Generator safety: the rules that prevent deaths

Run a portable generator only outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents, and have a battery carbon monoxide alarm working inside. Carbon monoxide has no smell or color, and it can kill in minutes.

Where to put it

• Never in the house, basement, garage, shed or carport, even with the doors open. Open doors and fans don't clear carbon monoxide fast enough.
• Outdoors, on a dry surface, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust pointed away from your home and your neighbors'.
• Use a cover rated for running generators in rain or snow. Never run one somewhere enclosed to keep it dry.

Connecting it

• Plug appliances in with heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords long enough to reach 20 feet.
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. "Backfeeding" can kill utility workers and neighbors. To power house circuits, have a licensed electrician install a transfer switch or interlock.

Fuel

• Turn the generator off and let it cool before refueling.
• Store fuel in approved containers, outside living areas and away from heat sources.

Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning

Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion or sleepiness, often in several people at once. If you notice them or the alarm sounds, get everyone into fresh air right away and call 911.