Where were you when the lights went out? Stories about surviving a prolonged power outage can be funny and interesting -- but usually only in retrospect.

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Sitting in the dark without heat, air conditioning, or refrigeration can be frightening -- and dangerous. That's why some people purchase portable generators to use in emergency situations. But generators are not one-size-fits-all. You have to know what to look for and how to use one safely, or your generator could do more harm than good. Buying a generator means considering power need, safety and price.

What to look for
What generator you purchase should be based on how much power you need. Generally, the more power it supplies, the more expensive the generator will be. If price is a concern, you need to decide exactly what you will plug into your generator and choose the smallest wattage available.

Some considerations are:

Refrigeration. This will be especially important to diabetics or others whose health depends on medication or other products -- such as milk for babies -- staying cool. Also consider the nuisance of spoiling food.
Lighting. It is best to use as minimal lighting as you can tolerate. Besides, candlelight can be romantic. Then again, if you have small, rambunctious children, candles might not be such a great idea -- no need to add fire to an emergency situation.
Heating or air conditioning. This should be an important consideration of the elderly, those with very young children and those who live in extreme conditions.
Cooking. If you have a gas stove that will run without electricity, love beef jerky or don't mind eating out of a can, cooking shouldn't be a major concern. Power outages can also be a great time to bring out the fondue pot.

Overloading your generator is dangerous. The American Red Cross warns that an overworked generator can blow a fuse or damage the equipment connected to it. To determine the amount of wattage you will need to power each of these appliances, check their labels. For the amount of wattage a light will need, check the wattage of the bulb. If you can't find the labels or don't trust your mathematical skills, ask an electrician to help you determine a minimum wattage. At the bottom of this story is a price comparison for generators of different wattage.

Using caution
For safety reasons, the American Red Cross recommends that you only purchase generators that are approved by the Underwriter's Laboratory (these products would be marked with a "UL") or Factory Mutual (which would be marked with a "FM"). Both of these companies certify a product's safety.

The UL and FM marks won't guarantee that accidents won't happen with your generator. As UL states on their Web site, "Any product can become unsafe if it's abused or used contrary to a manufacturer's instructions." You should read all the instructions that come with your generator and follow them. If the instructions are confusing, call the manufacturer or an electrician for help.

To avoid an inconvenience from turning into a tragedy, The U.S. Product Safety Commission recommends:

Never using a generator indoors or in an attached garage. This can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. The generator should be outdoors in a well-ventilated area where the carbon monoxide will not leak back into the house.
Although the generator should be outdoors, it should be protected from direct exposure to rain and snow. Consider a canopy, open shed or carport.
Do not plug the generator into the house wiring system. If this is absolutely necessary, it must be done by a qualified electrician.
Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords to connect appliances to the generator. Make sure the cords can handle the wattage level you are using.
Never plug the generator into a wall outlet.

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company also recommends keeping cords out of the way so that you don't trip over them. Under a rug is not a good place for an extension cord -- a damaged cord could go unnoticed and cause a fire. Florida Power and Light advises against leaving a generator running while you are away from home or asleep -- this is also a fire hazard.

It's a lot to consider. But if you decide a generator is right for you, shop around to get the best price.

Here is a comparison of some portable generators, where you can find them and what they cost:

Electric Generator Store
0 to 3,000 WATT: $387.80 to $2,067
3,000 to 6,000 WATT: $399.99 to $2,376.60
6,000 to 9,000 WATT: $848.69 to $2,739.99
More than 10,000 WATT: $1,849.95 to $3,695

Electric Generators Direct
0 to 3,000 WATT: $375 to $2,850
4,000 to 5,000 WATT: $799.99 to $3,299.99
6,000 to 10,000 WATT: $999.99 to $3,850
More than 10,000 WATT: $1,999.99 to $4,500

Power Complete
0 to 3,000 WATT: $401.97 to $1,219.97
3,750 to 5,000 WATT: 1,039.97 to $2,088.97
6,000 to 10,000 WATT: $699.97 to $3,069.97