Portable generator safety: where to put it and how not to die
Run a portable generator outside only, more than 20 feet from any window, door or vent, says the CDC. Never run one in a house or garage, even with the doors open, and have a battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm working inside.
Why this matters
Generator exhaust is full of carbon monoxide. You cannot see it, smell it or hear it. The CDC says people who are asleep or drunk can die from it before they ever feel sick. A family goes to bed with the lights finally back on, the generator humming in the garage, and nobody wakes up. The CDC counts more than 400 Americans dead from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires every year.
Where to put it
- Outside, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents (CDC).
- Never in a garage, basement, crawl space or shed, even with ventilation or open doors (Washington State Dept. of Health).
- Point the exhaust away from your house and your neighbor's.
- Keep it dry. Run it on a dry surface under an open canopy, never in the rain, and dry your hands before you touch it.
How to plug things in
- Plug appliances straight into the generator, or use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cord rated for the total load.
- Never plug the generator into a wall outlet. This "back feeds" power into the lines and can electrocute utility workers or your neighbors (Washington State Dept. of Health).
- The only safe way to power your home's wiring is a transfer switch fitted by a qualified electrician.
- Do not overload it. Add up the wattage of everything you plug in, including the surge when a fridge starts.
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
The CDC lists headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. It often feels like flu. If anyone feels this way, or the alarm goes off, get everyone outside into fresh air and call 911.
Refueling
- Turn it off and let it cool before you add fuel.
- Store fuel in an approved container, outside living areas.
- Use the fuel type the generator's label says.
From the Washington State Department of Health.
Common mistakes
- Running it in the garage with the door open. Open doors do not make it safe.
- Putting it right under a bedroom window to keep the cord short.
- Plugging it into a wall socket with a double-ended cord.
- Having no battery carbon monoxide alarm, or one with a dead battery.
- Refueling it while it is still hot.
Gear for this
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Battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm
The CDC says to use a battery-powered or battery backup alarm when you run a generator. Put one near every sleeping area.
Heavy-duty outdoor extension cord, 25 ft or longer
Long enough to keep the generator past 20 feet. Check it is rated for your load.
Generator with automatic CO shutoff
Look for a model that turns its engine off automatically if carbon monoxide builds up.
Approved fuel cans
For storing gasoline safely outside the house.
Questions people ask
How far should a generator be from the house?
More than 20 feet from any window, door or vent, according to the CDC.
Can I run a generator in my garage with the door open?
No. The CDC says never run one in a home or garage, even with the doors and windows open.
Can I plug a generator into a wall outlet?
No. It back feeds power into the lines and can kill utility workers. Use a transfer switch fitted by an electrician.
Sources
- CDC: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics
- Washington State Department of Health: Generator Use During a Power Outage
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General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.