Most of the Hurricane Laura-related fatalities were due to carbon monoxide poisoning from the misuse of generators. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue urges users to follow three important tips for generator safety and it starts with location.
“It cannot be inside of your home, it cannot be inside of your garage, don’t put it inside of a shed, or a carport, those fumes have got to be able to get out and away from your home,” says Rodrigue.
Those fumes are carbon monoxide, and they can kill you. When placing a generator 20 feet from your home also check the extension cord for exposure of wires and deterioration.
Rodrigue also warns users not to plug the generator directly into the home or structure, it will cause a situation of back feed and create a house fire.
“Whether it be immediately or a delayed reaction, relative to some damage that may have occurred with the electrical system when set up like that,” says Rodrigue.
And before refueling your generator always allow it to cool down.
“Give it about 20-25 minutes after you turn it off before you do that refueling and obviously please do not refuel that generator while it is on and active,” says Rodrigue.
Rodrigue also highly recommends the use of carbon monoxide detectors when using generators.
Reported by Brooke Thorington
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