State Fire Marshal Issues Generator Safety Tips [VIDEO]
Louisiana State Fire Marshal Chief H. “Butch” Browning issued some safety tips today, ahead of Hurricane Delta, which is projected to hit the Louisiana coastline on Friday. He stated “We have shared this message, at length, across southwest, central and north Louisiana following Hurricane Laura and the multiple carbon monoxide deaths that occurred after that disaster. We shared it again for those in southeast Louisiana as Hurricane Sally was approaching. And now with Hurricane Delta likely impacting a significant portion of the state, we are asking all residents to educate yourselves about generator safety now.”
If you are planning to use a generator during this upcoming weather event, make sure you know how to do so safely. The Fire Marshal's office has passed on some very important tips, which are listed below, along with a video on safety. Y'all be safe out there.
- Do not place generators inside of any structure including garages, carports and sheds
- Instead, place the generator at least 20 feet away from your home, down-wind away from open doors, windows and vents
- Before refueling, turn the generator off and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes
- Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet
- Instead, use a heavy-duty, outdoor extension cord to plug appliances into generators
- Do not use in rain or wet conditions
- Have a fire extinguisher nearby
- Have a carbon monoxide monitor for your home
Hurricane Game Plan, How We Get Ready at My House