Backup Power & Generators

Fire Safe Marin strongly recommends that all Marin residents prepare for power outages before and during wildfires and other emergencies. We recommend these purchases at a minimum:

1. Battery-powered AM/FM/weather radio
2. Battery powered lanterns

Optional purchases include:

3. Battery powered cell phone chargers
4. Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) for home telephones and internet/routers
5. Large capacity batteries such as Yeti or Tesla brand
6. Battery backups for garage door openers
7. Permanently (professionally) installed home generators

When the power goes out, you will likely need to rely on battery powered backup lighting.  Flashlights, though important, will not provide enough light to safely get around your home.  Battery powered lanterns provide good lighting with long battery life and can be safely placed in several areas throughout the home.   There are many relatively inexpensive products to choose from.  Another option are battery powered, wall mounted lights, sometimes referred to as “closet lights” that can be mounted near existing light switches.

Whatever option you choose, be sure to have a good supply of small D, C, AA, AAA and 9 volt batteries.

It’s very common for the power to go out before a fire strikes since fire and winds can damage electrical infrastructure.  You need to be prepared to communicate and escape, even without power.  How will you receive a warning at night if the power is out, and how will you open your garage door to evacuate if there is no power?

For garage doors, a battery backup should be installed. They typically cost less than $100 and can be installed by homeowners.

Check with your garage door opener manufacturer to see if they make a battery specific to your opener model, although universal models are available.

Make sure you can open and close the garage door when evacuating, especially in the dark. Practice opening the door manually if you do not have a backup battery, since the power may be out when a wildfire approaches.

Powerwall is an integrated battery system that stores your solar energy for backup protection. So when the grid goes down, your power stays on. Your system detects outages and automatically recharges with sunlight to keep your appliances running for days.

Tesla Powerwall with a solar energy system allows you to maintain a sustained power supply during the day or night, as long as you store enough solar power from your panels when the sun is shining.

As with many other home battery products, the Tesla Powerwall is sized for day-to-day use at your home and is often paired with a solar panel system. When your solar panels produce more electricity than you can use in your home, you can store the excess electricity in the battery system instead of sending it back into the grid. Later, when your panels aren’t producing enough electricity to meet your home’s needs, you can use the electricity stored in your battery instead of having to buy it from your utility company.

• Never run a generator in an enclosed space or indoors. Most generator-related injuries and deaths involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially enclosed spaces. That includes the basement or garage, spaces that can capture deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Always place the generator at least 20 feet from the house with the engine exhaust directed away from windows and doors.
• If you’re using a generator, ensure your home has working, battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors.  A carbon monoxide alarm provides a layer of defense against potentially deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Don’t run a portable generator exposed in the rain. You can buy tents for generators that keep them shielded but well-ventilated, available online and at home centers and hardware stores.
• Before refueling, turn off a gas-powered generator and let it cool. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts can ignite. Allowing the engine to cool also reduces the risks of burns while refueling.  recommends permanently (professionally) installed propane or natural gas-powered generators to improve safety.
• Extra diesel or gasoline must be stored properly. When you think you’ll need to use the generator for an extended time, you’ll want extra fuel on hand. Be sure to store fuel only in an ANSI-approved container in a cool, well-ventilated place.
• Don’t store gasoline near any potential sources of heat or fire, or inside the house.
• Adding stabilizer to the fuel in the can will help it last longer.
• Avoid electrical hazards. If you don’t yet have a transfer switch, you can use the outlets on the generator—providing you follow certain precautions. It’s best to plug in appliances directly to the generator. If you must use an extension cord, it should be a heavy-duty one for outdoor use, rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. First check that the entire cord is free of cuts and that the plug has all three prongs, critical to protect against a shock if water has collected inside the equipment.
• Install a transfer switch before the next storm. This critical connection will cost from $500 to $900 with labor for a 5,000-rated-watt or larger generator. A transfer switch connects the generator to your circuit panel and lets you power hardwired appliances while avoiding the glaring safety risk of using extension cords. Most transfer switches also help you avoid overload by displaying wattage usage levels.
• Don’t attempt to backfeed your house. Backfeeding means trying to power your home’s wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. This reckless and dangerous practice presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices, so you could end up frying some of your electronics or starting an electrical fire.