The hurricanes in Florida and Texas have been on our minds lately. Our thoughts go out to all those poor families who lost their homes. It got us thinking about what we would do in a similar emergency situation. While Nevada isn’t prone to hurricanes, we do get some torrential downpours periodically, not to mention record heat waves that can cause strain on the power supply resulting in a brown out.
When the power goes out, many of us turn to portable backup generators. These units can keep your fridge and lights on when the power isn’t, but they are tricky to safely operate.
This might be the perfect time to talk about some of the important safety tips you must consider if your family has a backup power generator. We visited the websites of three reputable organizations to find out the best safety tips for you and your family.
Let’s review what the experts suggest.
Safety First for Portable Generator Power
The American Red Cross has excellent safety information on portable power generators. They point out three primary safety concerns when operating the portable units:
· First, beware of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning from the exhaust.
· Second, there is the possibility of electric shock is prevalent.
· Third, these portable units are at high risk of fire.
Obviously, you should never use a portable generator in wet conditions. Never touch anything electric with your bare, wet hands. If it is a gasoline-powered generator, store your fuel in an approved fuel container, not any other sort of container. Always wait for the unit to cool before adding fuel to the machine.
You should also never use gasoline, propane, charcoal-burning, or natural gas equipment inside your home. The fumes from these devices are very toxic and dangerous.
The National Safety Council has other tips to keep you and your family safe while using a portable electric or gas generator:
· Always read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them to the letter.
· Maintain your generator according to manufacturer’s instructions.
· If you use extension cords, make sure they are rated for how you’re using them.
Finally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has more tips for home or business owners trying to use a portable generator. They remind us that generators get hot when running and you should keep a three or four feet circle around these units, to reduce the risk of fire.
In a power down situation, portable generators can be important. But they are very dangerous and must be used with care.
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HVAC Unit Not Working?
If the power is still on but your HVAC unit isn’t working, call Ambient Edge to set a repair visit. We will come out to determine the cause of the problem and fix it as quickly as possible for a fair price. One-way to keep your unit functioning properly is to schedule a check up. Fall is the best time to schedule preventative maintenance to help ensure your HVAC unit is working effectively. Contact Ambient Edge – we’re here to keep you and your family safe, comfortable, and prepared.
