Florida Consumer E-Newsletter
September 2005

Follow these tips to keep you safe during times of need:

• Never use a portable generator indoors (including garages, crawlspaces and sheds) even with ventilation. Exhaust fumes can contain extremely high levels of CO that can rapidly become deadly.
• Only use a portable generator outdoors in a dry area and away from doors, windows and vents that can allow CO to come into your home. Wait for the rain to pass before using your generator. Consumer-grade generators are not weatherproof and pose a risk of electrocution and shock when used in wet conditions.
• When using a generator follow the manufacturer’s instructions for operation. Plug individual appliances into heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cords and plug those cords directly into the generator. Make sure to check that your extension cords are free of cuts or tears, have a wire gauge adequate for the appliance loads and have all three prongs intact, including a grounding pin.
• Purchase a carbon monoxide detector that operates on batteries and ensure that it is functioning properly. This device will sound an alarm (similar to that of a smoke detector) when it senses that carbon monoxide is present. These can be purchased at your local home improvement store for about $30 (a small price tag for something that could potentially save your life).
• Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a method known as “backfeeding.” This is an extremely dangerous practice that presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices that protect you from potential electrocution.
• If you are using a generator and you start to feel sick, dizzy, fatigued, shortness of breath, nauseated or weak, get to fresh air IMMEDIATELY. Get medical attention right away and inform the medical staff that CO poisoning is suspected. Call your local fire department to determine when it is safe to re-enter the building.

• Never store gasoline in the home or near a fuel burning appliance, such as a water heater, generator or where gasoline fumes can be ignited.
• Never use charcoal indoors even if the area is well ventilated. Burning charcoal in an enclosed space can produce lethal levels of CO.
• Do not use electric or gas appliances that have been wet or damaged because of the hazards of electric shock, fire or explosion.
• Exercise caution when using candles. Use flashlights instead. If you must use candles, do not burn them on or near anything that may be flammable. Never leave burning candles unattended and make sure to extinguish them whenever you leave the room.