Generator Safety and Maintenance

What is the biggest generator danger?

Engines produce carbon monoxide, a gas you cannot see or smell that can kill quickly. Never run a generator inside a house, garage, barn, shed, basement or any enclosed or partly enclosed space, and keep it far enough from windows, doors and vents that exhaust cannot drift in. Open doors or fans do not make indoor running safe.

Install working carbon monoxide alarms in living areas and test them. Public health agencies advise leaving the building and calling emergency services if an alarm sounds or if anyone feels dizzy, nauseated or has a headache while a generator runs.

If you are not sure whether a spot is far enough from the house, move the generator farther and use a longer rated cord. Wind can change direction, and exhaust can follow it into an open window or a vent.

How do I connect a generator to the house safely?

Plugging a generator into a wall outlet to power the house can send electricity back out through the lines, endangering utility workers and neighbors, and can damage the generator. This is called backfeed, and it is why a proper transfer switch exists.

A licensed electrician installs a transfer switch or an interlock that isolates the house from the utility. Ask your electrician and local permit office what is required where you live. Without one, run appliances directly on suitably rated cords.

• Never connect a generator through a wall outlet.
• Use a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.
• Keep cords rated for the load and in good condition.

Where should I place and how should I operate it?

Set the generator outdoors on a level, dry surface, protected from rain by a proper cover or shelter that does not trap exhaust, and away from anything that burns. Keep children and animals away from the hot engine and exhaust.

Do not refuel while the engine is running or hot. Let it cool, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Dry hands and a dry surface matter, because electricity and water do not mix.

How should I store fuel?

Store fuel in approved containers, in a ventilated place away from the house, pilot lights, heaters and other ignition sources. Do not store large amounts, and label containers clearly. Fuel breaks down over time, so ask the generator maker or a small engine shop how long stored fuel stays usable and whether a stabilizer is advised.

Check local fire rules for storage limits. Your local fire department can answer questions about safe fuel storage on a rural property.

What maintenance does a generator need?

Generators sit unused and then are expected to run for days. Follow the owner's manual for oil, air filter, spark plug and fuel system care, and run the unit on a schedule recommended by the maker, under a load that is safe for the machine. Keep a log with dates and notes.

Before storm or winter season, inspect cords, check oil, make sure you have the right fuel and test start it outdoors. Replace parts as the manual directs, or have a small engine shop service it.

Run the generator under a modest load from time to time as the manual directs, and keep spare filters, plugs and oil on hand so a small part does not leave you without power.

How do I size and plan the load?

List what must run: well pump, refrigeration, heat controls, lights, medical devices, livestock needs. Check each nameplate for its running and starting draw, since motors need more power to start. An electrician or dealer can help you size a unit.

Start critical loads one at a time instead of all at once. Overloading shortens the life of the generator and may damage equipment.

What should I do before a storm season?

Review your plan. Test the generator and your carbon monoxide alarms, check the fuel supply and age, inspect cords, and confirm where the generator will sit. Make sure the transfer switch works and that everyone knows the steps.

Check the list of what you will run and how long fuel will last. Ask your fuel supplier about safe amounts to store and how to rotate stock. Keep a printed copy of the manual and a log of past maintenance with the unit.

Share the plan with a neighbor, especially an older one who may need help, and agree on how you will check on each other. Fuel and power are easier to manage when you have thought them through before the wind picks up.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.