What Safety Risks Do Electric Generators Pose?
When the lights flicker, an electric generator can be a real lifesaver. However, when used improperly, electric generators can pose some real risks to the operator. Like any man-made machine, generators can malfunction on their own or due to human error. If you own or are planning to purchase an electric generator, you need to be aware of the following safety tips: – Refrain from using extension cords and surge protectors for appliances. Attach each appliance directly to the generator instead. – Never attempt to wire your generator directly into your house’s wiring or circuits. Improper wiring can not only damage your home’s electrical circuitry, it could potentially feed electricity into power lines and put electric company crews repairing exterior lines in danger. If you’d like your generator plugged directly into your home’s wiring, hire a professional electrician to install a transfer switch. – Generators should not be operated indoors as this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
