Generators are a hot commodity

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- They flew off the shelves during Tropical Storm Irene and the Autumn Nor'easter. Now, generators are once again a hot commodity, but if you use them the wrong way, they can be deadly.

"They are pretty much getting ready for Armageddon," said Matt Girouard, service manager.

At Butler Power Equipment in West Hartford, the first sale of the day was a generator and by noon they were all gone.

After Tropical Storm Irene and the Autumn Nor'Easter people have a new respect for mother nature.

"Once you hear of a big storm, they go crazy, they call all day and all night," said shop manager Deondre Holly. "It's bananas."

"There is a bit of panic and hurry, hurry, hurry, you know," said Girouard.

There are plenty of generators back in the repair shop. News 8's Bob Wilson counted six back there Thursday, and those were just the ones inside for service. There were a dozen more outside waiting for repair, and that is one thing the service center recommends; take your generator now and make sure it works before the lights go out.

"Don't leave the gas in longer than 30 days, ethanol is a huge problem," said Holly.

With stores sold out of generators from East Granby to West Hartford, firefighters say there are that many new owners who have never used a generator and aren't aware of the dangers.

"Make sure the generators are outdoors and away from windows and other avenues where the fumes can get in," said Chief Richard Winn.

Last year, a Bloomfield woman was overcome with carbon monoxide fumes after placing the generator in her basement. And in Meriden 10 people had to be taken to the hospital and treated for CO poisoning, but fumes are not the only danger.

"When you are refilling your generator stop it and let it cool down before you start pouring gas in it because with the gas vapor and hot motor it could ignite," said Chief Winn.