Tips on how to safely store or dispose of extra gasoline.

Hurricane Dorian has passed and now we are left with gallons of gasoline that (thankfully) were not needed to power portable generators.

If you are wondering what to do with that highly flammable liquid sitting in your garage, here are a few safety tips from fire officials.

“Use it,” says Mike Mosher, division chief of Coral Springs/ Parkland Fire Department. “Put it in your vehicle or other gaspowered equipment, such a lawn mower.”

Gas is safe to keep in the garage or shed as long as it is stored in an approved container, he says.

Since we are still in active hurricane season, having extra supplies of gas on hand is a good idea, Mosher says, “But don’t store excessive amounts, which would be more than 10 gallons.”

If you already filled your generator to prepare for the storm, “Don’t syphon it out. Run the generators until it is clear of fuel,” Mosher says.

If you don’t have the time to run the generator all at once, do it in cycles to deplete the fuel supply, says Michael B. Kane, battalion chief of Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue.

“Never operate a generator too close to the house, near an open window or in the house or garage,” Kane says. “A byproduct of burning gasoline is carbon monoxide, which is deadly.”

But don’t be too concerned about the gas in the generator because it stays fresh for months, Kane says. There also are stabilizers that can be added to keep gas fresh until storm season is over on Nov. 30.

If you want to dispose of the gas, Moser suggests bringing it to a county household hazardous

waste collection site.

Broward County residents can find locations at Broward.org/WasteAndRecycling (click on the Waste Disposal tab). In Palm Beach County, go to

SWA.org (click on the Hazardous Waste tab). In Miami-Dade County, go to Miamidade.gov and search for home chemical collection centers.

Kane strongly cautions about the fire dangers of syphoning gasoline.

“If you have experience in syphoning, then do so, but never syphon by mouth with a hose. Only syphon using an approved gas can fitted with a hand pump, available at home improvement stores and boating supply stores,” he says.

Syphon outdoors on a level surface and wear gloves. If you get gas on your skin or clothes, wash them as soon as possible, he says.

“Never use water to extinguish a gasoline fire,” Kane says. ”This will only cause the fire to spread. Use a fire extinguisher.”