Skip to main content
View Electric Usage & Pay Bill
Electric Outage Map
TextPower
Pay Fiber/Internet Bill
Contact Us
Home

REPORT AN ELECTRIC OUTAGE online 
or call: 765.342.3344

Menu

Latest

  • Is an Electric Vehicle right for you?
  • Click here to read your current monthly member newsletter.
1 of 2 
  • COOPERATIVE
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Board of Directors
      • About - Board of Directors
      • Meet the Board of Directors
      • Board of Director Meetings Minutes
      • Districts Map
      • SCI REMC Bylaws
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Co-Op Owners For Political Action
    • Newsletter
    • Careers
  • MEMBER SERVICES
    • New Members
    • Connect/Disconnect/Transfer Service
    • Payment & Billing Options
      • Ways to Pay
      • Prepaid Electric
      • Budget Billing
    • Energy Assistance
    • Rates
    • Billing Cycles & Meter Reading
    • Capital Credits
    • Outage Information
    • TextPower
    • Wiring Manuals
    • Safety
    • Emergency Repair
  • COMMUNITY
    • Operation RoundUp
    • Youth Programs
      • Programs
      • Energy Explorer Day Camp
      • Page Day at the Statehouse
      • Youth Tour To Washington, D.C.
    • Community Room Rental
    • Live Line Demonstration
    • John D. Rudd Memorial Scholarship
    • Energy Explorers
  • SAVINGS
    • Energy Audit
    • Heat Pumps & Geothermals
    • Lighting/LED
    • Rebates and Credits
  • SCI FIBER
    • Internet
    • Residential Internet
    • Business Internet
  • VEGETATION
    • About Vegetation Management
    • Planting Guidelines
    • Tree Replacement
    • Wildlife Enhancement Program
    • Wood Chip Request
  • EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
    • Solar Energy
    • Electric Vehicles
      • Cooperative Charge FAQ

Backup generator safety for your home

Wednesday | December 15, 2021
All News

If your white Christmas goes dark from an electrical blackout, an electric generator can be a great resource for homeowners, especially if the storm and damage are severe and the outage is prolonged. But small portable generators pose risks homeowners need to guard against carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution or electric shock, and fire.

RISK #1: CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

Small generators use a combustion engine that usually burns gasoline or other liquid fuels. Like any gas-powered machine, these small engines produce carbon monoxide. To prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, keep generators outdoors, away from doors, windows, and vents. Position your generator’s exhaust away from your home and locate the generator downwind, if possible.

RISK #2: ELECTROCUTION OR ELECTRIC SHOCK

To avoid the risk of electrocution, do not use a generator in rainy or wet conditions. It’s also important to not handle the generator with wet hands to avoid electric shock.

Before plugging appliances or electronics into your generator, make sure your generator is sized appropriately for the total electric load you want it to run. Make sure the cords all fit appropriately and are undamaged.

To keep utility workers, neighbors and those in your household from electrocution dangers, never plug your generator directly into your home’s wiring. “Backfeeding” sends power from the generator throughout your house in reverse and can even feed onto your electric utility’s power lines. Workers attempting to restore power might unexpectedly encounter this high voltage, which could cause fatal shock. To prevent a “backfeed,” have a professional install a transfer switch if you want your generator to run your home’s electrical system during an outage.

RISK #3: BURNS AND FIRE

When using a generator, store extra fuel in an American National Standards Institute-approved container in a cool, well-ventilated place away from fuel-burning appliances.

Before refueling your generator, turn it off and let it cool. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. 

Keeping these three risks in mind when installing or using your home’s generator will aid in your safety, your home and others.

Source: ESFI, Safe Electricity, Red Cross


PREVENTING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

  • Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area.
  • Keep generators outdoors, away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
  • Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home. Although CO can’t be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY.
  • Install CO detectors in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide. Test the batteries frequently and replace them when needed.
  • If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.

Source: Red Cross


GENERATOR DOS AND DON’TS

DO operate a generator outdoors in an area with plenty of ventilation.

DO install CO alarms inside the home to provide an early warning of carbon monoxide. 

DO NOT plug a generator into the wall without installing a transfer switch to prevent backfeed.

DO turn the generator on before plugging in appliances. 

DO NOT touch the generator with wet hands to avoid electrocution.

DO turn off the generator before refueling with gasoline to allow it to cool down.

DO NOT overload the generator.

DO use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cord rated at least equal to the sum of the connected appliances.

DO NOT use a generator as a permanent solution.

DO consult the owner’s manual for your generator for specific safety instructions.

Back to Top

Quick Links

  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Legal Info
  • Privacy Policy
  • FB Contest Rules

Address & Phone

South Central Indiana REMC 
300 Morton Avenue
Martinsville, IN 46151
Toll-free: (800) 264-REMC (7362)
Local: (765) 342-3344

SCI Connect App

Report an outage, view your usage, pay your bill and more!

App Store  Google Play

Follow Us Online

©2022 South Central Indiana REMC. All Rights Reserved.

  • COOPERATIVE
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Board of Directors
      • About - Board of Directors
      • Meet the Board of Directors
      • Board of Director Meetings Minutes
      • Districts Map
      • SCI REMC Bylaws
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Co-Op Owners For Political Action
    • Newsletter
    • Careers
  • MEMBER SERVICES
    • New Members
    • Connect/Disconnect/Transfer Service
    • Payment & Billing Options
      • Ways to Pay
      • Prepaid Electric
      • Budget Billing
    • Energy Assistance
    • Rates
    • Billing Cycles & Meter Reading
    • Capital Credits
    • Outage Information
    • TextPower
    • Wiring Manuals
    • Safety
    • Emergency Repair
  • COMMUNITY
    • Operation RoundUp
    • Youth Programs
      • Programs
      • Energy Explorer Day Camp
      • Page Day at the Statehouse
      • Youth Tour To Washington, D.C.
    • Community Room Rental
    • Live Line Demonstration
    • John D. Rudd Memorial Scholarship
    • Energy Explorers
  • SAVINGS
    • Energy Audit
    • Heat Pumps & Geothermals
    • Lighting/LED
    • Rebates and Credits
  • SCI FIBER
    • Internet
    • Residential Internet
    • Business Internet
  • VEGETATION
    • About Vegetation Management
    • Planting Guidelines
    • Tree Replacement
    • Wildlife Enhancement Program
    • Wood Chip Request
  • EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
    • Solar Energy
    • Electric Vehicles
      • Cooperative Charge FAQ