How to keep your portable generator ready for the next storm

With New Jersey facing its second nor'easter in less than a week — one expected to dump up to 12 inches of snow and bring wind gusts in excess of 40 mph — now is the time to prep for power outages.

Friday's nor'easter left tens of thousands without power across the state, with many not expected to get electricity restored until tonight, just in time for another storm.

With that in mind, here are 10 things to do before the storm hits.

• Get fresh gasoline — gasoline goes bad after a few months and will have a stale or sour smell if it has gone south.
• Have extra gasoline on hand. A typical 5,000-watt generator can burn 12 to 20 gallons every 24 hours.
• Use a gasoline stabilizer. It will keep the gasoline in your can and your generator fresh for a longer period of time.
• Drain and replace gasoline if it has been sitting in your generator for more than six months without a stabilizer.
• Check your oil level before you start the generator. Replace if dirty, top off as needed.
• Check your air filter. If it is visibly dirty, replace it.
• Start it today, when it's 50 degrees and there is no snow on the ground.
• DO NOT use your generator indoors or inside a garage. Generators need plenty of ventilation.
• Run it dry. When you are finished using the generator, run it dry by turning off the gas valve while the engine is running. That will keep the carburetor clean and protect it from old gasoline. Just remember to open the valve next time you start the generator.
• Run your generator once a month to keep the engine's internal workings lubricated and to burn off moisture. 

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How strict is this rule? Or is it as possible if you have a backyard to leave the generator 20 ft away, kind of recommended when possible?

I know, one can't run it inside a garage even with the garage door open, as CO will find its way to the door inside, so no, even if the new gens has CO auto-shut off!

So, as long as it is run outside the house with open air, or in some shed with ventilation, should it be fine? Perhaps having a CO detector inside the house would always help.