Powering up a generator after a storm can be a lifeline, allowing people to run a few lights or even a refrigerator to preserve food, but experts urge people to take caution.
Running a generator inside or too close to a home can lead to death or injury from carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as burn injuries resulting from contact with a hot generator.
Children are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning than adults, because they absorb more of the gas into their bloodstream and they tend to breathe at a faster rate and have a higher metabolism.
If you’re using a generator to keep the lights on during a cleanup effort, “use a working, battery-operated carbon monoxide detector at the same time,” says Ken Boyce, senior director, principal engineering at UL Solutions.
“A carbon monoxide alarm provides one more layer of defense against making an innocent but potentially deadly mistake,” Boyce says.
People are also reading…
Experts recommend placing generators at least 20 feet from the house.
How to use a generator safely
According to Consumer Reports, here are tips homeowners should keep in mind when running a generator:
Never run a generator in an enclosed space or indoors. Always place the generator at least 20 feet from the house with the engine exhaust directed away from windows and doors.
Don’t run a portable generator in the rain. You can buy tents for generators that keep them shielded but still well ventilated either online, at home centers and hardware stores.
Before refueling, turn off a gas-powered generator and let it cool. Gasoline spilled on a hot engine can ignite. Allowing the engine to cool also reduces the risk of burns while refueling.
Stock up on extra gasoline and store it properly. When you think you’ll need to use the generator for an extended time, you’ll want extra fuel on hand.
Buy a generator with built-in CO safety technology. Many new generators have a device that detects dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and turns off the machine when levels climb too high. A generator with a safety shutoff still isn’t safe for use close to or inside a home because the sensor is part of the generator itself and can only react to what it senses nearby, says Paolo Fu, the engineer who leads generator testing for Consumer Reports. “If the generator is spewing exhaust to another part of your home, CO levels there may rise to dangerous levels before the sensor registers much of anything,” he says.
Install a transfer switch before the next storm. This critical connection will cost $300 to $900, including labor, for a 5,000-watt generator or larger. A transfer switch connects the generator to your circuit panel and lets you power hardwired appliances and avoid the safety risk of using extension cords for those with plugs. Most transfer switches also help you avoid overload by displaying wattage usage levels.
Avoid electrical hazards. If you don’t yet have a transfer switch, you can use the outlets on the generator, provided you follow certain precautions. If you can, plug appliances directly into the generator. If you must use an extension cord, it should be a heavy-duty one for outdoor use, rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the electrical load from each of the connected appliances. Check that the entire cord is free of cuts and that the plug has all three prongs, which is critical to protect against a shock if water has collected inside the equipment.
Don’t attempt to backfeed your house. Backfeeding means trying to power your home’s wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. It presents an electrocution risk to you as well as utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some built-in household circuit protection devices, so you could end up frying some of your electronics or starting an electrical fire.
