Significant power outages are likely to leave many residents in the region in the dark, as Hurricane Sandy moves ashore. 

Officials are urging caution for anyone planning on using a generator.  If used in-correctly, a generator could caught on fire, damage electrical equipment, and even cause injury or death to people operating the generator or in the building where it is being used.. 

Portable generators have a relatively short run-time and may need to be refueled several times a day during an outage.  Most portable generators are designed to work with a few appliances or pieces of electrical equipment. 

Before using a portable generator remember to purchase an electric power cord to feed the electrical equipment.  Never use generators indoors or outside near windows, vents, or air intakes.  Keep the generator dry.