If you’ve ever wondered, “Can a portable generator kill you?” you’re not alone. There are hundreds of reports about deadly carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. This article will discuss carbon monoxide poisoning, how to use a portable generator to keep the lights on in a disaster, and how to use a portable generator to run a sump pump. It’s all very serious stuff, so be careful.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
There are several cases of carbon monoxide poisoning from a portable gas generator. In a recent Maryland case, a family of eight was killed by a gasoline powered generator that had been hooked up to a heater after the power went out. Another case was in Madison, where a portable generator filled a wedding reception venue with carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning from a portable generator can result in permanent brain damage.
The CPSC has collected data on attempts to vent generator exhaust outdoors. However, even with the garage door cracked, dustin Patch’s portable generator still released deadly levels of carbon monoxide. As a result, it’s important to avoid using a portable generator indoors. The danger is much greater than the user’s error. Several changes in portable generator technology could help keep homeowners safe.
Currently, there is no federal safety standard for portable electric generators. However, it’s important to keep the generator at least 5 feet away from windows. The generator’s exhaust contains a higher level of CO than an automobile, so opening windows is insufficient to prevent CO poisoning. If you do smell CO, get out of the house right away. Call 911 immediately. The sooner you can treat CO poisoning, the better.
Using a portable generator to keep the lights on during a cleanup effort
It is a common misconception that using a portable generator to keep the lights on is safe. This is not true, however. Generators can produce a significant amount of CO, an odorless, colorless, and toxic gas, in a short period of time. People may not notice the fumes, but they are still at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If you experience any of the symptoms, tell the medical staff you are suffering from CO poisoning. Also, call the fire department to determine if it is safe to return to the building.
Using a portable generator to keep the light on during a cleanup effort is not safe. Not only can it kill you, but it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and close calls. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, portable generators have been responsible for eighty-five percent of all carbon monoxide poisoning incidents. According to the CPSC, carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators can kill you in just five minutes.
Before starting a generator, be sure to remove any debris from it and place it in a safe location away from heat sources. Also, make sure the area is well-ventilated. Always use a fire extinguisher and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when using a generator. Check local laws to see if they have restrictions on how much fuel or where you can store the generator.
Using a portable generator to keep a sump pump running
Using a portable generator to run a sump pump may seem like a good idea. However, it can actually kill you. According to Dustin Patch, a finance officer at a motor dealership in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, he had purchased a portable generator to use to keep his basement sump pump running. He said he had been experiencing headaches for the past week and decided to purchase the generator to keep the pump running in his basement. The following week, severe storms and blackouts impacted the city, and his health had become worse.
Sump pumps are essential to keep a basement dry and prevent damage to the home. The right portable generator can keep the pump running even when there is no power in the house. A 5,000 to 7,000-watt generator is enough to keep most critical appliances running. But using a portable generator to keep a sump pump running can kill you. This is why you need a backup generator for a sump pump.
The main concern with portable generators is backfeeding, a dangerous process that permits unfiltered electricity to flow through electrical circuits. Besides, before running a generator, it is imperative that you disconnect your home from the electrical grid. Otherwise, the electricity generated by the generator could travel outside your house and enter the grid, killing utility personnel on duty. This situation could be fatal.
