What happened
As reported by The Cool Down on 23 August 2026, a homeowner who had been without power for several days posted a photo of their portable generator running outside and asked a simple question: is this a safe distance? Many of the replies warned that it was too close to the house.
It is one of the most common questions after any storm, and one of the most important to get right.
The short answer
Keep a portable generator at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust pointing away from doors, windows and vents. Never run one in a garage, basement, crawl space or porch, even with the doors open. And have a working carbon monoxide alarm inside. Make sure the generator is serviceable, and if it is rented, make sure it has a safety tag.
Why distance matters
A portable generator produces as much carbon monoxide as hundreds of idling cars. Exhaust drifts and pools, and it is easily drawn indoors through open windows, gaps around doors, dryer vents and air intakes. Wind direction can change in minutes. That is why safety agencies set a minimum distance, and why closer is never safer.
Many generator deaths happen at night, when a house full of people is asleep.
A generator checklist
- Outside only, at least 20 feet from the house.
- Exhaust pointed away from doors, windows and vents, yours and your neighbors’.
- Working CO alarms on every level and outside bedrooms.
- Look for CO shut-off on newer models. It turns the engine off if levels build up.
- Leave at once and call 911 if anyone feels dizzy, sick or weak.