As with any service disruption scenario, you can greatly reduce your chance of experiencing a fire-related fatality or injury by addressing fire safety issues beforehand. Generator Safety Generators are often used during power outages, and if not properly used and maintained, they can be extremely hazardous. Only use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the home. Carbon monoxide fumes, released by generator, are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors. Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load.
Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed. Never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. Heating Safety Research suggests more than one-third of home fires in the United States occur during the winter months of December, January, and February. One of the reasons these months pose a magnified fire threat is due to increase use of heating sources, such as chimneys and wood stoves. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes.