Pain at the pump hits home during spring power outages

That familiar pain at the gas pump may hit close to home this spring when preparing for power outages. Homeowners should prepare now before spring storms hit – and that includes prepping your portable generator with enough gas to run during a power outage. 

• Most generators run on gas, and a standard generator typically consumes about 0.75 gallons per hour.
• If you ran the portable generator for a day, that would consume about 18 gallons.
• With average gas prices hovering around $4 per gallon in the U.S. right now, the cost to run the generator would be around $72 a day.

Homeowners are encouraged to budget now for this increased gas cost, and not be caught off guard when storms hit. It's also important to note that gas is going to be one of the hardest fuels to find in emergencies.

Homeowners also should take several safety precautions when handling generators and gas, and watch for potential fire hazards:

• Let generators cool before storing or refueling. If fuel spills on the unit's hot engine parts, it could ignite.
• Store generator fuel away from other fuels or combustible materials, and on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet away from children and pets.
• Keep fuel in a proper storage container with clear labeling.
• Use generators safely. If you have a portable generator, only run it outdoors with adequate ventilation. Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages. The exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if inhaled.

After a power outage, if you do have a loss of food or appliance damage, check your home insurance policy or small business policy to see if the loss may be covered. If there are questions, please contact your State Farm agent.