'Worth its weight in gold': Homeowners invest in generators as Atlantic Canada experiences more severe storms
Generators are becoming an increasing necessity, and nuisance, in Atlantic Canada.
As the region experiences more frequent and severe storms with extended power outages, many homeowners are investing in generators.
Some people use generators to power medical equipment, while many others use them to keep fridges cold and cell phones charged.
Heather Reid of Gaetz Brook, N.S. bought a generator a week before hurricane Fiona hit the region.
She says the machine is "worth its weight in gold."
Reid says living in a rural area means the power often takes longer to be restored, and she was worried about food spoilage and caring for her baby during a prolonged outage.
But the increased use of generators in the region has prompted electricians to warn of potential safety issues.
John Benoit, an electrician and owner of Benoit Electric, says some generator set ups are dangerous.
He says not only is there a risk of carbon monoxide for people in the home, but improper generator use can also put power line technicians at risk.
The death of a person in P.E.I. last weekend was believed to be related to generator issues.
The surge in generator use has also sparked conversations about generator etiquette.
Tyler Jones, an electrician and owner of Novatech Electric in Dartmouth, says people should consider smaller, quieter inverter generators if they just need to power the essentials.
He says in most cases generators can also be shut off overnight.
Jones says homeowners that want more power or need to run a generator 24/7 should consider hiring an electrician to ensure the safest and most effective set up.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.