By Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter 
GENERATORS ARE good servants, but if misused can be very dangerous masters. The loss of three lives so far in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan is testament of this fact.
Possessing a generator, especially in the aftermath of a natural catastrophe, should have been a privilege, however, it has been reduced to the reason why the family and friends of three Jamaicans mourn.
The improper usage of generators can result in fires, which may result in the loss of life and property. Case in point - the death of 76-year-old Icilda Sauerlinder on September 12, 2004. She was burnt to death at her residence at 4 Lady Kay Drive, Norbrook, St. Andrew. It is reported that faulty wires connected to the generator aided in causing the fire.
Then there is the seemingly more venomous carbon monoxide, a gas which generators emit. It is tasteless, colourless and kills you slowly yet painlessly if the generator is placed in an area that is not properly ventilated.
Another case in point - the deaths of Lyndon 'Bootie' Mullings and Clarence 'Patta' Rodney, both of Junction in St. Elizabeth on September 17, 2004. Mullings 53, and Rodney 35, died in the former's grocery store where the latter was an employee, after they inhaled the toxic fumes from the generator that was running in the store.
STRANGE SEPTEMBER
Before these two post hurricane Ivan victims, this 'creeping killer' known as carbon monoxide also claimed the lives of a 32 year-old woman and her two children in September of 1997. Charmaine Stephens and her two daughters, Javelle, 3, and Chavelle, 4, of Norwood, St. James, died on a Saturday night from the carbon monoxide fumes produced by a stand-by generator operated in an enclosed, unventilated room. Noteworthy is the fact that all the cases mentioned thus far have occurred in the month of September. How ironic is that?
Either way, this is a matter that needs urgent attention. And, since malfunctioning generators did not cause the deaths, then going to the source is not answer. However, the suppliers maybe able to offer some help. Donovan Chen-See, director of sales and marketing at National Supply, authorised distributors of Porter Cable generators, is a devout believer in the premise of 'because of lack of knowledge my people perish'.
START UP ,SHUDOWN PROCEDURES
He believes generators should not be sold alone, but should be 'married' with adequate information on how to operate them in a safe and secure manner. "Our policy in selling equipment is not to sell a generator in a box... we assemble the generator for the person. We go through start-up and shutdown procedures as well as maintenance," he said. "It is not a small amount of money for a generator, the least you can do is show them how to use it," Mr. Chen-See added.
However, he said, ensuring the safety of customers is not the standard in the maret. "The norm in the industry is not to go through the procedures with the customers (but) I am not in a position to say why people don't do it, but we do it for the customer and the company (because) we are in business for the long run," he said.
Laurie Stewart, managing director of Arel Limited told The Gleaner that his company supplies customers with the manufacturer's manual, which he dubbed as "comprehensive in maintenance and operations".
TIPS
Make sure that the generator is installed in a ventilated area so exhaust gas does not enter occupied spaces.
Gasolene is more ignitable than diesel, therefore be extra careful while handling generators that are powered by gasolene.
Do not fuel generators while it is in operation or while it is hot, as it can cause a fire.
