Did you know that a single home generator is capable of emitting a hundred times more carbon monoxide than a car? Firefighters say it’s true… running a generator in your home could be fatal. It happens all over the country and in a shockingly short amount of time.
Mother Nature’s brutal attack on America’s Heartland earlier this month forced many homeowners’ to rent, buy, or use existing generators to power their homes. Sadly, one woman in Oklahoma who was forced to use a home generator following a round of ice storms, died in her apartment when carbon monoxide filled her living space.
Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer for good reason—it’s tasteless, odorless, colorless, and it kills–fast. If you use a home generator you should educate yourself about the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Doctors say if you experience a headache, extreme nausea, extreme dizziness, or lethargy, it’s time to get out.
Homeowners who don’t use generators correctly can be to blame for suffering the affects of carbon monoxide poising. So what should you know before you power up a home generator?
· Keep it Outdoors. Never run a generator in the house. Don’t even put it in an attached garage. Keep the unit away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide from coming indoors.
· Keep Emergency Numbers Handy. If you’re concerned about levels of the gas in your house, call your local fire department.
Also, to protect yourself against shock or electrocution when using a portable generator, keep it dry and do not use it in the rain or wet conditions. Ideally, you should operate it on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure, and make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator.
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