Many people don’t like using generators since they’ve heard scary stories about fires and gas leaks. While it’s true that you can run into some trouble when running your generators, they happen because of incidents of not users not being careful. If you’re careful when using a generator, there is little to no chance of encountering these issues.
If you’re still unsure of how to use a generator safely, here are a few tips that can certainly help you.
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Keep Generator Outside
Generators are obviously one of the best things to get when you don’t have access to electricity. However, incidents can occur, which is why you should always avoid keeping a generator inside. The simplest way to protect you and others around you is by keeping your generator outside. For instance, if you installed a generator in a food truck, keep it on the backside of the truck to keep your customers and employees safe.
Furthermore, it becomes important to protect your indoors from filling up with carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. In this case, keep your generator at a safe distance from your property or business, and in an area with plenty of ventilation.
Invest in a CO Alarm
By CO alarm, we mean carbon monoxide detectors. Look for durable and high-quality CO detectors that can work well for several years. Choose the one that comes with long-lasting chargeable batteries. This way, you don’t have to change the batteries frequently or be in a situation where the sensor doesn’t work because of empty batteries.
These CO detectors immediately alert you if it detects Carbon Monoxide in the environment. Depending on the one you purchase, you will either hear an alarm or notice a red light on the detector. Make sure to install this device near your generator to find out if there is a CO leak. Test the sensor regularly to ensure there is no risk.
Related: Taking Care of Your Generator – Maintenence Checklist | Portable Power Station or Generator?
Care for Your Generator
You need to take good care of your generator. Clean the generator regularly and get rid of the debris or dirt in the generator. The surroundings of your generator also need to be clean so that they don’t affect how it functions.
Check the instruction book you get with the generator and look for cleaning tips. Some generators also require you to clean or replace oil tanks regularly. You should also keep your generator in a covered and dry place to avoid unexpected hazards. You should also keep your pets and children to maintain safe distance from the generator.
Keep it Out of the Rain
No matter how promising, durable, and heavy-duty the generator might be, leaving it in the rain can cause a fire. If you keep your generator outside, you need to properly cover it and keep it away from water.
Keeping your generator dry is not only important to avoid hazards, but it is also important to ensure the longevity of your generator. These machines are designed to output a great amount of power when needed. However, if corrosion or damage starts to develop, these generators stop working and become much less efficient. So, take all the precautionary measures for the safety of your generator.
Use high Rated Extension and Cables
If you want to plug any device or appliance into your generator, make sure to use heavy-duty and high-quality wires specifically made for the outdoors. Look for cords with watts or amps more than the total connected appliances’ load.
When purchasing cables and extensions, ensure these cords don’t have any cuts or tears. Also, all three pins in the plug need to be undamaged to work efficiently. You should purchase wires, cords, and cables from reputable companies to avoid any risks.
Turn On Generator with Care
Considering a few things before using a generator for your appliances or devices is important to avoid affecting them. Before turning on the generator, make sure to disconnect any appliances and devices from the generator. When the generator starts, the risk of electricity fluctuations can damage your generator.
Once you turn on the generator and it starts to work appropriately, you can connect your appliance to it as well. However, make sure to connect equipment and devices one by one to avoid putting up too much load on the unit. Since most generators come with a standard operating machine capacity, you need to prioritize your needs. Only connect things to your generator that you greatly need.
Don’t Refill Working Generators
This is a common mistake – people often make to try and refill the oil tank while the generator is still on. Trying to fill a generator while it is still running could lead to a fire, serious injury, or even a fatal accident. This type of event can lead to people developing a fear of using generators. Generally, the oil tank of a generator is hot. When you try to fill it with oil while it’s working, the oil will boil and spill out of the tank. It can get on you or things near it.
So, if your generator is running out of oil, turn off the generator and wait for it to cool down. Once the generator gets to room temperature, or you wait for 15 to 20 minutes, you can fill it up with fuel and then turn it on. Wait a few minutes before you connect cables and wires to it. Your generator will first adjust the fuel in it, which can cause fluctuations in power.
Bottom Line
To keep you and other people around you safe, you need to be careful when using the generator. Besides the tips mentioned above, keep your generator on a flat surface and avoid using poor-quality cables when connecting something to your generator. Note that these safety tips not only protect you from unwanted troubles but also improve the lifespan of your generator.
So, if you can’t invest your money in a new generator, keep it in good condition. Practice all the mentioned tips, and follow the guidelines and instructions of the manufacturer to use the generator appropriately. Figure out how to fill up the generator with gas, and get familiar with the process. Also, look for any important considerations that are different from standard generators.
