Storms or natural disasters can have the ability to knock your power out for an extended period of time. During an outage, portable generators can offer temporary power, but there are potential risks associated with the use of these generators. Generators can be dangerous, and can lead to illness and injury, and even death if used improperly.

When using a portable generator, it is important to take precautions for your safety and the safety of those in your home. Follow these guidelines for safe generator use:

• Read the manufacturer's safety and operating manual before using your generator.
• Never leave your generator running when you are away from your home or business.
• Check your generator regularly during operation.
• Use caution when touching your generator as many areas become hot and can burn you.