Generator safety
Outdoors only. Every time.
Carbon monoxide from a generator exhaust is a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell. These rules are not optional.
The rules
Outdoors, in the open
Never in a house, garage, shop, store room or on a balcony, even with doors open.
Three metres from openings
Keep it away from doors, windows and vents, exhaust pointing away from buildings.
Alarms inside
A carbon monoxide alarm in every sleeping room. Test it monthly.
Cool before refuelling
Switch off and wait ten minutes. Store fuel in approved cans, away from the house.
No back-feeding
Connect through a changeover switch fitted by a technician, never through a wall socket.
If an alarm sounds
Get everyone outside into fresh air, switch the generator off from outside if it is safe, and call for help.
Placement
Where it can and cannot go
| Place | Safe | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Open compound | Yes | Fumes blow away |
| Generator house with open sides | Yes | If it vents to the open air |
| Garage | No | Fumes build up even with the door open |
| Balcony | No | Fumes drift back inside |
| Store room or shop | No | No airflow |
| Under a window | No | Fumes come in through the window |
If anyone feels dizzy, sick or sleepy while a generator is running, get everyone outside first and ask questions later.
Safety questions
Is a soundproof generator safe indoors?
No. The canopy reduces noise, not fumes. It still runs outdoors.
Will you place it for me?
Yes. Our technicians choose the spot and will not connect a generator in an unsafe place.
Do I need an alarm if I have an inverter?
An inverter has no exhaust, but if you also run a generator, fit alarms.