When Storm Season Approaches, Ready Your Outdoor Power Equipment Friday, March 1, 2019 Ready Your Outdoor Power Equipment (NAPSA)—At any time of year, storm preparedness is important. Hurricanes, floods and storms can dam- age prop-erty and endangerlives. The preparations you make ahead of bad weather, however, can help you recover faster and stay safer during the storm andthecleanup. To help, the Outdoor Power Equip- Be preparedfor bad weather by giving your outdoor power equipment a goodlook-over. ity vehicle, golf car and personaltransment Institute (OPEI)—an interna- tional trade association representing power equipment, small engine, utilport vehicle manufacturers and suppli- ers—offers tips for home and business owners. “Right before a storm, people can Use safety zones and protect bystanders. Observe a safety zone by keeping powerlinesatleast50 feet away from your workarea. Keepbystanders, rush,andit’s easy to skip key steps in getting their outdoor power equipment children and animals out of your work. CEOof OPEI.“Atall timesofthe year, ing it up orusingit. ready,” said Kris Kiser, president and keep your equipmentin working order, have the right fuel on hand and know where your safety gearis. This is doubly true during storm season.” Survey your property. Consider the damage a storm mightcauseandlist the equipment you might need to weather the storm or make repairsafterward. Take stock of your equipment. Make sure equipment is in good working order. If needed, take it to an authorized service center for maintenance or repair. Find your safety gear. Avoid the scramble for sturdy shoes, safety goggles, hard hats,reflective clothing, flash- lights with workingbatteries, and work gloves. Round them up nowandstore them in anaccessible area with your area. Donotallow other people near outdoor power equipment whenstart- Follow safe procedures when using chain saws. Always stand with your weight on both feet and adjust your stance so you're angled away from the blade. Hold the chain saw with both hands. Never overreach orcut anything above your shoulder height. Always have a planned retreat path if somethingfalls. Understand kickback, which may happen when the moving chain at the tip of the guide bar touches an object, or when the wood closesin and pinchesthe saw chainin the cut. Use generators safely. Generators should never be used in an enclosed areaorplaced inside a homeorgarage, even if the windowsor doorsare open. Keep the right fuel on hand for Place the generator outside and away from windows, doors and vents. There should be plenty of ventilation. Keep the generator dry and donotuse it in rainy or wet conditions. Before refueling, turn the generatoroff andletit cool down. by having the right fuel on hand.It is howto drivesafely. Keep the UTV stable and drive slowly. Do not turn the vehicle mid-slopeor while ona hill. equipment, and improperfueling may pumpssafely. Never operate a centrifugal pump withoutwater in the pump equipment. Review the owner's manuals for your equipment. Know howto operate your equipmentsafely. your outdoor power equipment. Fuel stations maybeclosedafter a storm, so it’s importantto protect your equipment illegal to use any fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol in outdoor power damage or destroy your equipment. Use the type of fuel recommended by Make sureall UTV operators know If removing waterafter a flood, use casing.All self-priming pumps require your equipment manufacturer and waterto be addedto the pumpcasing to start the priming process. For more information, visit www. For further facts and tips, go to store fuel in an approved container. LookBeforeYouPump.com. Learn More www.opei.org. --- PHOTOS --- File: 20191107-134444-20191107-134443-86727.pdf.jpg --- FILES --- File: 20191107-134443-86727.pdf