Safe Use Of Portable Generators Carbon Monoxide Danger
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning While Using Generators
Everyone who uses portable generators should be aware of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. There is no question that generators offer an excellent solution to the problem of lack of power anywhere and for any reason. They offer a great backup plan to supply electricity anytime the power fails or is not available where you need it.
A portable home generator can provide you with a constant supply of electricity regardless of power outages but there is one huge safety factor to keep in mind when you use them. A gas engine gives out poisonous fumes. They usually smell bad but the smell is not the problem. The dangerous problem is that they give out carbon monoxide which is poisonous to humans. If you think a simple portable generator can’t be that dangerous be warned. They are extremely dangerous and can be fatal for people who do not understand and protect against the risks.
Each and every year, there will be thousands of people who experience sicknesses and injuries associated with generator usage and sadly some people will die from the use of a generator. In the majority of cases the injuries and deaths related to the use of generators occurs as a result of their improper use and careless handling of generators. Don’t be one of those statistics. Learn how to use a portable generator safely.
Unfortunately, the most common accidents caused by improper use of generators are likely to be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. When you buy a portable home generator for use as a backup power supply it is absolutely crucial you understand the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and what you should do to avoid this happening to you or your family.
I have personal experience of how serious this danger is. I had a cleaning job to do on some empty premises. I suggested my wife and daughter could do the job and earn some extra money. I rented a portable generator to supply power for their cleaning equipment and left them to get on with the job. When I returned at the end of the day it turned out they had been suffering from the effects of the fumes from the generator. How could this be? I had left them with the generator running outside the building where the fumes would safely disperse.
They had, apparently, had a problem because the cables were not longenough to reach everywhere in the building so they had moved the generator inside to make things easier. The result of this thoughtless action was that the fumes and the carbon monoxide from the generator gas engine was filling the building.
After a while they both began to feel sick from the smell of the exhaust fumes and they went outside. If they had not done that I might have returned to find their dead bodies in the building. It is that serious and it gave me a scare I will never forget.
So, to help you avoid any sort of incident like that here are a few tips and suggestions on symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, and how to treat a person who experiences carbon monoxide poisoning while using generators but none of this should be needed if you keep the fumes away from everybody. If anybody is affected by the fumes get medical attention immediately. Don’t take any chances and stay safe.
The most common cause for carbon monoxide poisoning while using a generator stems from the fact that a person has placed the generator in an enclosed area and experienced exposure to the toxic substance. It is very important that a person reads the instruction manual on how to operate their generator prior to using the machine for the first time.
Generators should always located outdoors in fresh air when they are being used. Under no circumstances should they be placed in your home, inside a shed, a garage, or any enclosed space. Don’t think that opening the windows will overcome the problem. You cannot and must not take that risk. Many people place a canopy outdoors and then place the generator underneath. That is an acceptable form of protecting the generator as it poses no risk for carbon monoxide poisoning because there will be plenty of fresh air around it so long as the sides are open to the air.
There are many symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning associated with the use of generators. The worse case scenario includes death and long term illness. Other symptoms include the following:
1) shortness of breath and/or wheezing
2) experience nausea
3) Headaches are common
4) Dizziness is often experienced
5) A person may fee light headed
6) A person may experience various types of weakness in the body
If a person experiences carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of using a generator, there are a few things that should be done when symptoms are experienced, they are as follows:
1) A person should get away from the generator as soon as possible and get air that is fresh quickly
2) A person may be given water and a cool cloth to comfort them and to help relieve symptoms
3) The person subjected to carbon monoxide should be taken to the local emergency room as soon as possible for treatment
There are many dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning associated with using generators. This is increased when a person uses the generator in an inappropriate manner. It is very important to always read all safety guidelines associated with the generator. Understand them and abide by them to avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning while using a portable home generator. Whatever the reason you are using the generator it is not worth taking any risks with your life from carbon monoxide poisoning.