Protecting Homes From Power OutagesIs Becoming Easier (NAPSA)—Bysimply flipping a switch or inserting a plug into an been restored, which is a valuable asset for those who may be away from home when poweris lost. “During severe storms, a generator can pay for itself after just one major event by protecting a household from damage,” says Simpson. “It provides peace of outlet, Americans enjoy countless appliances and gadgets, from refrigerators to electric foot massagers. However, while consumers WAL seem to take electricity for gran- ted, a recent national survey revealed that more than 70 percent of homeowners are concerned about losing power. Given the fact that nearly 90 mind by controlling and minimiz- percent of U.S. households experi- ence power outages at some point during the year, homeowners are seeking ways to protect their pos- sessions and loved ones. Approximately 10 percent of U.S. households have found a solution: the home generator. This number is increasing as more Americans—sick of drying out basements or throwing out refrigerators full of food due to powerfailures—are looking to the home generator to prevent costly power outage-related damage. In fact, the survey revealed that more than 15 million Americans are planning to purchase a standby generator for the home within the next two years. “With a standby generator in place, homeowners can feel secure that daily life will go on in the event of a weatheror utility crisis that results in loss of power,” says Pat Simpson, HGTV host andcor- St ee Americans are turning to standby home generators to ease poweroutage concerns. Briggs & Stratton offers the fol- portable generator or a permanent standby model, what once seemed to be an overwhelming needit the most. e Always run your generator outdoors in well-ventilated areas. Portable generators are available engine according to the mainte- decision to many is now easier. to meet the power needs of many household items with wattage requirements of 4,000 to 10,000 watts. When using a portable generator, it is critical to have a Manual Power Transfer System, which eliminates the need for extension cords and makes transferring standby power to a home fast, safe and easy. Portable generators are gener- ally less expensive than their permanent counterparts. Permanent generators may be slightly more expensive, but their overall value and convenience can porate spokesman for Briggs & Stratton. “It’s an affordable way to ensure that your refrigerator, furnace, lights, well pump and other appliances are functional when you need them.” between 5,000 and 20,000 watts of Whether a homeowner needs a tion, automatically start, and remain on until the line power has Generators have made major strides in recent years by becoming more consumer-friendly. ing the inconveniences that come with power outages.” When using standby generators, it is important to have a basic understanding of safety issues before operating the unit. prove priceless when a big storm hits. These units connect directly to the home’s natural gas or propane fuel supply and offer power. Permanent standby generators can sense a power disrup- lowing tips to help you safely operate your generator when you Maintain your generator nance schedule for peak perfor- mance and safety. Check engine oil daily or after eight hours of operation. Do not operate the engine near combustible materials. Keep gas fresh. If you do not plan to use your generator for up to 30 days, stabilize the gas witha gas stabilizer. e Never plug your portable generator directly into your house circuit. Protect your generator from exposure to rain and snow. Oper- ate generator in an open canopy wheneverpossible. Turn engine off portable gen- erator and let cool two minutes before refueling. For more information on choos- ing the best generator for your needs, visit www.briggspower products.com or call 1-800-7434115,
