BSO Hurricane Guide

Generator safety tips:

When using a portable electric generator, remember these important safety precautions.

Never connect a portable electric generator directly to your home wiring. This could cause the generator to backfeed onto the powerlines connected to your home. A nearby utility transformer could increase this backfeed and cause damage directly to the transformer or to repair crews working on lines blocks away from your home.
Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet. Generators are not powerful enough to provide energy to an entire home. Connect only essential electrical equipment directly into the generator.
Do not overload the generator. Choose electrical equipment essential to remaining comfortable while the power company works to restore your power. When purchasing a portable generator, choose one that produces more power than will be drawn by the combination of lighting, appliances and equipment you plan to connect to it.
Use proper power cords to attach appliances to the generator. Use outdoor rated cords with a wire gage adequate for appliance overload.
To prevent electric shock, make sure the generator is properly grounded.
Never use a portable electric generator indoors or in an attached garage. Generators use an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide. Run the generator in a well-ventilated, dry area away from intakes into the home and protected from rain; an ideal spot would be under a canopy or in an open shed.
Install carbon monoxide alarms inside your home as a protection against the gas emitted from generators.
Store generator fuel outside of living areas in a properly labeled, non-glass safety container. Vapor from gasoline can travel undetected and be ignited by pilot lighters or sparks.
Never refuel a generator while it is running; wait until it has cooled down. Guard against burns; generator engines are hot.
Before shutting a generator down, turn off all appliances that are connected to it.