Yard & Grid explains concepts and compares equipment; it does not tell you how to wire, install, or modify anything in your home. Our guides do not replace the manufacturer’s instructions, product labels, local codes, or a licensed professional who can see your house. Please read this notice before acting on any power, preparedness, or garden guide.
Electrical work
We do not publish wiring or installation instructions. When an article discusses a transfer switch, an interlock kit, a generator inlet, a home battery tied into the electrical panel, or any other hardwired connection, it explains what the equipment does so you can talk to an installer with confidence. The work itself should be done by a licensed electrician, with any permits and inspections your local authority requires.
Connecting a generator or battery to a home’s wiring without the correct transfer equipment can send power back onto utility lines, a hazard known as backfeeding that can injure line workers and damage equipment. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.
Fuel-powered generators and carbon monoxide
Gasoline, propane, and dual fuel generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), a gas you cannot see or smell that can kill within minutes. Whenever an article mentions a fuel-powered generator, these rules apply:
- Run generators outdoors only. Never run one inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed, or other enclosed or partly enclosed space, even with doors or windows open.
- Place the generator far from windows, doors, and vents and point the exhaust away from the home. The CPSC advises keeping a portable generator at least 20 feet from the home.
- Install battery-operated or battery-backup CO alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas, follow the alarm maker’s placement instructions, and replace them on the schedule the maker sets.
- If a CO alarm sounds, or anyone feels dizzy, sick, or weak, get to fresh air right away and call 911.
- Let a generator cool before refueling, and store fuel in approved containers away from living spaces.
Follow the generator manufacturer’s instructions, CPSC guidance, and your local rules for generator placement and fuel storage.
Batteries and power stations
Portable power stations and home batteries store a large amount of energy. Follow the manufacturer’s manual for charging and operating temperatures, ventilation, storage, and cable sizing. Use only chargers, cables, and solar panels the manufacturer lists as compatible. Stop using a battery that is swollen, damaged, leaking, or unusually hot, and contact the manufacturer. Check the CPSC recall list at cpsc.gov for products you own.
Runtime and sizing estimates
Our calculations use stated assumptions and typical figures, such as an inverter efficiency factor or an appliance’s average draw. Your appliances, battery age, temperature, and usage will change the result. If someone in your home depends on powered medical equipment, talk with the equipment provider and your doctor about a backup plan, and do not rely on an estimate from an article alone.
Storms, freezes, and outages
Weather and emergency guidance changes with conditions. Follow alerts from the National Weather Service and instructions from your local emergency management office. FEMA’s Ready.gov has general preparedness guidance. Our preparedness guides help you plan and choose equipment; they are not emergency instructions.
Garden and outdoor work
Read and follow the label on any fertilizer, pesticide, or other garden chemical. Before digging for beds, posts, or irrigation lines, call 811 so underground utility lines can be marked. Follow the manufacturer’s assembly and anchoring instructions for greenhouses and structures, and check local rules on structure size and placement.
Product recalls and specifications
Specifications and safety information can change after we publish. Check the manufacturer’s current documentation and the CPSC recall list before you buy or use a product. If you notice outdated safety information on Yard & Grid, email [email protected] so we can correct it.
No guarantee of safety
No product or practice described on this site is free of risk. Your safety depends on correct use, installation, and maintenance, and on the conditions in your home. When in doubt, ask a licensed professional. Our Terms of Service and Editorial Policy explain the limits of our content in more detail.