Energex has urged the owners of electricity generators to check their equipment is in good working order ahead of the storm season.
Work Group Leader at Energex, Ryan Campbell said it was important to do this check and to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk,” Mr Campbell said.
“This deadly gas is odourless and invisible so you cannot rely on your senses to detect it.
“You need to take lifesaving precautions for your own safety and to protect others — only use the generator in a well-ventilated area outdoors and away from any open windows, including those of your neighbours.”
He said there were battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms, which worked much like a smoke detector and sounded an alert when it sensed dangerous levels of the deadly gas.
“Energex also recommends changeover switches, which need to be installed at your property by a licensed electrical contractor,” Mr Campbell said.
“You should never connect your generator directly into the network because there’s a risk it might back-feed and cause an electric shock or worse to our workers on the line.”
Mr Campbell said Energex recommended a changeover switch on the switchboard to isolate the property from the network for the safety of its crews and everyone in the neighbourhood.
An adequate fuel supply and safe storage should also be on the storm season checklist.
“There are risks around the storage of fuel, so make sure it’s in a safe space, out of direct sunlight and in a well-ventilated area,” Mr Campbell said.
