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Take care with generator during disaster

When a major storm knocks out electric power service, many people turn to gasoline-powered generators to run household appliances. Knowing how to use a generator safely is important to protect life and property, according to North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

Generators should be operated only in well-ventilated, covered, unheated areas and not in a basement, attached garage or other closed area. That's because the exhaust fumes from a generator contain carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and potentially lethal gas. Anyone who operates a generator should be aware of the symptoms of carbon-monoxide poisoning, including drowsiness, headache and disorientation.

When purchasing a portable generator, keep in mind that they come in different sizes and have different features. Have a licensed electrician determine your power needs and match those with the power output of the generator you select.

Here are some practical options:

• an overhead valve engine for longer life and quieter operation
• an automatic idle control to reduce noise and fuel consumption
• a large gas tank (a 5- to 10-gallon tank may last only 5 to 10 hours)
• a low oil shutdown feature to prevent engine damage or a wheel kit for easy transport

Generators are usually used to run plug-in appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and lights. Any appliance not permanently wired to the electrical system can be operated with polarized extension cords from the generator; however, overloaded extension cords can overheat and cause a fire.

If a generator is wired into a service box for running 240-volt or hard-wired appliances like furnaces or air conditioners, it is important to have a manual double-throw transfer switch on the service box or generator.

The transfer switch prevents the generator from back-feeding electricity into the power lines and possibly causing injury or death to unsuspecting utility workers trying to restore power. The switch also prevents costly damage to your generator when power is restored. A licensed electrician should install the switch.

Finally, remember fire safety in refueling and storing generators. Let the generator engine cool for at least two minutes before refueling. And leave an inch at the top of fuel tanks when filling them to prevent fuel from spilling.

For more information, contact your county Cooperative Extension center or visit the Web site http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster.

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Prepared by the Department of Communication Services, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Updated Sept. 15, 2008 — dfc

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