DANGERS: Man, 7 children died from carbon monoxide poisoning, relatives say. Generators are perfectly safe if properly used and positioned, but if not, this sort of thing can happen all too easily. Here are some generator safety tips. And if you’re going to use a portable generator — and probably, even if you’re not, just on general principles — get a carbon monoxide alarm. In this case, the generator was reportedly “in the kitchen.” Uh, no. They need to be outside, and well away from any doors or windows.