Skip to main content
Home
Visitors
Residents
Town Government
Business
How Do I?
  Beaches
  Chamber of Commerce
  History of Longboat Key
  Longboat Key Library
  Parks and Recreation
  Pet Information
  Public Transportation & Traffic Tips
  Tennis Center
  Beach Access Addresses and Directions
  Beach Conditions
  Beach Management Plan
  Beach Rules and Regulations
  Healthy Beaches
  Public Beach Access
  SeaTurtles
  Shorebirds
  Wrack
  Peak Season Traffic Tips
  A Key To Your Health
  CodeRED Emergency Notifications
  Fertilizer Management
  Frequently Asked Questions
  Hurricane Information
  If You See a Bird in Distress
  Longboat Key Foundation
  Longboat Key Garden Club
  Longboat Key Library
  Longboat Key Rotary Club
  New to Town
  Parks and Recreation
  Pet Information
  Public Transportation & Traffic Tips
  Recycling/Trash
  Report a Concern
  State & Federal Officials
  Turtle Watch
  Utility Billing
  Water Conservation and Irrigation
  General Information
  Before the Storm
  During the Storm
  After the Storm
  Notice to Contractors
  Longboat Key Disaster Preparedness Seminar Video
  People with Special Needs
  Hurricane Categories
  Hurricane Recovery Information
  Preparation Myths and Facts
  Disaster Supplies Kit
  Disaster Supplies Kit Checklist
  Documents to Safeguard
  What About My Pets
  Emergency Numbers and Websites
  Evacuation Shelters
  Local Radio and TV Stations
  Portable Electric Generators
  Things to Take to a Shelter
  Consumer Protection Tips
  Coping Without Public Services
  Florida Disaster Contractors Network
  Hurricane Re-entry Plan
  Local Contractors Listing
  Turn Around Don't Drown
  Peak Season Traffic Tips
  Town Commission
  Town Manager
  Agenda & Minutes
  Boards and Committees
  Departments
  Town Charter & Code
  Public Notices
  Manatee County
  Sarasota County
  My Florida
  ADA Notice
  Beach District A and B
  Commission Meetings Live
  Consolidated Pension Retirement System
  Town Commission Districts and Municipal Elections
  Agendas, Minutes & Video
  Commission Meetings Live
  Function of the Town Commission
  Types of Commission Action
  Town Manager Brief
  Function of Boards and Committees
  Finance
  Fire Rescue
  Human Resources
  IT Department
  Parks and Recreation
  Planning, Zoning & Building
  Police Department
  Public Works
  Purchasing
  Tennis Center
  Town Clerk
  Utility Billing
  Ambulance / EMS Billing
  Annual Budgets
  Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR)
  Financial Summary
  Frequently Asked Questions
  Purchasing
  Transparency in Government
  Utility Billing
  Water, Sewer and Garbage Rates
  Compliments On Our Services
  EMS Ambulance Billing
  File of Life
  Fire Prevention
  History of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department
  Image Gallery
  Meet Your Fire Chief
  Patient Privacy Notice
  Your Health & Safety
  EMS Ambulance Billing
  Employee Benefits
  Employment Opportunities and Applications
  Bayfront Park
  Bicentennial Park
  Joan M. Durante Park
  Overlook Park
  Parks Rules and Regulations
  Pet Licenses Required
  Quick Point Nature Preserve
  Sarasota Bay
  Tennis Center
  Basketball, Pickleball, Shuffleboard and Tennis Courts
  Children's Playground
  Dog Park
  Kayak Launch
  Recreation Center Activities Schedule
  Recreation Center Fitness Class Descriptions
  Recreation Center Rental & Membership
  Park Rules
  Children's Playground
  Park Rules
  Park Rules
  Park Rules
  Building Division
  Code Enforcement
  Elevation Certificate Search
  Fertilizer Management
  Planning and Zoning Division
  Contractor Notices
  Forms and Documents
  Frequently Asked Questions
  Online Permit Search
  Permit Fees
  Code Enforcement Board Agenda & Minutes
  Frequently Asked Questions
  Marine Turtle Protection
  Report a Concern
  FWC Certified Wildlife Lighting
  Ordinance 2016-15, Chapter 100 - Marine Turtles
  Report a Concern
  Fertilizer BMP Training
  Certificate of Built Conditions
  Forms and Documents
  Frequently Asked Questions
  Subdivision Regulations Chapter 157
  Zoning Code Chapter 158
  Department Units
  Hurricane Re-entry Plan
  Meet Police Chief Peter A. Cumming
  Public Safety Websites
  Australian Pine Removal Program
  Frequently Asked Questions
  Garbage, Recycling and Yard Waste
  New to Town
  Public Forum Permit Application for Special Events
  Streets and Rights-of-Way
  Water and Sewer
  Application Process
  Garbage and Recycling Carts
  Household Hazardous Waste
  Recycling
  Yard Waste
  Cross-Connection Control Program
  Water Conservation and Irrigation
  Water Quality
  The Facts on Leaks
  Annual Budget
  Current Bid Opportunities
  Doing Business with the Town
  Quick Reference Guide
  Business Tax Receipts
  Custodian of Public Records
  Elections
  History of the Municipal Clerk
  Meetings & Agendas
  The Viva Florida 500
  Town Boards and Committees
  Town Charter & Code
  Business Tax Receipts Application and Forms
  _March 12, 2019 General Election
  Frequently Asked Questions
  New To Town
  Water, Sewer and Garbage Rates
  Background
  Town Charter & Code
  Business Tax Receipts
  Chamber of Commerce
  Doing Business with the Town
  Online Tracking - Permit Inspection & Contractors
  Apply For...
  Arrange...
  Contact....
  Get...
  Register for...
  View...
  a Marriage License?
  A Public Forums Permit?
  Building Permit
  Fertilizer Management Training
  Jobs?
  Town Board or Committee?
  A special event at the beach or park?
  My Commissioner
  Town Staff
  a Business Tax Receipt?
  a copy of a Police Report?
  Answers to FAQs?
  Elevation Certificate
  CodeRED
  Email Notifications
  Voting
  Agendas and Minutes
  Commission Meetings Live
  Elevation Certificates
  Forms and Documents
  Online Permit Search
  Public Notices
  Town Budget
  Traffic Maps
  Water Quality Information
Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Get our RSS Feeds Sign up for E-News  
TERMS OF USE
During the Storm
  Emergency Numbers and Websites
  Evacuation Shelters
  Local Radio and TV Stations
  Portable Electric Generators
  Things to Take to a Shelter


 
Residents » Hurricane Information » During the Storm » Portable Electric Generators
Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Printer Friendly Version 
Portable Electric Generators
Portable electric generators offer great benefits when outages affect your home. Below are guidelines for safely connecting and operating portable generators.

Don't connect your generator directly to your home's wiring.
Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your home's wiring can 'backfeed' onto the power lines connected to your home.
   
Our portable electric generator safety tips can help you avoid personal injury and expensive damage.

Utility transformers can then "step-up" or increase this backfeed to thousands of volts—enough to kill a utility lineman making outage repairs a long way from your house. You could also cause expensive damage to utility equipment and your generator.

The only safe way to connect a portable electric generator to your existing wiring is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch. The transfer switch transfers power from the utility power lines to the power coming from your generator.

Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet.
Plugging a generator into a regular household outlet can energize "dead" power lines and injure neighbors or utility workers. Connect individual appliances that have their outdoor-rated power cords directly to the receptacle outlet of the generator, or connect these cord-connected appliances to the generator with the appropriate outdoor-rated power cord having a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.

Don't overload the generator.
Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics. Prioritize your needs. A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment.

Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage.
Just like your automobile, a portable generator uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide. Be sure to place the generator where exhaust fumes will not enter the house. Only operate it outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain and snow, preferably under a canopy, open shed or carport.

Use the proper power cords.
Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage. Don't use extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding. Make sure the cords from the generator don't present a tripping hazard. Don't run cords under rugs where heat might build up or cord damage may go unnoticed.

Read and adhere to the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation.
Don't cut corners when it comes to safety. Carefully read and observe all instructions in your portable electric generator's owner manual.

To prevent electrical shock, make sure your generator is properly grounded.
Consult your manufacturer's manual for correct grounding procedures.

Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it's running.
Gasoline (and other flammable liquids) should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers. They should not be stored in a garage if a fuel-burning appliance is in the garage. The vapor from gasoline can travel invisibly along the ground and be ignited by pilot lights or electric arcs caused by turning on the lights. Avoid spilling fuel on hot components. Put out all flames or cigarettes when handling gasoline. Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near the generator. Never attempt to refuel a portable generator while it's running.

Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting down your generator.

Avoid getting burned.
Many generator parts are hot enough to burn you during operation.

Keep children away from portable electric generators at all times.


           
 
 
Town of Longboat Key    -    501 Bay Isles Road Longboat Key, FL 34228    -    Phone: (941) 316-1999 Fax: (941) 316-1656
Site Map   |   Contact Us
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.