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Is your generator ready for a potential power outage?

Posted at 5:28 PM, Feb 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-22 17:28:22-05

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — is there a generator lying around in your garage? It's time to dust it off because you may need it come Sunday. Western New York is bracing itself for some of the highest winds it's sustained in decades, with gusts reaching more than 70 mph.

A generator can mean the difference between your home having sustained power or not, but if you haven't used it in a while what are some of the first things you can do before getting it serviced?

  1. Change the spark plug(s)
  2. Empty the old fuel from the gas tank, by running your generator or detaching the fuel line.
  3. Fill your tank with new fuel, preferably TruFuel, a non ethanol based fuel

Ethanol based fuel sitting in your generator for lengthy periods of time can cause issues to develop over time.

“It keeps the gunk out of your carburetor, keeps your spark plug cleaner, keeps everything running a little nicer," Peter Anderson of Arthur's True Value Hardware said.

Remember to run your generator outside and never inside or in your garage because of carbon monoxide associated risks.

If you don't own a generator there are other ways to prepare for the wind storm too. The American Red Cross recommends an emergency kit, packed with:

  • Three days worth of water and (non-perishable) food per person
  • Flashlight
  • Batteries
  • Battery-powered radio
  • Blanket
  • Extra clothes
  • Phone chargers
  • Medicine (along with any necessary paperwork)

“Power outage is probably the biggest concern with a wind storm like this, think about either not being able to leave your house for a few days because of trees or tree limbs down or the opposite and having to leave very quickly," Jay Bonafede of the American Red Cross said.