ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The official start of hurricane season is a little more than just a week away, and you may be among those people who are putting together how to best weather the next storm.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

This year, Orange County Fire Rescue is pushing a new message on how to use these generators safely: outside, away from your home and dry.

Only run generators outside and not in your garage.
If you plan on using a generator after the next big storm, take advantage of quiet weather days to test it out. Know how to start it, then identify a safe place 10 to 20 feet away from your home to put the generator.

READ: NHC tracking first disturbance of 2022 Atlantic hurricane season in Gulf of Mexico

Know where the exhaust is so you can point it away from your home
Have a reliable extension cord ready to use.

READ: What do they mean? Disturbance, depressions, tropical, subtropical storms, hurricanes

Only refuel when the generator is off and cool, or the generator could catch fire.
A carbon monoxide detector could add extra protection.
With a limited power supply, pick the most important items to power up such as your fridge, fans and phones.

WATCH: Severe storms trigger tornado warning, bring strong winds and hail to parts of Central Florida

You don’t have to run generators 24 hours straight. Pick times you need, such as fans at night.
If you’re worried your portable generator could get stolen, secure it with a bike chain.

Cleaner air contributes to more Atlantic hurricanes Scientists linked changes in regionalized pollution across the globe to storm activity. (NCD)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.