• Consult a licensed electrician to select the right generator for your home or business. Make sure it meets national and local safety code requirements.
  • Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation. The correct way to connect a generator is to have a certified electrician install a power transfer switch.
  • Never use a generator indoors. Use only in a well-ventilated area to reduce risk of inhaling harmful fumes.
  • Never connect a generator directly to your home or building's electrical circuits.
  • If connected to a breaker panel or fuse box, turn off or disconnect the main breaker to the house while the generator is in use.
  • Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.
  • Avoid contact with bare wires or terminals.
  • Always use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) in damp or highly conductive area.
  • Do not overload your generator and use only appropriate power cords for connecting appliances.
  • Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting down your generator. Have a licensed electrician disconnect your generator unless it has an automatic device.
  • Check the cords connecting the generator to make sure they are in good shape.
  • Check to make sure the generator and all its parts are in good condition.
  • Never refuel a generator when it is hot and make sure you store fuel away from the generator itself.
  • Remove the gasoline from portable generators when they are not in use.
  • Change the oil regularly.
  • Test the generator on a regular basis.
  • Check the battery on electric-start models.
  • Check the exhaust system.

For information on purchasing or services generators, please visit Aero Energy, Adams Electric's subsidiary.

For a free booklet on sizing and selecting your generator, or to have someone from Adams Electric check your permanently-installed generator and its installation, contact Adams Electric toll-free at 1-888-232-6732.

  • Don't let heat escape. Close drapes and keep out drafts.
  • Use space heaters only in well-ventilated areas.
  • Check units and cords of space heaters to avoid over-heating.
  • Use a camp stove, wood stove, fireplace or can of sterno for cooking. Don't use charcoal, propane or any other fuels in unventilated areas. Burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide, which can be deadly in a tightly sealed room.
  • Fireplaces should be surrounded by a screen and have the damper left open. Remember, ashes may remain hot for more than 24 hours.
  • Fill your fuel tanks. If using a kerosene heater, maintain ventilation to avoid a build-up of toxic fumes. Don't move or refuel these heaters when they are hot.
  • A fully charged ETS (electric thermal storage) heating unit can normally provide heat for 12 hours if electricity is interrupted, although the fan will not operate. In most cases, fully charged ETS units without power will provide some warmth for at least two or more days.
  • If you must leave your home, make sure that all heat producing appliances (stoves, irons, etc.) are unplugged.