Portable Generator Safety

Protect Your Home & Family

Portable generators are essential for temporary power during outages, but they pose serious risks if used improperly. The three primary hazards are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electric shock/electrocution, and fire.

Follow the simple rules on this page to ensure safe operation.

General Rules

Never connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only two safe ways to connect a standby generator to your equipment.

Stationary Generator: An approved generator transfer switch, which keeps your house circuits separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional.

Portable Generator: Plug appliances directly into the outlet provided on the generator.

Set up and run your generator in a well-ventilated area outside the home. Make sure it’s out and away from your garage, doors, windows and vents. The carbon monoxide generated is deadly.

Use a heavy-duty extension cord to connect electric appliances to the outlet on the generator.

Start the generator first before connecting appliances.

Source: SafeElectricity.org

Carbon Monoxide (CO): The Invisible Killer

Generator exhaust contains high levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that is deadly.

RULE	ACTION
Location	ALWAYS use generators outdoors, far away from windows, doors, and vents.
Clearance	Place the generator in an area where the exhaust is directed away from all occupied buildings.
Never Inside	NEVER use generators in a home, garage, basement, crawl space, or any other enclosed or partially enclosed area, even with ventilation.
Alarms	Install battery-operated or plug-in CO alarms (with battery backup) in your home. Test them often and replace batteries as needed.
Instructions	Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety warnings.

Electrical Hazards: Preventing Backfeed & Shock

Improper connections can send electricity back into the utility lines, a condition called "backfeed," which is lethal to utility workers and dangerous to neighbors.

RULE	ACTION
Backfeed Danger	NEVER plug a generator directly into a wall outlet (This is known as backfeeding). Backfeeding bypasses safety features and can energize nearby power lines, risking the lives of Wheatland Electric linemen working to restore power.
Dry Operation	Keep the generator dry. Operate it on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure (like an awning), but never indoors.
Wiring	If you need to connect the generator to your house wiring to power appliances directly, you MUST have a qualified electrician install a transfer switch. A transfer switch safely isolates your house wiring from the co-op's power lines.
Cords	Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords. Inspect cords for cuts or tears, and ensure all three prongs (including the grounding pin) are intact.
Handling	Always ensure your hands are dry before touching the generator.

Fire Hazards: Fueling and Storage

RULE	ACTION
Refueling	Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool completely. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can easily ignite.
Fuel Storage	Store fuel outside of all living areas in properly labeled, non-glass containers.
Distance	Store fuel away from the generator and all fuel-burning appliances (like water heaters or furnaces).
Capacity	Never overfill the fuel tank.

Information provided in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

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