Posted: December 9, 2015

With more people relying on both portable and permanent generators than ever before, our team also wanted to share these safety tips.

• Never operate a portable generator in an enclosed or partially enclosed space; keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home and away from windows and doors.
• If your generator is not connected to a propane tank, be sure to store its fuel in a properly labeled container.
• Always use a grounded extension cord with the proper power rating.
• Have your generator checked and adjusted annually for safety and efficiency.
• Installed whole-house generators should have a transfer switch to ensure a smooth transition when the lights go out. A transfer switch cuts electricity flow to the grid while the generator is on. This prevents the power in the generator from “back-feeding” into outside power lines and potentially injuring utility crews.