Severe Weather - Safety Tips for a Portable Generator

5/5/2020 (Permalink)

Keep your home running through the storm with the help of a portable generator.

Are you getting ready for the spring storms to arrive in the Chicagoland area?  Power outages are a common occurrence during a severe storm and a portable generator is a great tool to help you through the power outage. 

If you have a portable generator on hand for power outages during severe weather, follow the safety tips below provided by the American Red Cross.

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space, or any partially enclosed area.
• To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use it in wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles.  Do not touch the generator with wet hands.
• Install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home or property and outside sleeping areas to provide early warnings.

If you experience storm or water damage caused by a power outage in your home, please give SERVPRO of Gold Coast / Lincoln Park / Lakeview a call at (773) 935-6750. 

Source: Residential Newsline Volume 18 issue 2