[StBernard] Residents Urged to Use Caution when Operating Generators

[Westley Annis]

Residents Urged to Use Caution when Operating Generators 

Posted: 8/28/2012 8:44:14 AM

Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center



JOINT INFORMATION CENTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 27, 2012

Residents Urged to Use Caution when

Operating Generators

BATON ROUGE, La.-- Every year, people die because of deadly exhaust

fumes from generators that seep into homes. It only takes a small opening
for

enough carbon monoxide to kill or injure residents to enter a home. That's

why the Department of Health and Hospitals is cautioning residents who may

be using generators because of power outages caused by Tropical Storm

Isaac to be mindful of the dangerous health risks that may result if
generators

are not used properly.

Carbon monoxide does not have a smell or color. It builds up in the body

through repeated exposures. The only way to know if you are being exposed

to this deadly gas is using a carbon monoxide detector. Get a battery

powered carbon monoxide detector so that it will work even if the power goes

out.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, headache,

shortness of breath, dizziness, irritability, confusion and memory loss.
Getting

to fresh air is essential if you have these symptoms. Once able, call

immediately for medical help.

Do not run a generator inside your home because the carbon monoxide

gases emitted from the generator can kill you. Do not put it in a garage
either,

because the deadly gas could still enter the home. For the same reason,

generators should also not be placed near air conditioning intakes. Use

heavy-gauge extension cords to run power from the generator to appliances.

If you have to run an extension cord from the generator into the house

through an open doorway or window, do not slam the door or window shut on

the extension cord. That could result in a short and cause a fire.

Leave just enough space in the door or window to run the cord, and then seal

the opening by using duct tape. Check this taped seal frequently for leaks
to

prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not connect a generator directly to a

household electrical system because it can back feed electrical current into

power lines. If this is done, utility workers will be unaware that power is

running through a line, and they could be electrocuted and killed or
injured.

An electrician can install a wiring harness to enable you to attach a
generator

to your home. This will disconnect the residence's electrical connection to

power lines, preventing a safety hazard to electrical workers.

Store fuel in a container designed to hold gasoline or diesel. Do not use

discarded milk jugs, glass bottles or other containers to store fuel. Some

plastics can melt if they come in contact with fuel.

Store fuel for your generator away from the generator, and refuel only after

the generator has cooled .

Use a funnel to prevent spills when fueling your generator.

To prevent creating a dangerous spark when refueling, make sure the gas

can is placed on the ground. Do not refill when the container is in or on a

vehicle.

Choose a generator that produces more power than you will need when all

electrical appliances are running.

Allow a generator to run for two (2) to three (3) minutes before plugging in
a

power cord.

Turn off appliances before shutting off a generator to prevent damage to

electrical circuits.

Consult the generator owner's manual to determine its power capacity. Most

generators are not strong enough to power an entire house, so you will have

to ration its use to prevent tripping a circuit breaker on the generator.
Each

electrical device uses a maximum number of watts. That number usually can

be found on a manufacturer's label on the appliance. For example, a 5,000-

watt generator can run an average refrigerator, freezer, portable fan and a
60-

watt light bulb. Always operate a generator in a clean, dry location. A

generator produces enough electricity to electrocute you, so do not run a

generator in standing water. Voltage-sensitive appliances such as
televisions

and computers should not be powered by a generator without some type of

surge protection device.

For more information on generators, look at the Consumer Product Safety

Commission's Web site: http://www.cpsc.gov/info/co/generators.html

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