BATON ROUGE- Once again this hurricane season, Louisiana finds itself being targeted by a tropical system. Because of that, the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) is reminding residents to keep safety in mind when utilizing portable generators.

“We have shared this message, at length, across southwest, central and north Louisiana following Hurricane Laura and the multiple carbon monoxide deaths that occurred after that disaster,” said State Fire Marshal Chief H. “Butch” Browning, “We shared it again for those in southeast Louisiana as Hurricane Sally was approaching. And now with Hurricane Delta likely impacting a significant portion of the state, we are asking all residents to educate yourselves about generator safety now.”

Generators produce carbon monoxide, which is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill without warning. That’s why it’s also imperative to have a carbon monoxide detector for your home, especially if you plan on using a generator.

The following generator safety tips are simple, but effective in saving lives:

Do not place generators inside of any structure including garages, carports and sheds

Instead, place the generator at least 20 feet away from your home, down-wind away from open doors, windows and vents

Before refueling, turn the generator off and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes

Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet

Instead, use a heavy-duty, outdoor extension cord to plug appliances into generators

Do not use in rain or wet conditions

Have a fire extinguisher nearby

Have a carbon monoxide monitor for your home