Staying plugged in after a power outage can be the difference between
comfort and chaos.
Whether the power loss is caused by a hurricane, blizzard, tornado, or
another sudden natural disaster, communication and access to up-to-date
information is critical for families during an emergency. Fortunately,
with a little planning, there are ways to stay plugged in when the power
goes out.
September is National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). All month long, GE Generator Systems
— a coalition member of FEMA’s Ready
campaign — is educating the public about the importance of home
emergency preparedness.
Perhaps the easiest way to stay connected during an extended power
outage is by supplying power to your home with a home generator system,
which turns on automatically when a home’s utility power is interrupted.
“A standby generator system keeps a household powered, even if the
neighborhood is left in the dark,” said Amanda Grandy, marketing manager
for Briggs & Stratton® (NYSE: BGG) Standby Power, exclusive licensee of
GE Generator Systems. “This means you can power computers, TVs and
radios, and charge cell phones or cordless phones — everything you need
to stay connected during an emergency.”
Backup generators provide power to a household’s large appliances when
the main power source is down. Common home appliances operated by a
standby generator include air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators,
electric stoves, clothes washers/dryers and lights.
“A standby generator offers a backup power source for a home, but what
it really gives a family is the peace of mind that their household will
be prepared when disaster strikes,” Grandy said. “However, it’s
important to remember that standby generators must be professionally
installed, so planning ahead is important.”
Even without an automatic standby generator system, families can take
steps to stay connected when the lights go dark. Online mobile devices
and mobile smart phones with Internet access allow information to
continue to flow into the home.
First, make sure you have a power source for these devices if the power
goes out, such as an inverter, solar charger or car charger. Then,
investigate local and national information sources, such as these:
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Local city, utility and public safety departments. Oftentimes, these
departments allow citizens to sign up for mobile alerts via text
messaging or email to notify them of impending emergencies and
clean-up efforts.
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Local news stations routinely offer mobile alerts that can be sent
directly to your phone for free.
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Sites such as Nixle.com
allow you to sign up for a free emergency alert service and, after
entering your zip code, receive tailored notifications and advisories
via text message or email from local government and safety agencies.
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Several apps available for iPhones or Android smart phones including
The Weather Channel and Storm Spotter have free mobile weather alerts
offering local weather radar and forecasts — a big benefit if you’re
stuck without power in the middle of a storm. The Pacific Disaster
Center’s Disaster Alert app allows users to track impending natural
disasters world wide — a great tool for those in hurricane-threatened
states.
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Websites keep you informed, too. Visit ready.gov
for a variety of additional emergency preparedness tips to get ready
for the unexpected and keep your family safe.
To learn more about how a standby generator can prepare a home for an
emergency power outage, visit www.gegenerators.com.
About Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Briggs
& Stratton Corporation (NYSE: BGG), headquartered in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, is the world’s largest producer of gasoline engines for
outdoor power equipment. Its wholly owned subsidiaries include North
America’s number one marketer of portable generators and pressure
washers, and it is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of lawn
and garden and turf care through its Simplicity®, Snapper®,
Ferris®, Murray®, Branco® and Victa®
brands. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured,
marketed and serviced in over 100 countries on six continents.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best
people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges.
Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and
finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just
imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's
website at www.ge.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2013