When stormy weather blows through, sometimes the power goes with it. Portable electric generators offer great benefits when outages affect your home, but they can also be dangerous, posing serious safety hazards to you and others. Here are some generator safety tips to keep you and your family safe.
The primary hazards to avoid when using generators are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the engine’s exhaust, electric shock, and fire.
Every year, people die in incidents related to improper use of portable generators. Most of the incidents involve CO poisoning from generators being used indoors or in partially enclosed spaces.
TIP: This deadly gas is invisible and odorless, so you can’t depend on your senses for protection. When buying a generator, remember to also buy a battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm to alert you if carbon monoxide levels are dangerous.
The second most common source of deaths results from electric shock due to backfeed. Backfeed occurs when generators are plugged in or connected to a home’s internal wiring.
Unless certain precautions are taken (see electric shock), generators connected to a home’s internal wiring will also energize the utility’s distribution wires throughout the neighborhood, presenting a potential electrocution hazard to utility workers and other electric customers.
CAUTION: An improperly connected generator can expose utility work crews and emergency response personnel to high voltage backfeed causing serious injury and death.
DO NOT connect your generator directly to your home’s wiring or plug a generator into household outlets. Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you, utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.
If you must connect the generator to the house wiring to power appliances, the only safe way is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch in accordance with local electrical codes.
Use only UL-listed, three-wire extension cords with generators. Be sure the extension cord is adequate to handle the electrical load. Plug the appliance into the extension cord first then plug the extension cord into the generator's outlet.
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Make sure your hands are dry and that you are standing in a dry place whenever you operate your generator. Do not use a portable generator in a flooded area.
To prevent electrical shock, make sure your generator is properly grounded. Consult your manufacturer’s manual for correct grounding procedures.
Turn off all appliances and equipment powered by the generator before shutting down your generator.
TIP: You don't need to run everything at the same time. Rotating larger items allows the use of a smaller generator, which is less expensive to buy and operate and easier to move.
DO NOT store fuel indoors or try to refuel a portable generator while it’s running. Gasoline should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers. Never store them near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage. If the fuel is spilled or the container is not sealed properly, vapors from the fuel can travel along the ground and can be ignited by the appliance’s pilot light or electric arcs caused by turning on the lights. Avoid spilling fuel on hot components. Put out all flames or cigarettes when handling gasoline. Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near the generator. Never attempt to refuel a portable generator while it’s still running. Before refueling a portable generator, turn it off and let it cool down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. Use the type of fuel recommended in the instructions or on the label on the generator.
DO NOT overload a generator. Never operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of a portable generator. Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics. Prioritize your needs. A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment.
Use the proper power cords. Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage. Never use damaged extension cords.
TIP: If an appliance has a three-prong plug, always use a three-prong extension cord.
NEVER use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Just like your car, a portable generator emits deadly carbon monoxide (CO). Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO build-up in the home. Be sure to place a portable generator outdoors, well away from open windows where exhaust fumes will not enter the house. Be sure the area is a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain (preferably under a canopy).
Install battery-operated CO alarms in your home, according to the manufacturer's installation instructions. Test your CO alarms frequently and replace dead batteries.
Keep children away from portable electric generators at all times. Carefully read and adhere to all instructions in your portable electric generator’s owner manual.
NEVER leave a running generator unattended. Turn it off at night and when away from home.
Avoid getting burned. Many generator parts are hot enough to burn you during operation.
Be a good neighbor. If the power is out, your neighbors are probably sleeping with their windows open. Be conscientious of the noise and the carbon monoxide.
Get the most from your generator. Save gas by using appliances only as needed. If no appliances are running, shut the generator off.