Staying Safe During The Storm

Each year in America, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with the use of portable generators and other engine-driven tools claims dozens of lives and sends many others to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. Since CO is an odorless and colorless toxic gas, there is no warning of its presence.

Yamaha offers some important safety tips on using portable generators as a home backup power supply:

• Never Use a Gas Generator Indoors or in Partly Enclosed Areas Such as an Attached Garage-A portable generator uses a combustion engine just like your car, which produces toxic carbon monoxide gasses. It must be outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area away from any of your home's windows, doors and other air intakes. Never run generators in basements, attached garages or other partly enclosed areas such as patios.

• Read Manufacturer's Instructions for Safe Operation -This is provided when you purchase your generator. If you need another copy of the instructions, stop by the generator dealer.

• Don't Store Fuel and Oil Indoors or Try to Fuel Equipment While Running-"You wouldn't fill your car at the gas station while the engine is running and the same logic should go for your generator," said Yamaha's Iwasa. These liquids are flammable and can be sparked by the generator. Your generator should be turned off and allowed to cool before refueling; gasoline on a hot engine could cause a fire.

• Use a Carbon Monoxide Detector in Your Home-This is an important way to be warned of toxic carbon monoxide in your home from any source. You can find these affordable units at home or hardware stores. Purchase battery-powered units and test and replace the battery as recommended by the manufacturer.

• Never Try to Power a House by Plugging a Generator Into Your Wall Plug-This can cause "backfeeding," which is extremely dangerous and an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors using the same transformer. An electrician or the power company can install an appropriate transfer switch that complies with local building codes and, with proper operation, will allow you to power selected circuits in your home.

• Use the Appropriate Generator for Your Needs-Work with a generator salesperson to get the right unit to meet your needs. List the equipment and appliances you want to power in an emergency, and be sure your generator is sized properly to handle the load of those products.

In addition to a portable generator, Yamaha suggests you keep the following on hand:

• Battery-operated carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher

• A battery-operated radio to keep apprised of weather conditions while the power is out

• Cell phone and an extra cell phone battery for communication needs, should your phone lines also be affected by the storm

• Flashlight

• Lots of extra fresh batteries

• Blankets

• Extra food and water

• Extra medicine and baby items

• Extra fuel for your generator

• First aid supplies.

Following these tips can mean safety and comfort for you and your family.

For more information, visit www.yamaha-motor.com. One generator can power a space heater, home refrigerator and coffeepot for eight to 10 hours on one tank of gasoline.

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