Portable Generator Safety Tips
Last edited
Author
Andrew Blok
Electrification and Solar Writer and Editor
Winter Storm Fern may be done dumping snow and ice on much of the United States, but the effects will linger for days or longer.
Widespread power outages — more than a million people lost power, according to news reports — coupled with severe cold, can be a dangerous combination. Backup power from a generator (or backup battery) can provide electricity to warm a home, charge a phone, or power a medical device. However, using a backup generator without following safety best practices can be dangerous or even deadly.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
The danger of portable generators
A power outage can be dangerous for a variety of reasons. Without power, you may not be able to heat your home, prevent food waste, or charge your phone to get important emergency communications.
An appropriately sized portable generator can help provide power for these emergency needs. But if it’s operated unsafely, it can introduce dangers of its own. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists four potential hazards.
Shock hazards
Beyond the normal risks of shocks from everyday electricity use, portable generators have a few additional considerations. Unsafely operating a generator during a storm can increase the risk of mixing electricity and water from precipitation — a dangerous combination. Frayed cords and improper grounding can also be dangerous.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Because backup generators burn fossil fuels, they can produce undesirable fumes. These can be obnoxious and smelly exhaust, or odorless and potentially deadly carbon monoxide. Fumes accumulating indoors can kill. Rutgers University said carbon monoxide poisoning sickens or kills hundreds of people each year, just in New Jersey. It cites portable generators, but also space heaters, stoves, and other fossil fuel-burning appliances as common causes.
Fire danger
Generators get hot during use. Spilling fuel onto a hot generator while refueling could cause a fire. So can improperly storing fuels.
Nuisance noise
While it’s maybe not dangerous, portable generators can be noisy operators. That can add stress during an already stressful time.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
Generator safety tips
Here’s what the experts say about operating generators safely.
Read the manual
If there are special safety considerations for your portable generator, they should be listed in the manual. Follow the manufacturers instructions for safe operation.
Operate the generator away from your house
Run your generator in a well-ventilated area away from your home, especially windows, doors, and vents where carbon monoxide can get inside. Never operate a generator inside your home.
Use carbon monoxide detectors
Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors installed and that they’re in good working order. This is good practice at any time, not just when you’re using a generator.
Refuel safely
Turn off your generator before refueling. If it’s hot, let it cool. Gasoline, diesel, or kerosene can ignite if spilled onto a really hot generator.
Store fuel safely
Store fuel in safety cans, out of your home, and away from appliances that use fire, like a gas water heater. Follow local laws and limits on how much fuel you can store, and how.
Don’t use frayed cords
A frayed cord is an electric shock waiting to happen. Replace damaged cords and only use extension cords that can handle the generator’s output.
Keep your generator dry
Avoid using a generator in a wet area to avoid dangerous shocks.
Plug appliances in directly
In order to run a generator through your home’s electrical system, you need to install a transfer switch. Power appliances directly from the generator.
For more information, check out these additional resource.
Generators and backup batteries
Generators are a proven backup energy source, but they do come with hazards if used improperly. Home backup batteries are an alternative that can be safely and quietly operated within your home.
Batteries typically only power a few emergency loads, unless you install multiple units, which can become cost prohibitive. Portable batteries can be solutions for smaller needs.
Batteries, when paired with solar panels, can be charged essentially for free. In some markets, batteries can help unlock greater solar savings.
To see what a backup battery can do for you, get a quote today, or download the Palmetto App to learn more and earn a discount on battery storage.
See how much you can save with home energy changes
Frequently asked questions
Are generators safe?
Generators can help get you through a power outage, but they need to be operated safely. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, operate the generator away from your home, follow best practices for refueling and storing extra fuel, and avoid using the generator with frayed cords or in wet areas. Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Can a battery backup my home?
Battery systems are typically designed to backup the parts of a home most needed in an outage, often called critical loads. Lights, refrigerators, and HVAC systems are typical choices. The more batteries you install, the more you can backup.
Some batteries are installed as arbitrage, or consumption only, batteries. These don’t provide backup power at all but can help improve your solar savings and are cheaper to install.
Is solar and storage worth it?
Solar and storage can certainly be worth it. Solar panels, with or without storage, have been reducing electricity bills for decades, and continue to do so today. Battery storage has come down in price over the years and can backup critical devices in an outage. In some cases, they’re the key to unlocking solar savings.
