Generators Killed More Floridians In Last 4 Years Than Storms

ACROSS FLORIDA — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said residents should be prepared for power outages for a few days as Tropical Storm Elsa impact Florida's west coast and is urging residents to take extra precautions if they use a portable generator to provide power to their homes.

"If you use a generator, please use it appropriately," he said. "In the last four years, there have been more fatalities as a result of people getting carbon monoxide poisoning (from generators) than direct impacts from the storm."

DeSantis warned residents to never place a generator inside the home, inside a garage or next to an open window.

"Sometimes people will put it right outside their window and have the window open with the power cords running, and the exhaust comes into the home," he said.

When a hurricane or tropical storm cuts off electricity in your neighborhood, a portable generator can be your best mechanical friend.

Or, it can cause serious harm.

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If you rely on a generator to provide power in an outage, it's critical to know how to use it properly.

Don't:

• Place a running generator inside your home or garage. Keep it at least 15 feet from any enclosed structure. The odorless carbon monoxide exhaust fumes are deadly.
• Store fuel in your home, or in your garage near potentially combustible appliances such as a furnace or water heater.
• Connect a generator directly to your home's electrical box. It can create a fire hazard, and might energize area power lines that utility workers assume are not "live."
• Operate a generator in rain or damp conditions. If the electrical panel gets wet, it could cause electrical shock or damage the machine.
• Refuel a generator while it's running. Fuel spilled on a hot motor can spark an explosion or fire.

Do:

• Start and briefly run your machine a few times during the year to ensure it is ready when you need it.
• Make sure you have plenty of fresh fuel to power your generator. If the machine runs on gasoline, figure on up to 21 gallons a day if you want to operate it around the clock.
• Check the oil.
• Make sure the combined wattage of devices you plan to power does not exceed the generator's capacity.
• Use heavy-duty, properly grounded extension cords.
• Hire a qualified technician to install a transfer switch if you want to connect an emergency generator to your home's main electrical system.

See related stories:

• Tropical Storm Elsa Could Bring 3-5 Feet Of Surge To Gulf Coast
• Tropical Storm Warning Issued For Tampa Bay As TS Elsa Nears