This week is national Fire Prevention Week. The Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association (PGMA), is a trade association focusing on safety and standards for portable generators, and we enthusiastically support the mission of Fire Prevention Week.
Most fire deaths are not caused by burns, but by smoke inhalation and the resulting buildup of carbon monoxide (CO) in the bloodstream.* CO is also a byproduct of portable generators, which is why PGMA’s year-round Take It Outside campaign reminds the public that the only safe place to operate a portable generator is outside, far away from dwellings, garages, and other buildings.
In addition to the risk of CO exposure, when positioned near or in personal dwellings, fuel leaks can also cause fires. Unfortunately, consumers are facing a new threat in this regard. Proposed rulemaking on emissions-related safety standards put forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) would create unintended fire hazards. Testing concludes that the CPSC’s rule changes could force portable generators’ exhaust temperatures over 1000°F — extreme temperatures that would prompt house fires and threaten owners’ safety. PGMA strongly opposes such measures. Learn more here.
We encourage you to use your platform to make constituents or viewers aware of National Fire Prevention Week and also the potential increased safety hazard posed by the CPSC’s proposed rule on portable generators. From recreational use to emergency use, portable generators, when used incorrectly, can result in dangerous CO exposure or cause fires. For this reason, we urge you to consider how vital it is for owners to develop a plan BEFORE they use their portable generator.
According to PGMA, the only safe place to use a portable generator is outside and far from any occupied dwelling. This requires planning for the distance and having the right amount of extension cords to bring power to a dwelling space.
General safety information: https://www.takeyourgeneratoroutside.com/safety-resources/severe-weather-preparedness/
