An outage is a lot less stressful when you've thought it through once, in advance, instead of scrambling in the dark. The aim of a home backup plan with a portable generator isn't to run your whole house, it's to keep the handful of things that truly matter going: food cold, phones charged, medical devices running, a few lights on. This is a practical checklist you can work through now and keep by the generator. Print it if that helps.
Prepare this before an outage hits
Do these while the power's still on and you're not under pressure:
- Know which essentials you'll run, and that they fit your generator's rated output.
- Keep fresh fuel on hand, stored safely in approved containers away from the house.
- Confirm the generator starts and runs (don't let its first start be during the outage).
- Have heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cords ready (at least 14 AWG for up to 20 ft).
- Install and test battery-powered CO alarms indoors.
- If you want the generator tied into house circuits, have a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.
- Keep flashlights, batteries, and a manual on hand.
Your run-these-first priority order
When the power goes out, cover needs in this order, and remember this class runs essentials, not everything at once:
- Medical devices first, anything health-critical, such as a CPAP.
- Refrigerator and freezer, to protect your food (keep the doors shut).
- Essential lighting, enough to move around safely.
- Communications, phone charging and the Wi-Fi router.
- Comfort and convenience loads only if you still have rated-power headroom.
Stage high-draw items rather than running them together, and run things like a microwave or coffee maker one at a time. A short guide to what a fridge really needs is in the refrigerator article.
For the fridge specifically, see Can a Portable Generator Run a Refrigerator?.
Safety, every single time
This is the part that's never optional:
Safety
- Run the generator outdoors only, well away from windows, doors, and vents, exhaust aimed away from the house.
- Never run it in a garage, basement, or any enclosed space, not even briefly.
- Never backfeed through a wall outlet; use a transfer switch installed by an electrician.
- Cool the engine before refueling; no flames or sparks near fuel.
- Keep it dry and level, and keep children and pets clear.
The full reasoning behind each of these is in the Portable Generator Safety guide, and the start-up routine is in How to Start a Portable Generator Safely.
A quick sizing sanity check
If you're still choosing a unit, add up the running watts of your priority list above and make sure a model's rated output covers it with headroom, plus enough peak capacity for the fridge's startup surge. That's the whole sizing question in one sentence, and there's a fuller walkthrough if you want it.
See How to Choose the Right Generator Size. Compare essential-backup sizes
Questions people ask
What should I run first during an outage?
Health-critical devices, then the fridge and freezer, then essential lights and communications. Add comfort loads only if you have headroom.
Can I run everything I normally use?
No, this class is for essentials, not simultaneous whole-house loads. Prioritize and stage high-draw items.
How much fuel should I keep?
Enough for the outages you realistically expect, stored safely in approved containers. Rotate it so it stays fresh.
Should I test the generator before I need it?
Absolutely. Don't let the first start be during an emergency. Start it periodically so you know it's ready.
Do I need a transfer switch?
Only if you want the generator connected to your home's circuits. If so, it must be installed by a licensed electrician, never backfeed instead.
Last updated: July 3, 2026 · Reviewed by: SIOKIUU Power Support