MANHATTAN, Kan. - With winter storms predicted in Kansas and much of the nation, power outages are possible.

Such seasonal weather can be dangerous, but if considering the purchase of a portable generator, consumers should be aware of the risks as well as the benefits of using them, said Bruce Snead, Kansas State University residential energy specialist.

Problems resulting from using a generator typically develop if a homeowner tries to run a generator indoors, he said.

"A generator should never be run indoors," Snead said. Doing so can be deadly because generators produce carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that is poisonous.

Snead shared tips regarding home safety during harsh weather:

* If using a generator, follow manufacturer´s instructions exactly.

* If using a generator outside the home to power appliances inside, plug the appliances directly into the unit, rather than plugging the generator into a wall outlet (that would then allow electricity to travel out of the house and onto electric lines).

* Use caution when using extension cords to make the connection; place the generator away from combustible building materials and landscaping, and monitor use.

* Warnings about potentially toxic fumes are not limited to generators. Using a charcoal or gas grill, kerosene heater or gas oven to heat a home during a power outage also can produce toxic fumes.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headaches and dizziness. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak, get to fresh air right away. Do not delay. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be rapidly incapacitating and lead to death.

* Use caution with fireplaces and woodstoves. A recent fire that destroyed a home in Kansas was attributed to overusing a fireplace - studs in the wall near the fireplace caught fire.

* Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns, rather than candles that can cause a fire.

If leaving a home to seek shelter from a continuing power outage, Snead said:

* Turn off and unplug appliances;

* Open cupboard doors to allow heat available to reach pipes;

* Shut off the water to minimize potential damage from an indoor flood;

* Button up the house - close windows and doors; set the thermostat at a minimum of 55 degrees F.

* If a neighbor is remaining behind, ask him or her to check your house daily for any signs of major water leaks and show the neighbor where the water shutoff is located. This can be done when they pick up mail or newspapers for you.

* Take a contact list - and maybe the local phone book - with you, so you can call numbers needed to arrange service calls when power is restored and/or the storm has passed. More information about energy in the home is available on Kansas State University´s Energy Extension Service Web site: http://www.engext.ksu.edu/.

Sidebar: If Pipes Freeze . . .

MANHATTAN, Kan. - An indoor flood can be costly, said Bruce Snead, Kansas State University Research and Extension residential energy specialist, who provided recommendations to minimize flood damage if pipes freeze:

* Make sure family members know how to shut off the water. If pipes burst, shutting off the water flow can minimize damage to the home. Then, call a plumber and your insurance agent.

* Do not try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch.

* Be careful - there is a potential for electric shock in - and around - standing water.

- Source: Kansas State University Research and Extension

Box - When a Power Failure Occurs:

* To save heat, close off unneeded rooms; cover windows at night and stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors.

* Maintain adequate food and water intake - food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.

* Let faucets drip a little to prevent freezing damage.

* Turn off most light switches, furnace switch and unplug refrigerator and freezer. The surge of returning electrical power can damage the motors of appliances.

* Use food from the refrigerator first and leave the freezer door closed.

* After power is restored, examine food for signs of spoilage before re-freezing.

For more information, contact the local K-State Research and Extension office.

- Source: Kansas State University Research and Extension  

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