive during a blackout, effectively avoiding leaving the house totally in the dark.

Petrol generators: they are the ideal choice in the home, for campers, boats, small workshops and street vendors.

Diesel generators: recommended for intensive and prolonged use, they are the ideal choice in the construction field and to power large machinery.

LPG generators: low noise and small in size are recommended in the home and to ensure electricity during short-term outdoor events.