MIAMI  (CBS4) - Now that the storm has passed, and your lights are still on, chances are you are one of the lucky South Floridians with a generator. That means you're likely to be wondering, "What do I do with all of this gas?" If you waited in long lines to get it, the first thought is to keep it on hand for the next storm, but experts say that may not be the best choice for safety, and for the good of your generator.

Like many products, gasoline has a short shelf life. Its not something most people think about, because most gasoline goes from production to your car's tank within a matter of weeks, but fuel experts say after a few months, the components in gasoline can break down. Using gasoline which has destabilized may cause your generator not to start when needed, and could actually damage your expensive investment.

Many manufacturers of engines used in generators put restrictions on the amount of time gasoline should be stored before use in engines.

Even proper treatment of stored gasoline does not eliminate the risk of fire, especially if you store larger amounts of fuel.

The National Petroleum Council points out that most areas have local codes restricting how much gasoline a homeowner can store.

Fire officials say small amounts of gasoline for lawn mowers and yard tools, in the proper containers, can safely be kept in most garages when stored properly. However, with many people bringing home 4 or more 5-gallon containers of gasoline to feed their generator, the level of risk increases dramatically.

The National Agriculture Safety Database offers a number of tips for gasoline:

In urban areas, it may be difficult for many South Florida homeowners to meet the requirements for safe storage. Fire officials say the best course is to use the generator gasoline in your car after the storm passes, and get more fuel when the storm threatens.

But the experts say if you choose to store gasoline, you need to realize it is one of the most dangerous substances you will have at your home, and balance the risk of having a highly explosive chemical on your property versus the reward of not having to refill the tanks when a storm threatens

First published on June 21, 2011 / 12:24 PM

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