Generator Safety

Portable generators are handy devices to have for an emergency but they can be hazardous to you and to electrical workers, if used improperly.

The primary hazards of generators include carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution and fire. Follow these tips to avoid injury or death and to protect the safety of utility workers:

• Operate generators outside in a well-ventilated area, away from doors, windows and vents.
• Never run a generator in a garage, even with the door open.
• To safely install and operate a generator, refer to the generator’s manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as “backfeeding.” This creates an electrocution risk and is extremely dangerous for utility workers and neighbors served by the same electric transformers.
• To help keep everyone safe, be sure to notify us that you have a generator when reporting an outage.

For more emergency safety tips, check out this post.