Generators save lives during power outages — but improperly used generators also end them. Carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators kills approximately 70 people in the United States every year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Dozens more are injured by fires, electrocution, and burns.

Every one of these tragedies is preventable. Follow these generator safety rules and you will eliminate the risks that claim lives every storm season.

Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Killer

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by any combustion engine. It is indistinguishable from clean air by human senses — you cannot smell it, taste it, or see it. At high concentrations, it causes incapacitation and death within minutes.

The Rules That Save Lives

  • Never run a generator inside your home, basement, or garage — even with windows or doors open. CO can reach lethal concentrations within minutes in enclosed spaces. The garage door open is not sufficient ventilation.
  • Place the generator at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. CO enters homes through any opening. Twenty feet of distance and careful positioning — never with exhaust pointing toward the house — provides meaningful protection.
  • Install battery-operated CO detectors inside your home before storm season. Detectors on every level of the home, especially near sleeping areas, are your last line of defense. Replace batteries annually.
  • If the CO detector sounds, leave immediately. Get everyone out of the home and call 911 from outside. Do not go back in to shut off the generator.

Electrical Safety

Never Use Extension Cord Shortcuts

Running extension cords from a generator directly to appliances is acceptable for limited, outdoor use. But never connect a generator to your home wiring via extension cords plugged into wall outlets — this bypasses safety systems and creates electrocution and fire risks.

Use a Transfer Switch

For powering home circuits, always use a transfer switch or generator interlock kit installed by a licensed electrician. This prevents back-feeding of power onto utility lines — which can be fatal to utility workers restoring power.

Keep the Generator Dry

Water and electricity are a lethal combination. Never operate a generator in rain or snow without proper protection. Use a commercial generator tent or canopy designed for this purpose — do not improvise with tarps that could trap exhaust. Keep the generator elevated off wet ground and ensure the exhaust can exit freely.

Use the Right Extension Cords

If running extension cords to specific appliances, use heavy-duty outdoor-rated cords with the appropriate amperage rating for the load. Undersized extension cords overheat and cause fires. For high-draw appliances, use 12-gauge cords rated for the wattage being drawn.

Fire Safety

Fuel Storage and Handling

  • Store gasoline only in approved containers designed for fuel storage
  • Keep fuel away from the generator while it is running or hot — fuel vapors ignite easily
  • Never refuel a running generator — let it cool for at least 15 minutes before refueling
  • Store fuel away from the home in a shed or detached garage
  • Use a fuel stabilizer if fuel will be stored for more than 30 days

Children and Generator Safety

  • Keep children away from operating generators at all times
  • Generator exhaust and engine surfaces reach temperatures that cause severe burns instantly
  • Educate older children about CO danger and what to do if they feel dizzy or nauseous near the generator

Know the Symptoms of CO Poisoning

Early CO poisoning symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. If anyone in the household experiences these symptoms during generator use, treat it as a CO emergency: get everyone outside immediately and call 911.

CO poisoning impairs judgment — people often feel too confused or weak to evacuate. Make sure everyone in your household knows the plan before an emergency occurs.

Pre-Storm Generator Safety Checklist

  • Test CO detectors — replace batteries if needed
  • Confirm generator placement is at least 20 feet from the house
  • Check transfer switch or interlock is functioning
  • Confirm fuel supply and containers are safe and accessible
  • Review emergency plan with household members
  • Confirm CO detector alert plan — everyone knows to exit immediately