Generator safety during Hurricane Season

With hurricane season in full swing, it is important to know how to properly operate a generator.

Operating a generator is very important because if not operated properly it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and house fires which can ultimately be deadly.

News 25 talked to the Harrison County Emergency Management Agency for safety advice when it comes to operating a generator.

Some safety tips include: keeping the generator dry, turning the generator off and letting it cool before refueling, and keeping it outside and well ventilated. Harrison County EMA Director Matt Stratton said, “You want to make sure that generator is gonna be at least 20 feet away from the building that way the carbon monoxide is not going to drift into where people are maybe through open door or windows. You also want to make sure to use outdoor cords and that they are high gage wire so that they can carry the electricity safely. You also want to make sure that you are not connecting directly to your home’s wires unless you have a transfer switch that has been shut down so that you are not affecting the utility power, because that is very dangerous for power workers.”

The most important thing is to read the manual that comes with the generator so you can have a full understanding of it.