Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office Has Important Reminder When Using Portable Generator

As we prepare for Hurricane Francine in south Louisiana, the State Fire Marshal's Office has a critical reminder for those who own portable generators.

After recent storms and being without power for days, many in Louisiana have invested in portable generators to power their homes, but they can be dangerous if you do not know how to properly use them.

Too often we report on people dying while using these types of generators and often it's a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Just in case you're unaware, you should NEVER put a generator in an enclosed area (in the house or the garage).

In addition, you DO NOT want to put the generator that is emitting fumes close to a door or window. The fumes can get into your home and be very dangerous to all that occupy the structure.

Now, let's get to another important reminder from the Fire Marshal's Office, and that centers around when refueling the generator. In the event of your generator running out of fuel, you do not want to refuel it while it is hot.

Allow your generator to cool for approximately 30 minutes then begin to slowly refuel it. If you spill fuel on a hot generator, it can ignite and that may be catastrophic.

So, when using portable generators, be safe and be smart. Never put yourself or your family at risk, and if you're unsure how to use one, ask someone to instruct you on its use and placement after a storm.

If you are uncertain how to properly use a generator, here is a quick tutorial on how to properly use it.