Many times power outages last for only a few hours, but if you’ve ever experienced severe weather conditions, you know that power outages can stretch for days or even weeks. Propane standby generators are a safe and reliable source of back-up. Burnwell Propane offers reminders for operating back-up generators safely and properly.

• Never operate a generator indoors or in an enclosed area as they produce high levels of carbon monoxide.
• Generators should always be used outdoors, away from house windows and vents. Know how you’re planning to use your back-up generator for power during an outage and hook up the power accordingly.
• If using an extension cord, make sure it’s a heavy-duty, outdoor extension cord in good working condition with a plug that has 3 prongs and a grounding pin. This hook up will allow you to run 1-2 appliance or a few lights in your home.
• Hire a licensed electrician if you decide to hook up your back-up generator with a transfer or bypass switch. This hook up will allow you run additional appliances, such as your furnace, during power outages.
• Hire a licensed plumber to install gas connections for a propane-powered generator.
• Keep an eye on your generator’s fuel level so it doesn’t get too low. Shut off the generator and allow it to cool down before refueling.