Storm Prep: Generator Safety Tips

Hurricane season peaks in the month of September although Mississippi has been off to a great start that doesn’t mean it’s time to let your guard down. During a power outage, many families may use a generator to help maintain a sense of normalcy.

"It's a good idea to have your generator serviced. Don't wait until the storm is here. Go ahead and have that generator service. Be sure that you have plenty of fuel for your generator and have it so that it is in good working order," stated Doug Stephens, Public Safety Director.

Proper maintenance of a generator is crucial so that it will be reliable during a time of need. Stephens says knowing about generators and how to safely use them is always important.

"So it is highly recommended that you do not use a generator indoors, even inside your carport, even if the windows and doors are open. It is recommended to use the generator approximately 20 feet away from the inside of your home so that your home doesn't get filled with carbon monoxide. It's also a good recommendation to have carbon monoxide detectors even in the home, even with the generator running outside, especially if the doors and windows will be open," states Stephens.

Stephens says that some of the most common mistakes many people make when using a generator are using them indoors, overloading it, and poor maintenance.

"When you overload the generator is not going to work properly and it's going to constantly cause you issues with the equipment that you're trying to operate. And also poor maintenance people just have a tough time maintaining those generators. They sit for a long period of time without being used. So you just need to be sure, to have those serviced properly so that they're in good working order when you do need them," he said