With all these sudden plunges into pitch shadowy blackness ever so often these days in South Africa, I’m pretty sure that most of you might have overhead your parents deep in conversations concerning the consideration of taking matters into their own hands where electricity is concerned. They’re thinking of purchasing electricity generators for the home.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere condolences to the “Capetonians” who, earlier this week, had to sit without their PCs, microwave ovens, television sets and the like for no less than 5 hours. However before we storm out of our homes at the crack of dawn to buy the first generator we can lay our hands on, we should stop to think of the implications and the risks involved with such a commitment.

My HIP2B² year project for 2008 involves the furtive and dangerous gas, Carbon Monoxide (CO). Tasteless, colourless, and odourless, one can only wish we could add harmless to the list too. In fact, the excessive inhalation of this gas is, more often than not, fatal.
Our blood consists of red blood cells called haemoglobin. These concave shaped haemoglobin compounds form an unstable bond with oxygen molecules from the lungs and transport the oxygen to every single cell in our bodies. The bi-product, carbon dioxide which is released during cellular respiration, is then transported back to the lungs in the same way.
Now if carbon monoxide is inhaled, the CO molecules quickly combine with the haemoglobin, leaving no space for oxygen. Consequently, without the oxygen your body requires to survive and function correctly, you suffocate and die.

What does this have to do with electricity generators? Well, generators release carbon monoxide into the atmosphere (in addition to a lot of noise) as a bi-product when producing electricity, making purchasing a generator of your own a pretty risky business. That is why I strongly advise calling out a professional to scope out the lay of the land (or rather the lay of your property) in order to establish the safest and most effective placement of your generator. NEVER EVER EVER place an electricity generator indoors!!!!... Unless you wish never to wake up again after you mysteriously fall asleep.

Don’t let me scare you off though.  With the necessary precautions and proper planning, you can only reap the rewards. So even though they’re loud, expensive and carry big risks, hey, it’s about getting what you want, right? And generators give you just that: Electricity.