Generator Safety During Power Outages

A Lifeline That Demands Respect

When a major storm knocks out power for hours or days, a generator can keep a household running: the refrigerator cold, the sump pump working, the heat on, phones charged. It is genuinely valuable equipment. But at Advanced DRI, we also know that generators, used incorrectly, are responsible for serious injuries, fires, and deaths every storm season.

Generator safety is not complicated, but it is absolutely essential. The rules below are not suggestions. They are the difference between a generator that protects your family and one that endangers it.

The Most Important Rule: Never Run a Generator Indoors

This single rule prevents the most common and most deadly generator accident. A portable generator produces carbon monoxide, an invisible, odorless gas that is poisonous and can kill quickly. Carbon monoxide gives no warning. People can be overcome before they realize anything is wrong.

Therefore:

• Never run a generator inside a home, basement, or any enclosed space.
• Never run a generator in a garage, even with the door open. An open garage does not provide enough ventilation.
• Never run a generator on a porch, in a carport, or near any opening into the home.

A generator belongs outdoors, well away from the house, and far from windows, doors, and vents through which exhaust could drift inside. The exhaust should be pointed away from the home and from any neighboring homes.

Protect Against Carbon Monoxide

Because carbon monoxide is undetectable by human senses, install battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide alarms inside the home, particularly near sleeping areas. Test them and keep fresh batteries on hand. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, or if anyone feels dizzy, weak, nauseated, or develops a headache, get everyone outside into fresh air immediately and call for help.

Avoid Electrical Hazards

Generators carry electrical risks alongside the carbon monoxide risk.

Keep the Generator Dry

Operating a generator in wet conditions, or with wet hands, creates a serious shock hazard. Place the generator on a dry surface under an open, protective cover that keeps rain off without enclosing it. Never operate a generator in standing water.

Use the Right Cords

Plug appliances into the generator using heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use and for the load. Inspect cords for cuts, fraying, or damage before use, and do not overload them.

Never Backfeed Your Home's Wiring

Plugging a generator into a wall outlet to power the house, sometimes called backfeeding, is extremely dangerous. It can electrocute utility workers, endanger neighbors, and damage your home when power returns. If you want a generator to power your home's circuits, a qualified electrician must install a proper transfer switch. Without one, only plug appliances directly into the generator.

Fuel Safety

Generator fuel is flammable and requires care.

• Turn the generator off and let it cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.
• Store fuel in approved containers, away from the home and away from any ignition source.
• Do not store fuel near the running generator.
• Keep only the amount of fuel you reasonably need, stored safely.

Operate the Generator Correctly

• Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific generator.
• Do not overload it. Add up the wattage of what you plan to run and stay within the generator's rated capacity.
• Start the generator before plugging in appliances, and turn off the load before shutting it down, following your manual.
• Keep the generator away from foot traffic and out of reach of children.
• Maintain it according to the manufacturer's schedule so it runs reliably when needed.

Plan Before the Storm

The worst time to learn how to use a generator is in the dark during an emergency. Before storm season, test your generator, confirm it runs, check that you have appropriate cords, and make sure every adult in the home understands the safety rules. Decide in advance what you most need to power, such as the refrigerator and the sump pump, so you are not improvising during an outage.

When the Storm Causes Damage Anyway

A generator helps you weather an outage, but storms still cause property damage: water intrusion, wind damage, and flooding that a generator cannot prevent. If a storm has damaged your home, our storm damage restoration team is ready to help with cleanup and restoration. Contact Advanced DRI for a prompt response, and learn more about our work on our about page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a generator in my garage if the door is open?

No. An open garage does not provide enough ventilation to safely disperse carbon monoxide. A generator must always run outdoors, well away from the home, with the exhaust directed away from windows, doors, and vents.

What is backfeeding, and why is it dangerous?

Backfeeding is plugging a generator into a wall outlet to power a home's wiring. It is extremely dangerous: it can electrocute utility workers, endanger neighbors, and damage your home. To power home circuits safely, a qualified electrician must install a proper transfer switch.

Why do I need a carbon monoxide alarm if I keep the generator outside?

Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, and exhaust can drift indoors through windows, doors, and vents even from an outdoor generator. Battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms inside the home, especially near sleeping areas, provide an essential warning.