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Home Generators: What You Need To Know

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Published: Tuesday, 18 November 2025 09:07

Home generators are great backup power sources during outages – but they also pose safety risks. Understanding how to purchase, install, and operate them correctly is key.
Here’s what you need to know about generator safety:

Purchasing
Choose a generator that can supply more power than the combined wattage of the appliances you plan to run, including their startup surge. If you’re unsure how much power you need, check the labels of your appliances or ask an electrician for help.

Risks: If your generator is too small, it can overload, shut down, blow a fuse, or overheat which could start a fire.

Installing

Set up your generator outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home. Generators emit deadly carbon monoxide (CO), an invisible, odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and death. Never use a generator indoors or in enclosed spaces like garages or basements. Install CO detectors in your home for added protection. Place your generator on a dry surface under an open canopy to protect it from moisture.

Risks: CO poisoning can kill within minutes if a generator runs in an enclosed area. Electrocution can occur if the generator or cords become wet.

Operating

Gas powered generators just need fuel to run. Use only the fuel type recommended by the manufacturer, and store it in an approved container outdoors, away from flames or heat sources. Once running, plug appliances directly into the generator or use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cord in good condition, with all three prongs intact. Turn off the generator and let it cool completely before refueling.

If you prefer to power your home electrical system directly, hire a qualified electrician to install a transfer switch with the required permits and inspections. Never plug the generator into a wall outlet—this “backfeeding” is illegal and can be deadly to power technicians.

Risks: Spilled or improperly stored fuel can ignite, as can refueling a hot generator. Damaged or undersized cords can overheat and cause fires. Backfeeding can electrocute utility workers or neighbours connected to the same transformer.

Home Generator Safety Summary

To prevent electrocution, fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning:

✅ ALWAYS use one that can handle more power than all appliances you plan to run.
✅ ALWAYS operate outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home, in a dry, open shelter.
✅ ALWAYS ensure you have working carbon monoxide detectors inside your home.
✅ ALWAYS turn off generators and let them cool completely before refueling.
✅ ALWAYS have home connection installed by a qualified electrician.

⚠️ NEVER use generators indoors or in enclosed spaces like garages or basements.
⚠️ NEVER store fuel inside living spaces or near open flames or appliances.
⚠️ NEVER use damaged or undersized cords, or cords meant only for indoor use.

Wildfire Safety

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Published: Tuesday, 06 February 2024 08:46

The best way to recover from an emergency, is through insurance

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Published: Wednesday, 10 August 2022 13:59

In the case of a house fire, wildfire, car accident, or hurricane, insurance is the best way to recover following unexpected events. 

Whether you are a homeowner, business, tenant, landlord, or recreational owner you can suffer devastating losses due to an emergency. Insurance isn’t meant to cover predictable events like regular home maintenance, it is there to help you cope with the financial burden of unpredictable events that are sudden and accidental.

Some insurance tips:

• Not all policies are equal. Coverage options vary, some may be less expensive however compare the policies to ensure your property is adequately covered.
• If you are evacuated from your home and need to stay at a hotel and get food and clothes, most insurance policies provide Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage that can assist with these additional costs. Ask your insurance company in advance what they need when you file a claim. Do they need receipts that you must keep throughout the year, a video of your belongings and property, and replacement items purchased for reimbursement? Knowing this in advance helps prepare for a claim.
• Review your insurance at least annually or anytime you make a substantial change to your property, like a renovation. This helps ensure you have appropriate and adequate insurance coverage for your home, business, and family needs.
• Some coverages like sewer backup and overland flood are optional; check your policy or speak with your insurance rep if you want to add these to your policy.
• Keep copies of your policies and insurance company claims contact information in your emergency kit.
• The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has information on home, auto, and business insurance. Contact IBC at 1-844-227-5422 or visit Insurance Bureau of Canada. 

Definitions of common types of insurance:

Homeowner

Covers the dwelling, outbuildings, contents, and personal liability of your family. Consider the rebuilding costs, replacement value over the years, and coverage for all your belongings.

Businesses

Protects you from losses that may pose a significant threat to your business operations. There are many different factors to consider for businesses such as coverage, deductibles, and policy limits.

Tenants

Covers the cost to replace your belongings due to theft, fire, or water damage after a loss. The landlord insures the building, you insure your belongings. Insurance also protects you if someone gets hurt or someone else’s property is damaged because of your negligence.

Landlords

Landlord insurance can help cover the cost of damage to your property as well as replace rental income.

Recreational Owners

Seasonal or secondary property insurance is different than home insurance. Seasonal properties are primarily used for recreation at certain times of the year. Don’t forget to consider the sheds, boats, and recreational vehicles as well. 

To learn more about insurance go to Review Your Insurance and Know Your Policy.

Summer Cottage Safety Tips from REMO

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Published: Wednesday, 10 August 2022 13:52

The Lunenburg Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) is urging residents to ensure they add safety preparations into their cottage opening plans.

Wintertime can cause unsafe conditions at cottages. The first thing you should do when reopening is check and change batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and check all chimneys. Doing these things will ensure a safe and fun summer for all cottage and cabin owners.

Other important reopening safety tips:

• Have smoke detectors on every story and outside of all sleeping areas in cottages, cabins, and homes.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors outside of all sleeping areas if your cottage, cabin, or home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage.
• Create and practice an escape plan to ensure all those in your cottage or home know what to do if either detector alarms sound.
• Clean and check barbecues before use and keep lighters, and matches out of sight, and reach of children.
• Inspect all heating appliances and chimneys before use.
• Always check the Burn Ban Stats at Check before you burrn to verify if open-air burning is permitted before having a campfire or burning brush.
• If open burning is permitted, fires should be built on bare soil or on exposed rock.
• Clean brush and leaves from around structures to reduce the risk of ignition from flying embers.
• Never leave a fire unsupervised and ensure you have a bucket of water or sand along with a shovel close by.
• When putting out a fire, it is important to ensure it is completely out - soak it, stir it, and then soak it again.
• If burning candles, make sure they are in sturdy, class shade-covered candleholders that are not at risk of tipping over and always check to see if they are blown out before leaving.
• If you are drinking, do so responsibly and do not operate heavy machinery or vehicles.