Tip of the Day: How to safely use a generator during a weather emergency
A series of devastating ice storms recently knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of residents in New York State and New England, and carbon-monoxide poisoning caused by backup generators has claimed three lives.
Thousands of homes were without power several days after the storms hit, and more wintry weather has been forecast throughout the country for this week. So it's a good time to review the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's alert on portable generators and our advice for using generators safely (also watch the safety video, right, and our video buying guide).
If you're in the market for a generator, read our report on portable and whole-house generators and use our free wattage calculator to determine which model you need.
Essential information: Our Storm & Emergency Guide offers expert advice for coping with a wide array of natural disasters. To get advance warning of bad weather, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.
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Posted by: DR Clifford Glade | May 19, 2009 10:30:49 AM
I can not find a good link to your generator ratings, please provide one, thank you.
Posted by: Pat Murphy | May 24, 2009 6:16:18 PM
The link to the "report on portable and whole-house generators" is broken.
Posted by: Amy | May 30, 2009 12:56:03 PM
Hello? Can you please fix this link? It is still broken 11 days after having been reported.
Posted by: Jim | May 30, 2009 7:55:25 PM
This link is not displaying. I would like to look at the report. 5/50/09 Thanks!
Posted by: Mark Thornton | May 30, 2009 10:01:52 PM
I see comments from two other "members" who cannot find your ratings of portable power generators. There is a report on portable and whole house generators with a link to the ratings. The link doesn't work. I am the third person to write (that I know of) telling you this. Would you please tell me the link to your ratings of portable power generators. Please post it or repair the bad link. This is the second time I have encountered this problem. Without knowledge of improvements, I cannot recommend membership in CR.org. The idea is exciting as it is very useful to me, a lifelong user of your magazine. But if it doesn't work........
Thanks in advance for your assistance. This is very timely here in Florida.
Mark
Posted by: Jose Avila | Jun 6, 2009 4:53:32 PM
The link does not display the generator ratings.
Posted by: Carolyn | Jun 6, 2009 9:43:39 PM
The generator ratings link is STILL broken. HELP.
Posted by: Mike Malan | Jun 8, 2009 3:28:18 AM
What a disappointment not being able to access your generator ratings. Ease of access is what cr.org is all about, but you are found failing in your responsibility to the subscriber. I wonder how many other areas are lacking. Shape up and spend more time on documenting your findings and less time tasting chocolate.
Fortunately, I have buying guides going back many years, and doing as I have always done before, and now EVEN with cr.org, I must search each idex to identify the issue date, incidently nov03 & oct06, of your ratings and discussions of generators. Fortunately again, I found both or these issues in my pile of CR magazines. Thanks for a good job most of the time.
Posted by: Richard Rotundo | Jun 9, 2009 9:46:40 AM
I'm trying to access the generator ratings and have not yet been able to do so. It seems lots of people have this problem and it's still not solved. This is important information for those who live in hurricane prone parts of the country and should be readily accessible to members.
Thanks for providing the link.
Posted by: Gayle Kellar | Jun 12, 2009 4:57:13 PM
What's the deal? How many people have to complain about a faulty link to access a report before you guys get it fixed! Hurricane season is fast approaching. I would really like to see what CR has to say about portable gasoline generators.
Wake up already!!!
Posted by: Gayle Kellar | Jun 12, 2009 5:14:18 PM
How long does it take to fix a link? You mention in your report you reviewed 15 portable generators. Sure would be nice if that report could be found. Hurricane season is fast approaching and CR can't seem to read all these postings about a link down and CR Subscribers aren't able to view a report. Wake up guys!!!
Posted by: William | Sep 6, 2009 10:59:35 AM
Why can't I find the emergency generator ratings? All the other info is readily available at the home improvement stores. Does CR pay no attention to customer feedback?
EDITOR: 9/11/09--GENERATOR STORY AND RATINGS ARE HERE:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/safety-security/generators/overview/index.htm
Posted by: pingmann | Sep 6, 2009 10:04:34 PM
You'd think you could go to Consumer Reports website, type in something as basic as a generator or flashlight and get reviews.