Let me take the time to reinforce a few safety measures as we work our way through the first hurricane of the year.
1. If you are using a generator to power some devices in your home remember don't run it inside your house and don't run it inside your garage. This causes huge heath and safety issues for you and your family. First the carbon monoxide will kill you quickly and secondly the chance of a fire dramatically increases. We have already seen people going to the hospital for CO illness. In some parts of the state people have already died because of improper use of gasoline powered devices such as generators. Leave them outside and away from both the home and any combustible material.
2. Make sure your smoke alarm and your CO detector are working properly. When was the last time you checked them??
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3. Don't overload your generator. Improper use or rigging it to do run more than what is capable of is a recipe for a disaster. Why risk it? Follow the instructions that came with it.
4. Are you using a chain saw to clear debris? Make sure you use all the safety devices that came with it and wear safety equipment for yourself (i.e. chaps, safety glasses, boots, pants).
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5. If you must go onto your roof or up into trees for some reason check the area first to ensure it is stable, the area is free from power lines and have someone with you to be a second set of eyes and ears. If this is something you haven't done before ask yourself if you should be attempting it. Maybe it would be best to call in the professionals.
6. Lastly use common sense. If it whatever you are doing seems wrong or gives you that "gut feeling" it probabl isn't something you want to try.