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How to Use a Portable Generator Safely During a Power Outage

Place a portable generator outdoors at least 20 feet from the home, direct exhaust away, use rated grounded cords, and never connect it to household wiring without a transfer switch installed by a qualified electrician.
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Run a portable generator outdoors at least 20 feet from your home and from doors, windows, and vents, with its exhaust pointed away from buildings. Never run it indoors or in an enclosed space, even with doors or windows open. Use a battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide alarm indoors, and connect appliances with properly rated cords. To power household wiring, have a qualified electrician install a transfer switch.

Before the outage: plan the location and connections

Make a few decisions before the power goes out, when you can read the manual and check your equipment without rushing.

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  • Read the generator’s owner’s manual and safety labels. Model-specific instructions govern starting, shutdown, weather exposure, fuel, load, and maintenance.
  • Choose an outdoor operating spot at least 20 feet from the home and away from doors, windows, vents, and other openings. Plan to point the exhaust away from people and buildings.
  • Identify the appliances you intend to run. Check the generator’s rated output and make sure the total load will not exceed its capacity.
  • Use intact, grounded extension cords rated for the wattage or amperage they will carry.
  • Install and test battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide alarms in the home, following the alarm manufacturer’s instructions.
  • If you want to power circuits through household wiring, arrange for a qualified electrician to install a transfer switch. Do not improvise a connection to the electrical panel.

During the outage: operate it outdoors

  1. Place the generator outside. Keep it at least 20 feet from the home and openings, and direct exhaust away from buildings. Never run it in a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed, or any other enclosed area—even if doors or windows are open. Follow this placement guidance even if the generator has an automatic carbon monoxide shutoff feature.
  2. Check the surroundings. Wind or nearby structures can carry exhaust toward people or an opening. Reassess the location if conditions change; move the generator farther away or to a safer outdoor position if fumes may reach people or the home.
  3. Keep it dry as the manual directs. Wet conditions can create an electric-shock hazard. Follow the manufacturer’s weather instructions; some models may require an appropriate noncombustible generator tent or waiting for rain or snow to pass. A generic cover does not make operation safe, and do not use a cover or shelter the manufacturer does not allow.
  4. Connect appliances safely. Use intact, grounded cords rated for the intended load, and avoid overloading the generator. Connect appliances directly with suitable cords unless a qualified electrician has installed a transfer switch for household wiring.
  5. Shut down before refueling. Follow the manual for fuel type, refueling, start-up, and shutdown. Store fuel outdoors and away from living areas.
  6. Maintain it as specified. Follow the owner’s manual for maintenance and any limits on operation.

Connecting a generator to household wiring

A portable generator can power appliances connected directly with manufacturer-supplied cords or suitable grounded extension cords. Connecting it to a home’s wiring is different: the generator must not be attached directly to the electrical system without a properly installed transfer switch.

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An improper connection can send electricity back into wiring beyond the home and electrocute utility workers or other people. Have a qualified electrician install the transfer switch. Do not connect a generator to a wall outlet or attempt a do-it-yourself panel connection.

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Carbon monoxide: recognize the danger and act

Carbon monoxide (CO) is colorless and odorless, so you cannot use smell—or the absence of symptoms in someone else—to determine whether an area is safe. A CO alarm indoors is an added safeguard, not permission to run a generator closer to the home or inside it. An automatic CO shutoff feature on a generator also does not replace safe placement or an indoor alarm.

The CDC lists headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion among possible symptoms of CO poisoning. If you suspect exposure, get everyone to fresh air and call 911, contact Poison Control in the U.S. at 1-800-222-1222, or seek medical care. The CDC’s August 26, 2026, outage guidance warns about generator-related CO poisoning; its separate 2026 public-service announcement says CO from generators, grills, and other fuel-burning devices kills more than 500 Americans annually, without identifying an underlying data year.

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Choosing and preparing equipment

Safety depends on both the equipment and where and how you operate it. When comparing portable generators, consider whether the rated output meets the loads you plan to run, whether the model has an automatic CO shutoff feature, and whether you can place it outdoors at the required distance. No feature makes indoor operation safe. Check the instructions for the specific model before use.

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For current U.S. guidance, see the CDC guidance on generators and carbon monoxide, the CPSC portable-generator safety guidance, and OSHA’s portable-generator safety publication. Instructions differ by model, so follow your owner’s manual and consult a qualified electrician about household wiring.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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