Benefits of a Generator During Cyclone Season

When the going gets tough, power up with a Generator

With Australian weather turning more turbulent and unpredictable than ever, it's no wonder more and more people are turning to generators for cyclone backup power.

As anyone who experienced Cyclone Yasi will tell, power outages are part and parcel of a cyclone situation. In the cyclone aftermath, houses, offices and shops will often be out of power for days, weeks, even months while rescue and recovery work battles on. That's why residents and businesses in Cyclone-Affected Areas are using generators to keep day-to-day life powered up.

Be prepared

No power can make life tough. It means no refrigeration to keep food and drinks fresh; no lights which puts families at risk of intruders and accidents; and crucially, it means no radio, no television and no way of charging mobile phone batteries to stay in contact with the world and find out important safety messages. That's why it pays to go back to the old Boy Scout motto: be prepared. Backup Generators help restore power for the essential items, making life that little bit easier through the tough times. But most importantly, it helps keep your family or business safe.

Build a back-up power plan If you know your home or business is in a Cyclone-Affected Area, it's worth putting together a back-up power plan in case the weather turns. This should include a Portable Generator. First, be sure to do your research and purchase a generator that can provide reliable backup power. Then, so long as you are vigilant and follow these important safety rules, you will have the backup you need during an emergency situation:

• If you're using a generator to power your home, it must be connected via a change-over switch installed by a licensed electrical contractor. If not, the power from your generator could energise power lines nearby, causing an electric shock to anyone coming into contact.
• Always be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. If in doubt, seek expert advice.
• Only use Portable Generators to power essential equipment, such as fridges. A handy tip is to not open the freezer or refrigerator once the power goes out in order to keep food fresh for longer.
• Keep all cables and leads protected from water.
• Don't exceed the generator's load rating. This can be found in the manufacturer's instructions.
• Only run generators in a well-ventilated area, ideally outdoors. If you're concerned it might be stolen, chain it securely to a post.
• Remember to turn the generator off to refuel.

Generators help businesses power through Portable generators shouldn't only provide backup power for households, they are also an essential tool for businesses. As Australian weather becomes more destructive, every business - no matter its size - should be protected with a backup power plan. In the cyclone aftermath, a Power Generator can help maintain important databases and provide power for lights so that people can move to a safe place. Businesses will benefit from a power plan to ensure everyone knows what happens if a cyclone hits. This will also ensure there is someone or a group of people responsible for the Power Generator and they understand how to use it safely.

With the right backup power plan and a portable generator you can rely on, even the toughest situation will become easier to handle. For more information, visit www.mygenerator.com.au

DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.