Generators are of course extremely useful and provide a power solution in many difficult situations. They do however need to be treated with great respect and with safety a crucial consideration if you are to avoid some potentially dangerous situations.

If you want to get the most from your diesel generators from Able Sales or other reputable supplier, here are some vital tips and advice to help you use your power generator as safely as possible.

Don’t skip the instruction manual

Probably the most obvious advice, but reading the instruction manual thoroughly and familiarising yourself with the workings of the generator is one of the most important safety steps you can take.

Every model of generator is going to have its subtle differences and irrespective of whether they all ultimately do the same thing, you must get to know the relevant dos and don’ts of your particular machine.

Even if you have previously owned a different generator in the past, never make any assumptions and don’t think that you can skip the instruction manual and everything will be ok.

Fresh air

Always run your portable generator outdoors.

Petrol and diesel-powered generators all have the capacity to produce deadly carbon monoxide fumes, so you should only every run the equipment outside and never within the confines of a garage, shed or other confined space where ventilation is an issue.

Practice good fuel safety

You must only ever consider using the right type of fuel that the manufacturer recommends for your power generator.

If you followed good advice and read the instructions, you will already know what fuel you need to use but also check operator instructions on the label of the machine as an extra precaution.

Make sure the generator is turned off before you attempt to refuel and if you do spill any petrol or diesel, make sure that you clear it up straight away.

Know your limits

Every power generator has its limits and trying to get more power than it is designed for is potentially asking for trouble.

You should primarily determine the amount of power that you need so that you avoid overloading your generator. If your generator is not able to produce enough power to operate everything that you want it to, it is far safer to simply stagger the use of your equipment rather than attempt to overload your generator to a level where safety becomes an issue.

The right connection

It is also very important that you ensure that items are connected properly to the power generator at all times.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for specific guidance and plug appliances into the generator either directly or through a suitable heavy-duty extension cord that has a rating at least equal to the sum of the connected appliances.

Under no circumstances whatsoever should you attempt to power your house by plugging the generator directly into a wall outlet.

Follow these few words of advice and take the time to familiarise yourself with the workings of your generator. If you do this, hopefully you will stay safe and get the best use out of your equipment.