BEAUMONT, Texas — Hurricane season is in full effect in Southeast Texas and when the lights go out generators are the perfect way to cool your home or keep your food from spoiling. While they are helpful, they can also be harmful if you don't know how to use them properly.
Fire, electrocution and carbon monoxide poisoning are the top three dangers associated with both portable and standby generators experts tell 12News. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the biggest danger if portable generators are used indoors.
“Every year somehow, we have a death and it's unfortunate. Maybe they don’t have an extension cord and they want to plug it right in but it's a killer and you just can't do it.” said Frank McHaney, Sales Manager at M& D Supply Ace Hardware in Beaumont.
Generators should never be used indoors, instead they should only be used outside in well-ventilated areas away from patios, porches or anywhere else carbon monoxide can find its way into a home, Haney said.
“Generac has come up with a “Cosense” technology feature. It's been around a few years.” said McHaney
“How it works is if there's too much carbon monoxide in any room it will shut off and won’t run,” he explains.
Both portable and standby generators can also be prone to catching on fire if their wiring is faulty according to Beaumont Fire Rescue officials.
“If you don't have the proper transfer switch or it's improperly installed then you have electrical sources coming in from two different directions creating fires in multiple places in your home,” said District Chief Scott Wheat of Beaumont Fire Rescue.
Wheat recommends unplugging generators to avoid electrocution if you need to make repairs and allowing them to cool down before refueling.
“Gasoline is more flammable. It will ignite more rapidly than diesel. If you spill fuel all over that generator it can ignite a fire as well,” Wheat said.
Homeowners interested in buying a generator should know exactly what they plan to use it for. McHaney recommends a 6500 -Watt that can run a refrigerator, a window ac unit- and lights.
A generator can cost from $600 to $1200.
The experts hope you follow their because they could save your life this hurricane season.