10 Tips for Safer Winter Generator Use

If your electricity goes out because of snow and ice, a generator turns power on for your home or business. In my extensive experience working with homeowners, generators have consistently proven practical and potentially lifesaving during power outages.

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, an international trade association representing small-engine, utility vehicle, and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and suppliers, reminds home and business owners to consider safety when using generators.

“Not having power when you need it is frustrating, so a generator can provide emergency backup power at a reasonable cost,” OPEI President and CEO Kris Kiser says. “It’s important to follow all manufacturer’s instructions, and never place a generator in your garage or inside your home or building. It should be a safe distance from the structure and not near an air intake.”

Take Stock of Your Generator

Take stock of your generator before you use it. Go through a checklist:

• Ensure it is in working order.
• Check that all parts are intact and functioning properly.
• Confirm sufficient oil and fuel levels.
• Inspect belts, hoses, and connections for wear or damage.
• Make any needed repairs or part replacements.

Performing these inspections and maintenance before an emergency occurs gives you time to address any issues rather than being caught off guard by problems when you urgently need power.

Review the Manual

Read the owner's manual to understand how to safely operate and maintain your generator model. Manuals often contain important information that may not be intuitive.

If you've lost your manual, check the manufacturer's website. Most companies post PDF copies of manuals. Download a copy for convenient access.

Digesting your generator's manual helps you avoid mistakes and gives you best-use practices tailored to your unit. Don't assume you'll automatically know what to do. Used incorrectly, generators can kill through carbon monoxide poisoning.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that can grow deadly fast. To protect your home's indoor air quality when running a generator, install a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector. Place the detector near bedrooms and on each level of your home. Test detectors monthly and replace batteries annually.

If the alarm sounds, immediately move outdoors and call emergency services. Do not re-enter until the fire department confirms safe carbon monoxide levels.

Use Proper Fuel

Gasoline and diesel generators require careful fueling for optimal performance and safety.

Use the type of fuel specified by your generator's manufacturer — usually gasoline for smaller portable units and diesel for larger standby systems. Using the wrong fuel damages the generator engine.

Never use fuel with more than 10% ethanol content. This percentage exceeds most engine manufacturer recommendations and may damage the engine.

When possible, use fresh fuel and gas that is less than 30 days old. If using older gasoline, add a fuel stabilizer to help counteract degradation. Never use fuel that appears cloudy or separated.

Finally, always store fuel in an approved OSHA container, away from any sources of heat or sparks. Add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank before storing your generator for the season.

Ensure Adequate Ventilation

Because generators release carbon monoxide when they run, placing a generator inside an enclosed or partially enclosed space can cause a high concentration of carbon monoxide gas.

Instead, put your generator outdoors in an open area, far away from windows, doors, vents, and air intakes. Point the exhaust away from your home.

Never run a generator in a garage, carport, basement, crawlspace, shed, or apartment balcony, even with open doors and windows. These areas generally lack adequate airflow to disperse exhaust.

Keep Your Generator Dry

Always keep rain and snow away from your generator. Exposure to rain or snow while running could short-circuit a generator, causing shock or electrocution risks.

Also, place portable generators on a flat, stable surface covered by a canopy or shelter. For larger units, consider a generator cover to shield from the elements.

Beware of puddles, deep snow, and wet grass that could splash water into the generator. Always operate on a dry surface.

Never handle a wet generator without disconnecting it from any power cords and allowing it to dry.

Refuel Generators Only When Cool

Gasoline and diesel vapors igniting on contact with hot engine components cause many generator fires. Allow the unit to fully cool before opening the fuel cap.

Avoid spilling fuel on hot surfaces when refueling. Use a funnel or spout when needed.

Wipe up any spills immediately and allow excess fuel to fully evaporate before starting the engine. Throw away fuel-soaked rags.

Use Proper Wiring

Follow electrical load guidelines to avoid overheating wiring or circuits. Prioritize essential loads.

For temporary connections, plug appliances directly into the generator rather than using extension cords when possible. Minimize daisy chaining.

Finally, never overload a generator's capacity.

Install a Transfer Switch

A transfer switch is an electrical device that connects a generator to your home's main circuit panel. It safely integrates the generator with your home’s existing electrical system. When your home’s power grid shuts down, the transfer switch triggers the generator to start. It minimizes a loss of electricity.

Transfer switches:

• Prevent backfeeding electricity back into utility lines, protecting workers.
• Allow you to power hardwired systems like furnaces, well pumps, and major appliances.
• Avoid overloads by displaying real-time wattage usage.
• Let you isolate circuits, allowing strategic use of limited generator wattage.

Although expensive, a transfer switch is the safest way to integrate a generator with your home's wiring.

Never Backfeed Power

Do not connect your generator directly to household wall outlets or circuits without a transfer switch. Doing so "backfeeds" power to the utility lines, posing a lethal risk to line workers. Backfeeding also bypasses your home's circuit breakers, creating a fire hazard. Power fluctuations also may damage devices (televisions, laptops, stereos, cell phones etc.) that you plugged in.

Only use your generator's electrical outlets, not your home's receptacles, without a transfer switch properly installed by an electrician.

So, Is a Generator Worthwhile for Your Home?

For many homeowners, investing in a high-quality generator provides peace of mind and greater safety when storms and emergencies knock out utility power. Although not inexpensive, generators often pay for themselves after one extended outage.

Consider what systems you want to power during an outage: Furnaces, refrigerators, phone chargers, and medical devices take priority. Size your generator and have it professionally installed and maintained.

With the right generator and safe use, you can power through outages in comfort and with little risk. However, skipping key safety steps puts your home, family, and utility workers at risk. Following best practices reduces hazards.

Learn More About Emergency Preparedness