Fire Hazards
• Never store fuel for your generator in the home. Gasoline,
propane, kerosene, and other flammable liquids should be
stored outside of living areas in properly-labeled, non-glass
safety containers. Do not store them near a fuel-burning
appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage.
• Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool
down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite

6/6 #generator #safety #disasters #PSPS #PowerOutage

(Original post is here: https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5123_SafetyAlert_PortableGenerators_102021_0.pdf?VersionId=PK4zcSnKUJE8ovzbCGV09MM5.RBIG_E5)

NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging
the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as
“backfeeding.” This is extremely dangerous and presents an
electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by
the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the
built-in household circuit protection devices.

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Electrical Hazards

Generators pose a risk of shock and electrocution, especially
if they are operated in wet conditions. If you must use a
generator when it is wet outside, protect the generator from
moisture to help avoid the shock/electrocution hazard,
but do so without operating the generator indoors or near
openings to any building that can be occupied in order to
help avoid the CO hazard. Operate the generator under an
open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water
cannot reach it or puddle or drain under it. Dry your hands, if
wet, before touching the generator.

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Follow these safety tips to protect against CO poisoning.
• NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces,
sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening
doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon
monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger
for hours, even after the generator has shut off.
• Follow the instructions that come with your generator.
Locate the unit outdoors and far from doors, windows, and
vents that could allow CO to come indoors and point the
exhaust away from any nearby buildings.
• Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms
with battery back-up in your home..

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