Paul Dreher Director of Personal Insurance View Bio

Panel portable electric generator

In cold and snowy areas, many households have backup generators in case the power goes out in a blizzard. While having a backup supply of energy can be very important, it is also helpful to be aware of the risks that backup generators pose. By educating yourself on the risks and rewards of generators, you can keep your family safe and warm this winter. Here are 10 easy tips to remember about backup generators during an emergency and all year long put together by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety:

1. Use Proper Care

Proper ventilation is critical to reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator’s engine exhaust. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common, serious danger that can cause death if generators are used improperly; this is particularly true when the fuel is not burned completely.

2. Placement is Key

Never use generators indoors or outside near windows, vents, or air intakes that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

3. Keep Other Items Clear

Maintain plenty of air flow space around the generator.

4. Pay Attention

Get fresh air immediately if you begin to feel sick, dizzy or light-headed or experience flu-like symptoms while the generator is running.

5. Buy a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Because carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, it makes sense to buy a CO detector (similar to or sometimes combined in a smoke detector) to warn of rising CO levels.

6. Ground Your Generator

Carefully follow all instructions on properly “grounding” the generator.

7. Keep the Generator Dry

Short circuits may occur in wet conditions, which can cause a generator fire. If needed, place the generator under an open canopy-type structure.

8. Be Prepared

Always keep a fully charged fire extinguisher nearby.

9. Leave it to the Professionals

To avoid electric shock or electrocution, do not try to fix or otherwise work on a generator.

10. Do Not “Back Feed” Power

Do not plug the generator into a wall outlet. Back feeding will put you and others, including utility line workers, at serious risk because the utility transformer can increase low voltage from the generator to thousands of volts.