Generator Safety After a Hurricane: 3 Essential Tips to Protect Your Home and Family
Quick answer: Where you run your generator matters. Inside, even in the garage is not good. Place your generator at least 20 feet, outside of your residence, exhaust pointed away from doors, windows and vents. No exceptions. Never run it in a covered lanai or porch, or in a carport, with the doors open. Never plug it into a wall outlet. Turn it off and let it cool before refueling, and keep a working battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm inside the home.
We first published this guide in October 2024, the week Hurricane Milton crossed Central Florida, and we've updated it for every season since. When a storm knocks out power for days, a generator keeps the refrigerator, fans, and phones running. Used the wrong way, it can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, or a fire, and those injuries often happen after the storm has passed.
These three rules matter most, followed by smaller habits that keep the whole household safe.
Where to run a generator, and where not to
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says to run portable generators outside only, at least 20 feet from the house, and to point the exhaust away from the home and any building someone could enter. Florida homes have a few spots that feel like “outside” but aren't.
1. Keep it outside, 20 feet away, exhaust pointed away
Carbon monoxide (CO) is colorless and odorless, and a single portable generator puts out a lot of it. The CDC reports that more than 400 people in the U.S. die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, and cases climb after hurricanes, when generators run for days. The CPSC warns that people can lose consciousness before they notice any symptoms.
Set the generator on level, open ground at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust facing away from doors, windows, soffit vents, dryer vents, and your neighbor's home. Close any windows in the exhaust path. If you're in the market for a generator, don't skip the label: Read it. Ensure it has an automatic CO shut-off detector. CO builds up and sneaks up.
2. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet
Plugging a generator into a household outlet, sometimes called backfeeding, sends power back through your home's wiring and out onto the utility lines. That can electrocute line workers restoring power and anyone in the home, and it can start a fire. If you want the generator to run household circuits, have a licensed electrician install a transfer switch or interlock.
Otherwise, plug appliances straight into the generator, or use heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use and for the load you're running. Check cords for cuts or worn insulation, and don't run them through standing water.
3. Don't get burned. Turn off the generator and let it cool before refueling
Gasoline spilled on a hot engine or muffler can ignite. Shut the generator off and let it cool before adding fuel, following the cool-down time in your owner's manual. Store fuel in approved containers, outside the living space and away from the generator, any pilot lights, and anything that sparks.
Get the patio ready before the power goes out
Generator safety starts with having a clear, safe spot to run it, and the patio is usually where the storm cleanup starts. Our patio and lanai hurricane checklist covers what to bring in, what to do with the pool, and when to start each step.
Many Florida homeowners also protect the lanai itself. Fenetex® MaxForce™ Hurricane Screens stay rolled up above the opening and lower with a switch or remote, so you don't have to store panels or put them up the day a watch is issued. See how MaxForce™ Hurricane Screens work.
More ways to keep the household safe
Keep it dry
Don't run a generator in the rain unless your owner's manual allows it. The CPSC notes that some manuals call for an NFPA-rated, non-combustible generator tent, and others say to wait until the rain passes. Never set up a generator in standing water, and keep your hands dry when you plug anything in.
Keep kids and pets well away
The engine and muffler get hot enough to burn, and cords are a tripping hazard. Set up a charging station for phones and tablets well away from the generator, on a power strip fed by a heavy-duty outdoor-rated cord. Don't prop a door or window open to pass a cord through, because that lets exhaust in.
Install carbon monoxide alarms and know the symptoms
Put battery-powered or battery-backup CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, and test them before the season starts. Symptoms of CO poisoning include:
Headache, dizziness, or weakness
Nausea or vomiting
Confusion or blurred vision
Shortness of breath or chest pain
If anyone feels sick, seek fresh air and call 911. Staying inside the CO2 zone will only increase symptoms and may lead to death.
After the storm
Before you start the generator, walk the yard. Look for downed lines, standing water, and debris where you plan to set it up. Stay away from any power line on the ground, and report it to your utility. If you have motorized screens, check the housings and tracks before running them, and don't force a screen that binds. Our guide on how to spot storm damage on motorized screens walks through what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
How far should a generator be from the house?
20 feet. According to the CPSC and FEMA, point the exhaust away from the home and any windows, doors, or vents in its path. Farther is better if your yard allows it.
Is it safe to run a generator in the garage with the door open?
No. Nope. An open garage door does not clear carbon monoxide fast enough, and the gas can seep into the house through shared walls and doors. The CPSC says never to run a portable generator in a garage.
Can you run a generator on a covered lanai or screened porch?
No. A covered lanai, porch, or carport traps exhaust right against the house, and screened enclosures sit next to sliders and windows. Move the generator into the open yard, at least 20 feet away.
Can you run a generator in the rain?
Only if the manufacturer's instructions allow it. Some require an NFPA-rated, non-combustible generator tent; others say to wait until the rain stops. Never use a tarp or makeshift cover that traps exhaust or heat.
Related reading
Sources
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: portable generator safety during hurricane season
FEMA: keep your family and pets safe when using generators after a hurricane
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: carbon monoxide poisoning
Fenetex® MaxForce™ Hurricane Screens are made in the USA by Fenetex® in Jacksonville, Florida. Installed and serviced by Florida Living Outdoor.
