4.7 million. That’s how many households Lost power across six states, according to the latest figures. Approximately 1. 2 million Florida homes were without electricity when Hurricane Helene passed west of the Gulf beaches and eventually made landfall across the Big Bend region. 

As of this morning, 21,000 Florida homeowners still have no power, down from 92,000 on Tuesday.  That’s remarkable, considering on Saturday, about 222, 000 households were without power in the state of Florida alone. 

Crews have worked day and night to restore service to homes in the Sunshine State and these round-the-clock efforts have certainly paid off, allowing those affected by the storm to have a modicum of normalcy as they work to clean up and rebuild. 

Such a catastrophic event can certainly have a profound impact and make people rethink some of their choices. Unfortunately, at present count, at least 166 individuals died due to Hurricane Helene, but there are far many more who have survived. Although the exact causes of the death have yet to be determined for every case, some are known to have drowned, and others, possibly electrocuted. Still, there are likely to be cases of totally preventable fatalities due to the misuse of portable generators. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that anywhere from 85 to 100 people unnecessarily die each year due to portable generator misuse. In a majority of these instances, the cause of death is carbon monoxide, and it’s the toxic gas that grabs all the headlines. However, this silent, undetectable toxin isn’t the only danger that portable generators pose. Sadly, there are more hazards that these machines can unleash. Regrettably, all of these risks can be avoided, sparing unnecessary property damage, bodily injury, and death.

Common Risks Posed by Portable Generators

The running joke among Florida residents, particularly natives, is that the real fear of a hurricane isn’t the wind, rain, or storm surge, but losing power. It’s a macabre attitude and one that can be found in memes all over social media. But, it represents a very common disposition, as the vast majority of the peninsula’s residents never experience extensive property damage or personal harm. 

Nevertheless, as any person living in the Sunshine State knows, being without electricity means being without air conditioning. That’s an intolerable situation with temperatures often in the low to mid ’90s during the peak of Hurricane season. The answer to avoiding such situations is a portable generator and a small A/C window unit. For under $1,000, anyone can buy a portable generator that delivers 6,000 watts or more of power, enough to run a small window unit, a refrigerator, several lights, and possibly a stand-alone freezer.

The trouble is that portable generators can spark a very dangerous situation, particularly when misused-albeit, usually unintentionally. It’s known as backfeeding. But, it isn’t the only risk people face when using a portable generator, there are more.

Beware Backfeeding

We’ve all heard about the dangers of carbon monoxide – the gas leaving through the exhaust of not only portable generators but vehicles and more. There’s no downplaying this danger since nearly one hundred people die annually from carbon monoxide poisoning due to inhaling fumes from portable generators. 

Portable generator backfeeding occurs when power flows from the generator into the electrical grid through a home’s wiring. This usually happens when someone plugs the generator into an outlet without an appropriate transfer switch. 

Backfeeding is dangerous because it can send electricity into power lines that utility workers assume are de-energized, risking serious injury or death. Additionally, it can overload the generator or damage electrical systems. To prevent backfeeding, people should always use a transfer switch and avoid using unsafe “suicide cords.” Now, let’s take a look at the most common dangers portable generators can pose.

5 Hazards Portable Generators Can Cause

While portable generators are a convenient power source during outages, they come with significant safety risks if not used properly. From carbon monoxide poisoning to electrical hazards, these devices can easily pose serious dangers to users, their homes, neighbors, and even utility workers and power lines. 

1. Never refuel a running generator. This is a fire hazard because a hot engine and exhaust can ignite fuel vapors, leading to a fire or explosion. Additionally, personal injury is a real possibility as spilled fuel can cause burns, and the hot engine can result in serious injuries. Plus, refueling a running generator can damage the engine and other components.

2. Do not let a generator get wet. This is quite difficult, especially when rain is pouring down. Regardless, water does conduct electricity, increasing the risk of electric shock to anyone who comes into contact with the generator or its extension cords. What’s more, water can cause a short circuit, damaging the generator’s internal components. Then, there’s the possibility of electrical shorts, which can generate heat, and in turn can ignite fuel vapors or other flammable materials, causing a fire hazard. (Even if none of these happen, moisture can cause the generator to produce less power or stop working altogether.)

3. “Suicide cords” are extremely dangerous. So-called “suicide cords” are extremely dangerous when using portable generators because they involve connecting a generator directly to household outlets using male-to-male extension cords. This method bypasses circuit breakers, creating serious risks of electrical fires, electrocution, and backfeeding, which can send electricity back through power lines, endangering utility workers and neighbors. Furthermore, this illegal setup doesn’t ground the system properly, making shocks more likely. Proper transfer switches should always be used to safely connect a generator to a home’s electrical system.

4. Do not exceed the generator’s power rating. When a portable generator’s power rating is exceeded, it can lead to several dangerous and damaging outcomes. The generator may overheat, causing internal components to burn out or fail, reducing its lifespan or leading to permanent damage. Overloading can trip circuit breakers or blow fuses, interrupting power supply and potentially damaging connected appliances. In severe cases, exceeding the power rating could create a fire hazard or cause electrical shocks. Therefore, it’s essential to know your generator’s limits and balance the load appropriately to avoid these risks.

5. Do not run a generator near combustible materials. People should avoid running a portable generator near combustible materials because the generator produces heat and sparks during operation, which could ignite flammable items like gasoline, wood, paper, or dry vegetation. This increases the risk of a fire, especially in confined or poorly ventilated areas. Additionally, generators emit exhaust fumes, which include carbon monoxide, a potentially deadly gas, making it critical to operate them away from any flammable or combustible materials to prevent accidents or fires.

And here’s a bonus tip. Never plug a cord into a generator while it’s running. Additionally, do not unplug a cord from a portable generator when it’s running, either. Before you plug or unplug a cord from a generator, be sure to do so when the generator isn’t running because you run the risk of electrical shock or shorting out the line or the appliance or tool connecting the two.