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Winter worries fuel brisk generator sales in Oklahoma
Despite today’s scary winter forecast, Steve Wilburn of Ada is breathing easy. He has a 20-kilowatt built-in generator installed at his home, which kicks in if he loses power.
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Generator safety
Retailers urge generator buyers to read instruction manuals front to back. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, units must remain outdoors. Do not plug units directly into the meter. That can be deadly for utility electricians who may believe the line is dead.
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"Though farmers and others around here hate to hear me say it, I just love the snow,” he said.
While Wilburn settles in to enjoy a possible winter storm, other Oklahoma consumers are scrambling to find portable generators, which have all but disappeared from retailers’ shelves in the Oklahoma City metro area.
By midmorning Wednesday, Lowe’s on Second Street in Edmond was sold out. Several stores had few left, while others are awaiting emergency shipments.
"We had four this morning, but we sold them all between 8 and 11,” said Vickie Atwood, administrative manager of the Ace Hardware at 2119 NW 23.
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