Fall Safety Tips
Fall is colorful leaves, cleaning up around your home for winter, closing up the outdoors and bringing it indoors, crackling fires in the fireplace, heater kicking on, candles being lit and so much more. Stay protected this fall as you come indoors with a few helpful tips!
LEAVES
Colorful leaves are great for kids jumping in and seeing the smiles that light up their faces. For the older generation, they can be menacing at best. As the fall winds begin to pick up and the leaves begin to fall, make sure your generator is clear of the leaves and debris that come with fall and the shedding of the summer outdoors. Clearing leaves away from your Generac Generator will ensure proper air flow in and out during outages and save our technicians time when they service your generator.
Lots of leaves? Bag them up for your local pick up, call a local landscaper, mulch company, or gardener to have them turned into compost, add them to your own compost pile, or find an environmentally friendly way of collecting and disposing of your leaves. Burning leaves in some areas is prohibited, be sure to check with your homeowners’ association or community on local laws. Leaf burning is not only damaging to our environment but can also be a home fire hazard. Keep your leaves in check and be safe!
POWER WASHING
Power washing is also a fall event that many homeowners perform to get prepared for winter. When clearing off the deck and walkways to prepare for winter, be sure to use proper soaps and cleaners for your type of power washer. Hale’s stocks a full inventory of power washer accessories and solutions for use with your Generac brand power washer! Having a little challenge with your power washer? Our Service Department is ready to service your Power Washer for the end of the season or to fix a challenge! Call them today to schedule your service or ask questions!
BLEACH, POWER WASHING & TRANSFER SWITCHES don’t mix
Be sure that whether you or someone you hire pressure washes your home that bleach is NEVER used at or near the transfer switch. The electrical components, aluminum wiring, and bleach can cause a house fire! Never use bleach near electrical components of your Generac Generator.
SERVICE YOUR HEATING EQUIPMENT
Just as you service your Generac Generator and Power Washer regularly, be sure to service your furnace and fireplace as well. Gas leaks can be deadly! By having your furnace and fireplace checked by professionals, you are less likely to have gas leaks or a fire break out. Be safe and take the extra precaution.
AUXILIARY HEATING
Space heaters, generators, ovens etc are many times used in ways they should not be. Protect yourself and know how to properly use the equipment you have! Space heaters, kerosene heaters, and similar devices required air flow beyond a closed up house. If you are using these items in an enclosed area, get a window or door open to allow fresh air to flow in and out of your home. Read the safety precautions before using any type of heating device.
When power outages occur, your oven should not be used as a heat source. Research options and save money to purchase those options before you need them! Hale’s has a full inventory of Generac portable and home standby generators for you to choose from, including some that operate off of gas grill lp tanks. Connect with us or stop in to see your options. Financing is available for Synchrony qualified buyers.
CANDLES
Candles provide ambiance and romance. Candles left burning can cause a fire and leave you homeless. Be sure to check your candles before leaving your home or going to bed. Almost 10,000 house fires occur annually due to improper use of candles according to the National Candle Association. Don’t be a statistic!
SMOKE DETECTORS
When do you change the batteries in your smoke detectors? Choose a date to put on your calendar yearly and make it a fun family event! Whether it is the first day of fall, New Year’s Day or Valentine’s Day, add it to your calendar and create a family event so everyone will be in the habit and remind each other. Doing this important task as a family instills great habits in your children as well. Know some senior citizens in your neighborhood? Change theirs for them as well. Be a good neighbor!
Fall brings us such joy; the rich smell of apple cider & donuts, warm apple crisp fresh from the oven, baked chili and pumpkin soup, the smell of wet leaves falling and the cooler breezes. Don’t let fall be a season that reminds you of disaster. Get prepared, use common sense and be one step ahead toward being ready for winter!
