If you have a cabin in a remote area that is prone to storms, you likely have a generator to power everything in the cabin or as backup in case the electricity goes out. However, in the seasons when you don't use your cabin, you need to make sure that you are storing your generator carefully. Here are five things that can help:

1. Eyebolt and chain

Generators are expensive items, and even in a remote area, you need to safeguard against theft. To ensure nobody backs up their ute, pops your generator inside and absconds with it, you need to lock it to the ground.

Dig a hole, and pour a bit of concrete in it. Position an eyebolt in the center of the concrete, and when the concrete sets, the eyebolt will be firmly in place. Take a chain, loop it through your generator and the eyebolt, and lock it all together.

2. Tarp

In addition to protecting your generator from thieves, you should protect it from the elements. To that end, invest in a heavy duty tarp, and secure it over the generator. Make sure to leave some room at the bottom to act as ventilation, which safeguards against rust-causing condensation.

3. Fuel stabilizer

Keep in mind that petrol has a shelf life, and if you don't want it to go bad in your generator, you should add some fuel stabiliser to it. You can buy this at most hardware stores -- they sell it for lawn mowers and other petrol-powered items as well.

4. Cleaning kit

Ideally, you should clean your generator before putting it in storage. This ensures that no dust or dirt gets stuck in the motor of the generator, causing it to malfunction when you start using it again. To clean it, remove old leaves and visible debris. Then, use a wet cloth to wipe down its exterior. If there is any oil on it, remove it with a bit of gentle dish soap and water. Finally, dry it.

5. Electrical checkup

In addition to cleaning your generator, consider getting an electrical checkup for it before you put it in storage. Talk with an electrician to ensure that your generator is strong enough to support all of the wiring in your cabin, and have them look it over for any issues or concerns. That way, when you return to the cabin to use the generator, you know that everything is safe and ready to go. This is an especially important step to take if you have added extra appliances to your cabin or done anything else to alter the amount of power you use.

For more information and tips, contact experienced electricians in your area.