If you do, get a transfer switch and patch it in to your home's service panel.
Mine is on an automatic switch...if it senses a loss of grid power, it cuts on in about a minute. It's hooked up to a 200a auxiliary panel running the important stuff (like the water pump, basic lights, etc...). Although the main heat is electric, if we really needed to the wood stove downstairs is patched into the heat ducts...
The one problem with generators is fuel...make sure you have plenty of it beforehand, or if you have a buried LP tank, getting an LPG conversion might not be a bad idea.