Would you believe us if we told you that more people end up dying after a hurricane has passed? Unfortunately, when generators are used incorrectly, carbon monoxide exposure can occur from using portable generators indoors. We want you to stay safe which is why your trusty technicians at Suncoast Power Solutions are here with these useful tips for safely using your home generator during a hurricane!

 

1. Install A Carbon Monoxide Detector

 

Since carbon monoxide is the main culprit in these tragic news stories, getting a carbon monoxide detector can help you catch a leak before it becomes too much to control. But if you’re going to be relying on these devices, it’s crucial to regularly inspect them to make sure they’re working when you need them.

 

2. Refrain From Indoor Generator Usage

 

The best way to avoid carbon monoxide exposure is to avoid using a generator indoors entirely. Portable generators may fit nicely in your garage or stashed away in the corner of your living room, but it doesn’t mean that you should be using them this way. Even if you open up the windows to allow airflow, enough of the exhaust can still stick around to affect your health. And if you’re in the middle of a hurricane, chances are you won’t want to leave your windows open anyway.

 

3. Invest In An Outdoor Standby Generator

 

If you can’t use your portable generator indoors, and it’s not safe enough to set it up outdoors during a hurricane, what else can you do? Standby power generators are better for storms because they are designed to stay outdoors and turn on automatically when it detects an outage in your home. Purchasing one of these appliances is one of the best ways to receive power safely in hurricane-prone areas like Florida.

 

4. Keep Generators At Least 20 Feet Away From Your Home

 

Even standby power generators that are meant to stay permanently outside need to be at least 20 feet away from the building. If it’s any closer, it can become a fire hazard that will spread across the building rather quickly. Having the generator too close can also allow emissions to find their way inside without a sizable gap to help any exhaust dissipate in the air by the time it reaches the house.

 

5. Point The Generator Vents Away From Windows And Doors

There’s more that goes into making sure your generator is installed to code. On top of placing your generator at least 20 feet from the home, you also need to make sure that the vents are pointing away from any openings like doors or windows. Doing so will help ensure that carbon monoxide does not directly enter the home after leaving the generator.

 

6. Call A Professional For Repairs Or Maintenance If Needed

 

If your standby generator is in need of repairs or maintenance, the safest way to tend to it is to leave it to the professionals. You could easily get hurt if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, so it’s best not to risk it. Your certified technicians are well-equipped to make sure that your generator is in top shape when you need it most.

 

Need A Standby Power Generator Or Professional Services? Call Suncoast Power Solutions!

 

Prepare for the next hurricane by reaching out to the certified Generac technicians at Suncoast Power Solutions! Call us today to ask about standby generator installation and maintenance so you can keep your home powered the safe way during a hurricane.