Portable generator safety tips

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - FOX10 is committed to your safety and with hurricane season now underway, we want to go over some tips to help you stay safe this storm season if you plan on using a portable generator.

When the power goes out during a hurricane, portable generators can be useful. However, they can also pose a danger to you and your home. They pose the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock or electrocution, and fire.

Here are some safety tips to protect against those hazards when using a portable generator.

• Never use a generator in an enclosed space. Generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly, which can be deadly.
• Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. This is known as backfeeding, and it could put you, your neighbors and utility workers at risk of electrocution.
• Only use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords if you plan on plugging appliances into your generator.
• Keep generators away from your home’s windows or air-intakes to make sure deadly fumes do not enter.