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Hurricane Season 2024: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

May 31, 2024

As we approach the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, experts are forecasting a potentially record-setting number of storms and landfalls, especially impacting the Southeast and Gulf coasts. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, with predictions of 17 to 25 named storms. Of these, 8 to 13 could become hurricanes, and as many as 7 might develop into major hurricanes.

In 2023, weather-related disasters displaced over 2.5 million people nationwide, with more than a third remaining displaced for over a month. These powerful storms impact not only coastal regions but also cause damage hundreds of miles inland.

The American Red Cross is preparing to respond to hurricanes this season and urges families to get ready too.

It’s critical to make your own emergency preparations. Here are some steps to be prepared before, during and after a hurricane:

Before

  • The key to staying safe is having an emergency plan in place and being well-prepared.
  • Having a source of backup power during a hurricane is crucial for maintaining safety, comfort, and communication. It ensures that essential appliances like refrigerators, medical devices, and lights remain operational, preventing food spoilage and supporting health needs.
  • Stay informed by listening to local news and weather reports for potential hurricane watches and warnings in your area.
  • Determine if your area is prone to hurricanes and sign up for local alerts.
  • Trim dead branches and cut down dead trees to reduce the danger of these falling onto your house.
  • If you live on the coast or in a low-lying area near the coast, be ready to move inland or to higher ground. High winds can create large waves, which may become storm surges when they reach the shore.
  • Have your emergency kit ready. Families should be prepared to be self-sustaining for at least 3 three days. Kits should include practical items such as drinking water, food, cash, and a portable radio. However, they should also include items that are unique to your own families’ needs. This could include baby items, medical prescriptions, pet food, etc.

During

  • Be ready to evacuate on short notice.
  • Stay informed by keeping up with the latest warnings and advisories through radio, local news channels, or by following local news outlets and emergency officials on social media.
  • Follow evacuation orders from authorities or community leaders and steer clear of flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
  • If the eye of the hurricane passes over, there will be a temporary calm lasting from a few minutes to half an hour. Stay in a safe place away from windows, but not in the basement, during this period. Be aware that once the eye passes, strong winds will resume from the opposite direction.

After

  • Stay updated by listening to the radio, watching local news channels, and following news outlets and emergency officials on social media.
  • Be aware of potential secondary hazards such as flooding, landslides, and structural damage.
  • If the power goes out during a hurricane and you need to use a generator, be sure to follow these safe generator practices like use it outdoors, protect from moisture, secure placement, avoid overloading, use correct cords etc.
  • Avoid damaged areas and fallen power lines, and be cautious of debris like sheet metal, glass, and other sharp objects.
  • Avoid using water that could be contaminated and discard any food that might be spoiled, including items from the refrigerator and freezer.
  • Photograph any damage to both the building and its contents for insurance purposes.

When the power goes out, essential appliances like your refrigerator, electric stove, lights, and air conditioning become unusable. Food in your refrigerator will spoil, and replacing it can be very costly. Without the ability to charge your phone, use your computer, or access local news, you’ll be cut off from vital communication during a hurricane power outage. Without air conditioning, your home can become unbearably hot, and the high temperatures and humidity can also damage the interior of your home.

At Champion Power Equipment we provide the power that can help “weather” a hurricane:

  1. Generators: During a hurricane, having a Champion generator can be a crucial asset. Champion generators are known for their reliability and ability to provide backup power when it’s needed most. With various sizes available, you can choose a generator that suits your specific needs, whether you want to power just a few essentials or your entire home. Champion generators run on gasoline, propane, or natural gas, providing flexibility in fuel options. With a Champion generator, you can ensure that you have a reliable source of power to keep your home running smoothly, even during the most challenging weather conditions.
  2. Inverters: Using a Champion inverter during a hurricane can be a lifesaver. Its efficient and reliable power delivery can keep essential appliances running, providing comfort and safety during power outages. With its ability to produce clean power suitable for sensitive electronics, a Champion inverter can be particularly useful for charging phones, powering lights, and running medical devices. Additionally, its portability allows for easy transportation, ensuring you have power wherever you need it most during a hurricane.
  3. Home Standby Generators: Having a Champion home standby generator during a hurricane provides invaluable peace of mind. This reliable source of backup power ensures that your home remains powered, even amidst prolonged outages. Connected directly to your propane or natural gas system, a Champion home standby generator eliminates the need for refueling, allowing it to operate continuously throughout the storm. Its automatic start feature ensures that power is restored swiftly after an outage, safeguarding your family and property from potential dangers associated with prolonged power loss. With Champion’s dependable performance, you can weather the storm with confidence, knowing that your home standby generator is there to keep your lights on and essential appliances running smoothly.
  4. Storm Shield – Severe Weather Cover: A Champion storm shield cover for your inverter and generator provides critical protection during severe weather. It shields the equipment from heavy rain and high winds, preventing water damage and electrical faults. It ensures the equipment remains operational and safe throughout the storm, ultimately extending its lifespan and maintaining your power supply during emergencies.

At Champion, our dedicated customer support team is always here to help. We know how frustrating it can be to wait for assistance, so our highly trained professionals are available 24/7 to provide expert support. You can reach us by phone or through our live chat feature for prompt help whenever you need it. If you prefer to troubleshoot on your own, our Help Center offers a wealth of articles and resources for quick solutions. Additionally, our YouTube channel provides instructional videos on topics ranging from maintenance tips to troubleshooting technical issues.

Having a reliable power source during an emergency is invaluable, as the safety and security of your family are more important now than ever.

*Using a generator indoors CAN KILL YOU IN MINUTES. Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide. This is a poison you cannot see or smell. Generators must ALWAYS be used outdoors, far away from occupied buildings with engine exhaust pointed away from people and buildings.

The Gardener’s Toolbox: Essential Tools for Cultivating Your Garden

May 16, 2024

Welcome to our gardening blog, where we delve into the world of essential gardening tools. Whether you’re a novice gardener or a seasoned pro, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference in the success of your garden. To start off, we’re here to share our tips and tricks for gardening to help you achieve success in your own garden this spring:

  1. Prepare Garden Beds:
    • Clear away any debris, weeds, or dead plants from garden beds.
    • Loosen the soil with a garden fork or tiller to improve aeration and drainage.
    • Add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil and provide nutrients for new plants.
  2. Plant Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs:
    • Spring and Summer are the perfect times to plant various kinds of vegetables, fruits and herbs such as lettuce, spinach, raspberries, strawberries, mint, parsley and many more.
    • Check your local frost dates to determine the best time to plant in your area.
  3. Start Seeds Indoors:
    • Start seeds indoors for warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, as well as flowers and herbs.
    • Use seed starting trays or containers filled with seed starting mix, and provide adequate light and moisture for germination.
  4. Prune Shrubs and Trees:
    • Prune shrubs and trees to remove dead or damaged branches and promote healthy growth.
    • Trim back overgrown shrubs to maintain their shape and size.
  5. Monitor Pests and Diseases:
    • Keep an eye out for signs of pests and diseases, such as chewed leaves, holes in foliage, or yellowing plants.
    • Take proactive measures to control pests and diseases, such as hand-picking insects, using organic pesticides, or practicing crop rotation.
  6. Maintain Lawn:
    • Rake and remove debris from the lawn to allow for better air circulation and light penetration.
    • Aerate the lawn to relieve compaction and improve water and nutrient absorption.
  7. Plan and Design:
    • Take some time to plan and design your garden layout for the season.
    • Consider factors such as sun exposure, soil type, and plant compatibility when selecting plants for your garden beds.

By following these gardening tasks in spring, you’ll set the stage for a successful growing season and enjoy a bountiful and beautiful garden throughout the year.

Champion Gardening Tools

While Champion Power Equipment is known primarily for its power equipment, we do offer some tools and accessories that can be useful for gardening tasks. Here are a few Champion tools that may be beneficial for gardening:

  1. Leaf blower: Our leaf blowers are invaluable tools for gardening, particularly during the fall season. We provide walk behind and backpack leaf blowers. With powerful gas engines and efficient design, they make quick work of clearing leaves, grass clippings, and debris from garden beds, pathways, and other outdoor areas. Their gentle airflow settings ensure that delicate plants are not harmed during use, while their lightweight construction and ergonomic handles make them easy to maneuver around the garden.
  2. Lawn Edger: Our lawn edgers are essential tools for gardening enthusiasts looking to maintain crisp and defined edges in their lawns and garden beds. With powerful engines and precision blades, they make quick work of trimming grass along sidewalks, driveways, and flower beds, resulting in a polished and manicured look. Their ergonomic design and adjustable height settings with curb hop functionality ensure comfortable operation and allow for customization to suit different lawn types and landscaping preferences.
  3. Rear and Front Tine Tillers: Our rear and front tine tillers are essential tools for gardeners looking to prepare soil for planting and cultivate their gardens with ease. With powerful engines and durable tines, Champion tillers effortlessly break up compacted soil, remove weeds, and incorporate amendments, resulting in optimal growing conditions for plants. Whether you’re tackling large garden plots or tough soil, our tillers offer versatility and efficiency to get the job done quickly and effectively. Their ergonomic design and adjustable features ensure comfortable operation, while their rugged construction ensures long-lasting durability.
  4. Cultivators: Lastly, we offer cultivators designed for various gardening and landscaping needs. Our cultivators are known for their durability, efficiency, and ease of use. From small-scale gardening to larger landscaping projects, They aim to make soil preparation tasks more manageable and efficient. These machines are often designed to be user-friendly, with features such as adjustable tilling widths and depths, ergonomic handles, and reliable engines for consistent performance.
  5. Chipper shredder: Champion chipper shredders are essential tools for gardeners looking to efficiently dispose of yard waste and organic debris. With powerful engines and robust cutting mechanisms, our chipper shredders effortlessly reduce branches, leaves, and other vegetation into fine mulch or compostable material. Their portable design makes them easy to maneuver around the garden, while their durable construction ensures long-lasting performance.
  6. Augers: We are also known for manufacturing a range of outdoor power equipment, including augers. Champion augers are designed to provide efficient and reliable performance for various digging tasks, such as drilling holes for fence posts, planting trees, or installing signs. These augers typically feature robust construction, powerful engines, and user-friendly design elements to make the digging process easier and more efficient.

At Champion, our dedicated customer support team is always available to assist you. We understand the frustration of waiting for help, which is why our team of highly trained professionals is ready to provide expert assistance 24/7. Whether you prefer contacting us by phone or using our live chat feature, we’re here to offer prompt support whenever you need it. If you prefer solving problems on your own, our Help Center offers a wide range of articles and resources to help you find solutions quickly. Additionally, our YouTube channel features instructional videos on various topics, from maintenance tips to troubleshooting technical issues.

 

 

#GenerateAction: Save Portable Generators

May 2, 2024

Make your voice heard before it is too late. It’s easy.

Let them know how important these life-saving sources of secondary power are to average Americans.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has proposed a rule that would effectively ban portable generators on store shelves. They say it’s about protecting people from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning – but it ignores an industry-wide standard – which includes built-in CO detection and automatic shut-offs – that already protects against 98.3% of CO incidents.

Let’s take a look at the facts.

  • CPSC position: They claim the current voluntary standard is ineffective and not followed.
    • FACT: Manufacturers embrace a voluntary standard (ANSI/ PGMA G300). Units have a CO monitor and shutdown system, well-established performance safety requirements, and clear warnings to never operate generators indoors. These solutions are +98% effective and the majority of portable generators come with this technology. The overwhelming compliance with a voluntary standard WAS NOT considered by CPSC in its rule-making.
  • CPSC position: They feel it can regulate products without following statutory requirements.
    • FACT: The CPSC is required by law to rely on voluntary safety standards when it adequately addresses the product hazard and is likely to have substantial compliance – which ANSI/PGMA G300 does. The CPSC has not followed procedural guidelines for a mandatory standard.
  • CPSC position: They believe their proposal will save lives.
    • FACT: The CPSC changes actually put consumers at risk.
  • CPSC position: They believe limiting CO emissions further has no negative consequences.
    • FACT: Industry testing concludes that the CPSC changes would force portable generators’ exhaust temperatures to over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme temperatures that could prompt house fires, lead to burns, and threaten users’ safety.

Our industry has ALWAYS taken safe use of our products seriously.

It’s why the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association (PGMA) created and actively promoted the TAKE IT OUTSIDE™ campaign (www.takeyourgeneratoroutside.com) to make it easy for consumers to remember proper usage guidelines for portable generators. We also created the ANSI-accredited G300 safety standard in which all portable generators are equipped with a CO detector and automatic shut-off.

Take Action

Help stop the CPSC from taking away your portable generator by sending an email to the CPSC and your Member of Congress.