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During hurricane season, many people prepare for the possibility
of extended power outages by purchasing and installing small, gasoline-powered
portable electric generators. While this seems like a perfect solution,
trying to supply power to your entire house with a portable generator
is potentially dangerous to you and to SLEMCO linemen. So follow
these safety guidelines when using portable generators in emergencies.
The best way to use these generators is to install them safely and
to use only as much power as is absolutely necessary. For example,
if you only need to provide electricity to your refrigerator and
a few lights during an outage, the simplest and safest way is to
run an extension cord of the correct gauge directly from the generator
to the appliance.
It is impractical, and potentially dangerous, to try to supply
power to the entire house with a portable generator. Unless certain
switches have been installed or a certified electrician has installed
the generator, the hookup could be dangerous to both you and the
SLEMCO employees trying to restore power. The generator itself may
even be damaged when power is restored if it has been improperly
installed.
Any installation that requires a direct connection to electrical
equipment requires a certified electrician. The safety benefits
and peace of mind for your family will be well worth the cost.
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