Bonneville Power
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Portable Heaters & Generators
A portable heater or generator can keep you warm and keep things running during an outage. But owners of portable/auxiliary generators or heaters should be extremely careful. 

Before using this type of equipment, check your local safety codes and read the manufacturer's directions carefully - as a homeowner, you are responsible for the safe installation and use of the equipment, and you can be held liable for any injuries or damage.

Never plug your generator into a wall outlet. The electricity produced by a generator can ruin your home’s wiring and start a fire. It will also feed back into the utility system and energize a line thought to be without power. An unsuspecting utility lineman working on repairs could be seriously injured or killed, not knowing the line is live.

Always Have Plenty of Ventilation
NEVER use portable generators indoors or in garages, basements or sheds – even if doors and windows are open. They should always be used outside, a good distance from windows, doors, vents or any other opening.

The most important safety rule in running a portable generator or space heater is to make sure the area is well ventilated. If air isn't circulating, deadly carbon monoxide fumes can quickly build up.

A space heater should be placed at least three feet away from any other objects, especially fabrics like upholstered furniture, carpet and curtains. Never set the heater on a raised surface like a workbench, chair or table - it should sit only on an uncarpeted floor.

Choose a Solid and Stable Surface
Make sure your heater has an automatic tip-over switch that shuts the unit off if it's accidentally bumped. To prevent bumps from happening, keep the heater far away from traffic and play areas in your home.

If you'll be using the heater in a basement or garage, check the area for flammable materials, including paper, cardboard, paint and other chemicals.

Make Sure to use the Correct Fuel
Always use the correct type of fuel for your heater, and keep an extra supply stored safely away. Attempting to use kerosene in a propane heater, or vice versa, can be extremely dangerous. Before refueling the unit, unplug it, let it cool, and then take it outside to refill.

Keep a close eye on the heater while it's running, and be sure to shut it off before you go to bed or leave the house. Never run a portable heater for longer than the manufacturer recommends.

Powering Appliances
NEVER attempt to hook a portable generator to your home's service panel - it should only be used to power individual appliances.

Be sure to check the wattage of the appliances you'll be connecting, to ensure that the electrical load doesn't exceed the manufacturer's rating.

Try to avoid using extension cords with your generator; if you must use them, make sure it's the correct size. Using an ordinary extension cord on a large appliance can cause it to overheat, leading to damage to the appliance or even a fire. Use an indoor/outdoor, grounded (three-prong) extension cord to connect your generator to an appliance if you can't plug it in directly.