Don’t ignore the fire and safety dangers posed by use of electrical generators

Here’s a plea to everyone about to be devices. But there are some practical tips affected by yet another Pacific Gas and offered online by an array of publications and Electric Co. power shutoff: stay safe. trade groups: Notice was given that, due to weather conditions, – Make sure the equipment is in good a shutoff could start sometime today, working order, and follow the manufacturer’s so there will be a bunch of people turning on directions. their generators. – Never place a generator in your garage or

We’ve heard some concern that while inside your home or in a building – it needs shutting down a local grid to prevent it from to be a safe distance from any structure that starting a fire might make sense, the growing could pull outside air in. It’s suggested that plethora of small, gas-powered generators adds if you have a gas-powered generator near back in some risk. a building that you invest a little extra and Some area generator dealers ran out of

install a battery-operated carbon monoxide inventory during the last shutoff, as residents

detector in your home. in more-fire-prone areas realized that PGE is serious about switching off the electricity and – Store gas in recommended containers and will likely do so several times per year. It’s all keep it well away from structures and heat up to the weather pattern, and you never know sources. Don’t add fuel to your generator while how often there will be shutoffs or how long the engine is hot. they’ll last ... if you’re in a fire-prone area, you – If you need to use an extension cord, make could be without PGE power for days. Hence, it an outdoors-approved, heavy duty one. lots of people are dealing with gas-powered – Consider installing a transfer switch to engines that emit carbon monoxide, heat up to connect the generator to your circuit panel. dangerous levels, and generate electricity. – Don’t plug a generator into a wall outlet.

A Consumer Reports story says that more Backfeeding – powering your home’s wiring than 900 people died of carbon monoxide by plugging the generation into a wall outlet poisoning, and thousands were injured, while – is very dangerous and presents an electrocution using portable generators from 2005 to 2017. risk. You also run the risk of frying your They say that since people rarely use generators, electronics or starting an electrical fire. they more easily overlook safety measures. – CR reports that installing a transfer switch Most deaths involve CO poisoning from should cost from $500 to $900 with labor. It generators used indoors or partially enclosed connects the generator to the circuit panel and spaces. They also can cause fires and electrical lets you power up hardwired appliances while shock. avoiding the dangers of using extension cords.

It’s not that hard to safely operate a generator; – Don’t run a portable generator and use and they can be life- and property-saving extension cords in the rain.

Our View editorials represent the opinion of the Appeal-democrat and its editorial board and are edited by the publisher and/or editor. Members of the editorial board include: Publisher Glenn Stifflemire and Editor Steve Miller.