Fire Season Plans For Generator Use
This fire season, portable generator safety is a must. When fires knock out electricity, many people will turn to generators as a secondary source of power.
Just as experienced firestate dwellers keep a “bugout bag” on hand for when they need to flee quickly, they also need a ready package of supplies, and some advance planning, to safely deploy portable generators for those times when fire isn’t an immediate threat to life or property but has taken power offline.
A generator go-kit must include appropriate fuel and extension cords. Fuel keeps the generator going. Extension cords keep necessary appliances running. Have enough cords — and make sure they are long enough! The cords must safely extend from the generator to the equipment being powered. Map it out. Make sure you can get the cords deep enough into the home to power necessary equipment while still keeping the generator far away from any occupied dwelling space.
Portable generators are life-saving tools in times of emergency. However, because of improper consumer use, they can also be deadly. Year after year, people suffer carbon monoxide poisoning due to improper usage of portable generators. Information and preparedness can help prevent tragedy.
The Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association seeks to develop and influence safety and performance standards. The Association also educates consumers on the safe use of portable generators. The Take it Outside™ campaign support its mission, named for the simple, life-saving advice that portable generators must always be operated outdoors.
These rules for safe operation of a portable generator, and other safety tips, can be found at https://www. takeyourgeneratoroutside. com/.
Inevitably, wildfires will come and power outages will happen. Visit PGMA’s Public Safety Toolkit at takeyourgeneratoroutside. com/safety- resources/public-safety-toolkit for safety tips. Formed in 2009, PGMA members include major manufacturers of portable generators sold in North America and a significant majority of the industry. More information can be found at www. pgmaonline.com.
