Consumer Product Safety Commission Safety Alert
Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote
electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The primary hazards
to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the
toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire.
Every year, people die in incidents related to portable
generator use. Most of the incidents
associated with portable generators reported to CPSC involve CO poisoning from
generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces.
NEVER use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed
spaces. Generators can produce high
levels of CO very quickly. When you use a portable generator, remember that you
cannot smell or see CO. Even if you can't smell exhaust fumes, you may still be
exposed to CO.
If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a
generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY. The CO from generators
can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death.
If you experience serious symptoms, get medical
attention immediately. Inform medical
staff that CO poisoning is suspected. If you experienced symptoms while
indoors, have someone call the fire department to determine
when it is safe to re-enter the building.
Follow these safety tips to protect against CO poisoning:
* NEVER use a generator indoors, including in homes,
garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially-enclosed
areas, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not
prevent CO build-up in the home.
* Follow the instructions that come with your
generator. Locate the unit outdoors and
away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.
* Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO
alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer's
installation instructions. The CO alarms should be certified to the
requirements of the latest safety standards for CO alarms (UL 2034, IAS 6-96,
or CSA 6.19.01).
* Test your CO alarms frequently and replace dead
batteries.
Follow these tips to protect against shock and
electrocution:
* Keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet
conditions. To protect from moisture, operate it on a dry surface under an
open, canopy-like structure. Dry your hands if wet before touching the
generator.
* Plug appliances directly into the generator. Or, use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is
rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance
loads. Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug
has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.
* NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging the
generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as "backfeeding."
This is an extremely dangerous practice that presents an electrocution risk to
utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also
bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.
* If you must connect the generator to the house wiring
to power appliances, have a qualified electrician install the appropriate
equipment in accordance with local electrical codes. Or, check with your
utility company to see if it can install an appropriate power transfer switch.
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For power outages, permanently
installed stationary generators are better suited for providing backup power to
the home. Even a properly connected
portable generator can become overloaded. This may result in overheating or
stressing the generator components, possibly leading to a generator failure.
Follow these tips to prevent fires:
* Never store fuel for your generator in the home. Gasoline, propane, kerosene, and other
flammable liquids should be stored outside of living areas in properly-labeled,
non-glass safety containers. Do not store them near a fuel-burning appliance,
such as a
natural gas water heater in a garage. If the fuel is spilled or the container is
not sealed properly, invisible vapors from the fuel can travel along the ground
and can be ignited by the appliance's pilot light or by arcs from electric
switches in the appliance.
* Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it
cool down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.