Posted: March 3, 2025

How To Use A Generator Safely

Take care of your equipment so that it can take care of you

Having a generator on standby in your Eastern North Carolina home is incredibly important. Anyone who lives in the area knows we get hit with all sorts of less-than-ideal weather, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and heavy rainstorms – all of which can cause the power to go out. You definitely do not want to be unprepared when this happens.

In these situations, a generator can give you, your family, and your home an invaluable level of protection and comfort.

But before you turn that generator on, there are all sorts of things to know about how to use the piece of equipment safely.

Safety precautions to take while using a generator

Here are some best practices that can help you stay out of harm’s way while using a generator:

• A generator should only be used outdoors (using one inside is not safe even if you leave doors and windows open) and it should be kept dry at all times.
• Turn your generator off when it is not being used.
• Keep your generator away from any potential sources of ignition.
• You should not use a generator without a working carbon monoxide detector nearby.
• Clean and change your generator’s air filter regularly to keep harmful debris out of the air you breathe in.
• Let your generator cool down completely before refueling it.

Properly maintaining your generator

Generators can do so much for you and your family. When the power goes out, a generator can keep medical equipment running, your home’s security system operational, your heat and air conditioning flowing, your refrigerator cooling, your cell phones and other devices charged, and your lights on.

A well-working generator can really take care of you, so return the favor and take care of your generator. To properly maintain your generator, you should:

• Always have an extra supply of fluid on hand so you know you have enough to get through an emergency.
• To make sure your battery is working and to keep fluids moving, power up your generator for about 30 minutes every three months.
• Regularly inspect your equipment for signs of corrosion and wire connections that have accidentally come loose.
• Replace any old and worn-out parts.
• Clean your generator between uses to help it last longer.

Any homeowner that has a generator is probably going to feel better knowing that it is in solid shape and ready to do its job in the event of a blackout. So take the time to put you and your equipment in the best position possible.

Get a standby generator from Tidewater Energy

Be prepared for a blackout with a Kohler whole-house standby generator from Tidewater Energy. Not only can we install this type of generator for you on your Eastern North Carolina property, but we can also help with maintenance when you need it. We are basically a one-stop shop for generator services!

Standby generators start automatically as soon as they get the signal that the power has gone out, which means no one has to go outside when the weather is bad to turn them on. They are also weatherproof, insulated, and help keep carbon monoxide levels down.

Contact Tidewater Energy today to learn more about how you can protect your home with a whole-house standby generator.