#nycfiredept

Thanks to the hardworking firefighters at the New York City Fire Department for providing these great safety tips for using portable generators.

Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage.  A portable generator is an internal combustion engine that creates carbon monoxide (CO).

Be sure to place the generator outdoors where exhaust fumes will not enter enclosed spaces. Only operate a generator in a well-ventilated area protected from rain.

Do not connect a generator directly to your home wiring. Doing so can cause a generator to backfeed into the power lines connected to your home and may injure or even kill utility workers making repairs.

Do not overload your generator.  Overloading the generator could cause fire to the power cord.

Do not store gasoline for the generator indoors.  Vapor from the gasoline can be ignited by a pilot light or other source of flame, such as an electric spark.  Extinguish all flames or cigarettes when handling gasoline.