It's been almost two years since most of us have used our generators during Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

Portable electric generator running in the cold winter.
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Remember, sadly more lives in SWLA were taken from carbon monoxide poisoning after Hurricane Laura than the actual storm took.

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Here are some safety tips when operating a generator:

  • Have a battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm inside your home where you are staying.
  • Make sure your generator is in a well-ventilated area. Please keep it away from doors, windows, and vents. Do not bring it inside your home.
  • Have a long enough extension cord to have your generator running at a safe distance outside. Also, make sure you use a cord capable of handling the power,  like a 12 or 14-gauge cord.
  • Change the oil when you have run the generator at the number of hours suggested by the manufacturer.
  • Let your generator cool before refilling the gas. Gasoline is highly flammable and could ignite if you spill it on a hot generator.

Check out the video below for more great generator safety tips:

The National Institutes of Health reports that carbon monoxide (CO) can kill a person in under five minutes. What makes CO so dangerous is that the gas is odorless, tasteless, and colorless.

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