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Hurricane Season 101: What experienced people do to get ready

May 29, 2019

 

If you’ve ever been caught unprepared when a hurricane hit your area, there’s no doubt you’ll have all your ducks in a row the next time hurricane season comes around. We spoke to several people who survived Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina and Hurricane Andrew in Florida to get their recommendations on how to prepare for hurricane season. When we asked them to share their most important hurricane preparation advice, our survival experts came up with these words of wisdom.

  1. Gather supplies and prepare a safe area in your home. Make sure you have a first aid kit, medications, batteries, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio, as well as a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food for your family and your pets.
  2. Take advantage of technology. Purchase one or two portable phone chargers, and make sure they’re charged up. Download a smartphone app that will notify people of your location and whether or not you’re safe. The Red Cross has a free hurricane app you can download. Check redcross.org and this article for a list of great apps to get you through an emergency.
  3. Be prepared to evacuate. Even if you don’t live on the coast, you should still have a plan for evacuating, and make sure that plan includes your pets. Put important family documents in a binder so you can take them with you. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes, make sure you keep your gas tank full and have your supplies ready to go.
  4. Prepare your home and your street. Reinforce garage doors, and board up your windows with ⅝-inch plywood or hurricane shutters. Bring in outside items if they can be picked up by high winds, and check the storm drains in your neighborhood to make sure they’re free from debris. If not, organize your neighbors to get together and clear away any debris that could clog drains and create drainage issues.
  5. If you own a portable generator, it’s smart to have plenty of extra propane or gasoline on hand to fuel it, as fuel will be in high demand during and after the hurricane. If your generator has been in storage, follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to make sure it’s ready to provide backup power when the power goes out. Here is a helpful video on how to remove and prep your generator from storage.

Readiness for a hurricane power outage should include a generator. During the hot summer months, going for days without air conditioning is not only miserable, it can be dangerous for you and your family, plus the high temperatures and humidity can damage your home’s interior. Depending on the type and size generator you own, you can have access to your lights, air conditioning, refrigerator, stove, and more, not to mention access to the weather and news.

There are two main types of generators for hurricanes: portable and home standby.

A portable generator is perfect if you only want to back up a few essentials. Portable generators come in different sizes, they run on either gasoline or propane, and they don’t need to be installed.

If you’re interested in powering more than just the essentials, or even your whole home, you may want to have a standby generator installed. Standbys never need refueling since they’re connected to your propane or natural gas system. Your home standby generator starts automatically when the power goes out and returns to standby when power is restored, ensuring safety and convenience for your family during a hurricane power outage.

Following the advice of hurricane survivors to prepare now is smart, plus knowing you have a safe source of power ready to go will provide peace of mind for you and your family during any season.

Prepare for a Power Shutoff

May 16, 2019

https://youtu.be/9qAM7VFLfps

As California power companies take responsibility for helping to keep our communities safe from the danger of wildfires, we all need to be prepared in the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff. When vegetation is dry and high winds occur, if a live power line goes down, conditions are ripe for a fire to break out and spread rapidly, putting lives and entire communities in the path of devastation. During extreme weather conditions, especially during periods of high wind, power may be turned off for days in order to prevent wildfires from occurring and spreading.

Many people here in California have never experienced a prolonged period without power, and have not had a reason to think about what to do and how to prepare for such an event. Most of us would be able to deal with a power outage of a few hours, but there’s a strong possibility that we need to be prepared for the power being shut off for an extended period of days.

Here are some practical steps you can take right now so you’ll be ready ahead of time when the power goes off.

  1. Always have a reliable generator by your side. A portable generator is fueled by gasoline or propane, and some models even allow you to switch between fuels. A portable generator can back up a few essentials or almost everything in your home, and should be chosen based on what items you need to power, your preferred fuel, and what features are important to you. A home standby generator must be professionally installed and is connected to your home’s propane or natural gas system, so it never needs to be refueled. When the power goes out, your home standby starts automatically, and when power is restored, it returns to standby.
  2. Make sure you can open your garage door manually. In case you need to leave your home or evacuate while the power is out, you’ll need to be able to get your vehicle out of the garage. Locate your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer if necessary to get instructions, and practice opening it ahead of time to make sure you can do it successfully. It’s also important to keep plenty of gas in your vehicle’s fuel tank so you’ll be ready to go if you need to.
  3. If you own a backup generator, make sure it’s operational. It’s important to test your generator periodically to make sure it’s ready to safely provide a source of backup power for you. Don’t forget to review your owner’s manual to make sure you know how to operate your generator safely. If you plan to use a portable generator to back up your power during a Power Shutoff, make sure you have a supply of either gasoline or propane on hand. Check your owner’s manual to learn about the approximate runtime for a tank of fuel to determine how much fuel you should purchase.
  4. Put together an emergency supply kit. Make sure your first-aid kit is new or replenished with fresh supplies. You’ll also need flashlights, lanterns, a radio, extra batteries, a written out list of emergency phone numbers and contacts, non-perishable food, bottled water, supplies for your pets, and cash.
  5. Make sure you have backup charging methods for your phone. Purchase additional backup battery phone chargers for yourself and your family so you’ll be able to stay in touch with emergency contacts and reach out for help when you need it.
  6. Plan ahead for medical devices that rely on power and medications that need to be refrigerated. The medical needs of you and your family are top priority. Keep prescriptions together in an easily accessible location, and keep necessary medications on hand. If you have medications that require refrigeration, or medical devices that require power, secure an emergency plan for relocation or an alternative source of  backup power. For emergency lifesaving medical devices, it’s important to follow the ADA Emergency Power Planning Factsheet and contact your local power company to inform them of your needs and discuss the available options.

Although power companies plan to send out an alert to customers when the power is about to be shut off, it may not always be possible depending on weather conditions. Since we’re based in California, all of us here at Champion Power Equipment are preparing our homes and families for this challenge right along with you. Our team is available to provide the support you need and answer your questions as you make plans to secure a safe source of backup power. If we take the time and make the effort now to prepare our homes and our families, we can face a Power Shutoff together with confidence and peace of mind. For more information and helpful resources, please visit calpowershutoff.championpowerequipment.com or the official California Public Safety Power Shutoff website at www.prepareforpowerdown.com.

Is Your Generator Ready for Hurricane Season?

April 25, 2019

When an unexpected hurricane or storm hits and the power goes out, it’s a pain, but, no worries. You’re one of those people who has planned ahead for emergencies by purchasing a generator. You can handle it. All you have to do is power up your generator to get the lights back on. Then it hits you. Your generator is still in storage.

Has this ever happened to you? Don’t let it. Get ahead of hurricane season now and make sure your generator is ready for action when the power goes out.

Checking and prepping your generator can be done anytime, since storm seasons can also occur at different times throughout the year depending on your location. It makes sense to know what steps to take so you can make sure you’re always prepared for the unexpected.

First, if your generator has been stored improperly with gasoline in the fuel tank or carburetor, all of the fuel must be drained and the carburetor must be cleaned before you can use your generator safely. If you didn’t realize there was a right way and a wrong way to store your generator during periods of unuse, check out our Help Center for more info on how to clean a gummed up carburetor. Then, the next time you are ready to store your generator, resist the urge to just put it away quickly because you have other things to do. Taking the time to store your generator properly will save you time and hassle when you need your generator the most – during an emergency.

If you did store your generator properly by draining the fuel tank and carburetor according to your owner’s manual, great! You have a much easier job ahead of you.

Here’s what to do:

https://youtu.be/z7GRxCUga-Q

  1. Take your generator out of storage and place it outside.
  2. The first thing you’ll need to do is add fresh, regular octane fuel. Make sure you don’t overfill the tank so you can allow for fuel expansion.
  3. Next, you’re going to want to check for fuel leaks. Make sure your engine switch is off, then, turn your fuel valve on. Wait five minutes and then check the carburetor and air filter areas for leaks. If you do happen to discover a leak, you’ll need to disassemble your carburetor and clean it or replace it.
  4. If you don’t find any leaks, you can go ahead and turn your fuel valve to off, use a dipstick to check the oil level and add fresh oil if necessary.
  5. Next, take a look at your air filter and make sure there are no obstructions like bugs or cobwebs. Remove any obstructions you find and clean and replace the air filter according to your owner’s manual.     

That’s it!

Fresh fuel, no leaks, fresh oil, clean air filter, and you’re good to go. With hurricanes and other storms brewing, you can rest easy knowing that if a storm hits, you won’t be stuck without power because you have taken the time to get your generator ready to provide backup you can count on during an emergency.

Champion Continues Partnership with Grant Enfinger in 2019

February 13, 2019

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA (Feb. 12, 2018) – Champion Power Equipment, a market leader in power generation equipment, announced they will continue their partnership with NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series (NGOTS) driver, Grant Enfinger in 2019. Enfinger, who enters his third full-time season in the series with ThorSport Racing, will pilot the No. 98 Champion Power Equipment/Curb Records Ford F-150 for the Sandusky, Ohio,-based team.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be back at ThorSport Racing in 2019,” Grant Enfinger, driver of the No. 98 Champion Power Equipment/Ford F-150, said. “I’m thankful that Duke and Rhonda Thorson, along with Champion Power Equipment, Mike Curb/Curb Records, and Ford have allowed us another opportunity to show them what we’re made of. As a team we made some really big strides last season, and we’ve worked all off-season to continue down that path. Ford Performance has given us even more resources to work with this season, and we have everything we need to fight for wins and a championship in 2019.

“Champion Power Equipment has been a huge part of my career the last five seasons,” Enfinger said. “Champion’s line of portable generators are a great fit for NASCAR fans who love to tailgate and camp at their favorite race track. It’s always fun to go out into the campgrounds and meet all the fans that support Champion. By getting out there and connecting directly with their consumers, we’ve had the honor and privilege to see that brand grow over the years. I look forward to working with everyone at Champion again in 2019, and cannot thank them enough for their support.”

In addition to adorning the No. 98 for the season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (DIS) later this week, Champion Power Equipment will also be the primary partner on the No. 98 Ford F-150 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (February), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March), Dover International Speedway (May), Gateway Motorsports Park (June), Chicagoland Speedway (June), Kentucky Speedway (July), Eldora Speedway (August), and Talladega Superspeedway (October).

“Grant (Enfinger) has been a great ambassador for our brand,” Todd Welzbacher, of Champion Power Equipment, said. “Through our NASCAR partnership over the last five seasons we’ve seen measurable growth in generator sales, and we attribute that to being able to connect directly with our consumers – the NASCAR fans. Our customers have a passion for the outdoors, and we have a passion to provide both dependable and durable power products. On behalf of everyone at Champion Power Equipment, we wish Grant and the No. 98 team the best of luck this season.”

Enfinger, who earned his first career NGOTS Pole Award in the season-opener at DIS in 2016, also has two wins in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at the 2.5-mile track, and will make his fifth career NGOTS start in the season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250 on Friday, Feb.15. All the action will be televised live on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR channel 90 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

For more information on Grant Enfinger visit: www.GrantEnfinger.com or follow him on Twitter @GrantEnfinger or on Facebook at Facebook.com/GrantEnfinger.

About Champion Power Equipment:

Since 2003 Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. From our original headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California, Champion has expanded its North American footprint to include facilities in Jackson Tennessee, Milwaukee Wisconsin and Toronto Canada. Today Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 2.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field. For more information visit: ChampionPowerEquipment.com.

About Curb Records:

Curb Records is one of the world’s leading independent music companies. Owned and operated under The Curb Group by Mike Curb since 1962, Curb Records has achieved 433 number one records, over 1,500 hundred Top Ten records and charted over 4,500 total records. Today’s roster includes some of the top names in Country, Christian and Pop/Rock music. Curb Records has produced over 100 Billboard awards and achievements and was recently honored as the 2015 Mediabase Gold Label of the Year. For more information visit: Curb.com.

About ThorSport Racing:

Entering its 24th season of competition, ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series team, competing in the series since 1996. With 1,110 starts to its credit, the team has amassed three driver championships, 29 wins, 225 top-five and 472 top-10 finishes, 32 pole awards and 5,247 laps led in NCWTS and the ARCA Racing Series. For more information, visit ThorSport.com.

Champion Continues Partnership with Off-Roader Casey Currie in 2019

February 1, 2019

CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT CONTINUES PARTNERSHIP WITH CASEY CURRIE IN 2019

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA. (Feb. 1, 2019) — Champion Power Equipment announced they will continue their partnership with professional off-road champion, Casey Currie in 2019. Currie, who recently took gold at the inaugural Jeep Wrangler X Challenge at the Winter X Games in Colorado, will represent the brand’s line of power washers, and truck winches. Additionally, the Anaheim Hills, California., native will also appear at the 13th Annual King of Hammers week, Feb. 1 to Feb. 9, in Johnson Valley, California with the power equipment market leader.

“In addition to the perfect power solution portable generator, you can also count on Champion Power Equipment pressure washers for all your outdoor projects,” Todd Welzbacher, of Champion Power Equipment, said.” Whether he’s in the dessert, or at home washing off all the dirt, we make the power to make his, and your life, easier. On behalf of everyone at Champion Power Equipment, we are honored to have Casey (Currie) represent our current line of pressure washers in 2019, and look forward to launching our new line of pressure washers later this year.”

Currie, whose off-road resume is lined with wins on motorcycles, trucks and buggies in the desert—is no stranger to dirt sports. In 2018 Currie became a Champion Powered Athlete and claimed victories in the 50th Annual Baja 500, and the 51st Baja 1000, while taking home the 2018 Score Series Championship in the Hammers Unlimted Class.

“I compete in 10,000km, 10-day races in the desert, miles away from home, so I need dependable, durable, power products, and that’s exactly what I get from Champion Power Equipment,” Casey Currie, professional off-road racer, said. “Whether I’m in my side-by-side in South America, or in a UTV at home in California, Champion offers portable power solutions to power up for my day, and the do-it-yourself cleaning power, to tackle all my outdoor activities.”

For more information on Casey Currie visit, www.CaseyCurrie.com or follow Casey on Instagram, @CaseyCurrie.

For more information on Champion Power Equipment and their line of Products, visit: www.ChampionPowerEquipment.com

About Champion Power Equipment:

Since 2003 Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. From our original headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California, Champion has expanded its North American footprint to include facilities in Jackson Tennessee, Milwaukee Wisconsin and Toronto Canada. Today Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 2.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field.

Champion Home Standby Featured on This Old House

January 21, 2019

A Champion Power Equipment 14kW home standby generator was featured on a recent episode of PBS’s This Old House. The generator and automatic transfer switch were used as part of the TOH team’s solution to build a net-zero house. Check out the above episode link to watch the generator and transfer switch in action (starts at minute 13).

You can also browse our complete line of home standby generators and automatic transfer switches.

Bassmaster Elite Angler Shane Lineberger Partners with Champion in 2019

January 21, 2019

CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT PARTNERS WITH BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES ANGLER SHANE LINEBERGER IN 2019

Santa Fe Springs, CA (January 18, 2019)—Champion Power Equipment, a market leader in power generation equipment, announced today that it has added angler, Shane Lineberger to its roster of “Sponsored Champions” for 2019. Lineberger, who competes in the Bassmaster Elite Series, will represent the brand’s line of winches and inverters, and will also test and evaluate products, and appear at events throughout the season for the Sante Fe Springs, Calif.,-based company.

“It starts with our name,” Todd Welzbacher, of Champion Power Equipment, said. “We believe in supporting those dedicating their time and energy to live like champions. Shane (Lineberger), and the outdoor lifestyle he represents, is important to our culture and our brand. Our customers have a passion for the outdoors, and we have a passion to provide both dependable and durable power products. Whether you’re on the lake, at home, or at work, we make the power that makes your life easier. On behalf of everyone at Champion Power Equipment, we wish Shane the best of luck this season.”

Lineberger, from Lincolnton, N.C., kicks off his third season in the Bassmaster Elite Series in the 2019 Basspro.com Eastern Open at Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla., January 24 to 26, 2019.

“As an outdoor enthusiast, it’s important to have power and dependability in our products, and that’s exactly what I get from Champion Power Equipment,” Shane Lineberger, Bassmaster Elite Series angler, said. “After a full day on the water, I can charge my boat batteries anywhere, any time using a Champion Inverter. They’re lightweight, quiet and fuel efficient, so I’m powered-up in the morning for a full day of fishing.”

For more information on Shane Lineberger and for updates during the 2019 Basspro.com Eastern Open visit, www.Bassmaster.com

For more information on Champion Power Equipment and their line of Products, visit: www.ChampionPowerEquipment.com

About Champion Power Equipment:

Since 2003 Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. From our original headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California, Champion has expanded its North American footprint to include facilities in Jackson Tennessee, Milwaukee Wisconsin and Toronto Canada. Today Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 2.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field.

5 Things to Do Now to Prepare for Winter Storms

December 7, 2018

If you’ve ever endured a prolonged power outage in the dead of winter, you don’t need anyone to convince you how important it is to be ready in case a winter storm hits. No power means no heat, and if heavy snow, blizzard conditions and icy roads are part of the mix, getting out of the house might not be an option for a few days. Here are five things you can do to prepare for severe winter weather. 

1. Back up your power

The first priority, of course, is the health and safety of your family. If you lose power, do you have a plan for keeping your family safe and warm? If you don’t already have one, purchasing a reliable generator should be the first thing on your list.

There are two main types of generators for winter storm preparation: portable generators and home standby generators.

A portable generator is great if you only want to back up a few essentials. Portable generators come in different sizes, they run on either gasoline or propane, and they don’t need to be installed.

If you’d like to power more than just the essentials, or even your whole home, you may want to have a standby generator installed. Standbys never need refueling since they’re connected to your propane or natural gas system. Your home standby generator starts automatically when the power goes out and returns to standby when power is restored, ensuring warmth and safety for your family during a winter storm power outage.

2. Prepare your home

To prevent expensive damage from burst water pipes, consider insulating pipes in exposed areas and when the temperature drops, remember to let water drip from faucets served by uninsulated outdoor pipes. Keep the warmth in and the cold out by installing storm windows or insulating your windows from the inside with plastic. Also, check around your doors for air leaks and add weatherstripping where needed. Trim any tree branches that could be a danger to your home if they fell, and make sure your roof and shingles are in top condition so they can withstand heavy snow and strong winds.

3. Stock up on supplies

If you live in an area where ice storms frequently cause power outages, make sure you have a first aid kit, medications, a portable phone charger, batteries, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio, as well as a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food for your family and your pets. It’s also smart to keep your gas tank full and have extra propane or gasoline on hand to fuel your portable generator.

4. Secure and protect outdoor items

Store or cover outdoor items that could be damaged during a winter storm. No matter how bad the weather is outside, it’s never an option to run your portable generator or inverter inside. The best way to protect your investment is with a Champion Storm Shield generator cover. You can run your generator with confidence in severe weather, since the cover withstands winds up to 70 mph, snow loads up to 18 inches and rain up to 12 inches a day.  

5. Purchase a snow blower

Unless your idea of fun is removing waist-high snow from your driveway with a shovel, you might consider purchasing a snow blower. A snow blower can help you clear your driveway after a snow storm in record time, and it could be a lifesaver if you need to leave your home during an emergency. If you already own one, get it serviced each fall so it will be ready to go when you need it.

If you’ve been putting any of these items on the back burner, get prepared now and you and your family will be able to face the unknowns of winter weather with confidence.

GenTent® Expands OEM Agreement With Champion Power Equipment To Cover Inverter Class Generators

September 27, 2018

Champion Power Equipment has demonstrated continued success in the Covered by GenTent™ program, tripling original projections of FY2017.

Nottingham, NH – September 27, 2018 – GenTent Safety Canopies, LLC., today announced it has expanded their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement with Champion Power Equipment to include new hardware to cover Champion’s inverter class portable generators. The agreement enables Champion Power Equipment to offer a branded, color-coordinated GenTent system, custom fit to now fit all of their portable generator models.

“We’re seeing more and more customers move towards inverter generators and our digital hybrid model due to the reduced size/weight, clean power produced, reduced noise level, and better fuel efficiency” said Jake Stadler, Inverter Generator Product Manager for Champion Power Equipment.  “With the positive response to our Storm Shield portable generator covers, Champion is excited to offer a convenient weather resistant solution to our users invested in our inverter generator line.”

Partnering Champion Power Equipment with the Covered by GenTent™ OEM program has yielded tremendous success in FY2017, tripling the original projections, and laying the ground work for the product line expansion in FY2018. GenTent’s market-leading canopies keep not only generators but generator operators safe by protecting the electrical panels while running in inclement weather — including blizzard and hurricane force precipitation.  Inverter class portable generators have become an increasingly popular sub division of the generator market, and Champion Power Equipment is consistently one of the leaders in the space.  The expansion of Champion’s now industry leading Storm Shield running cover is a natural step in continuing to grow the reach of their brand and satisfy their customers with the same quality they expect in the Champion product line.

“The GenTent is designed to help protect families, not only in times of emergency but anytime there is need for portable power. We are dedicated to helping customers use their power safely.” Said Brian Dobson, Business Development Manager for GenTent Safety Canopies.   “We are proud to partner with Champion Power Equipment as they lead the way in their industry for customer safety. The expansion of the Storm Shield product line is a big step towards ‘WeatherProofing’ all portable power options in the market.”

Champion Power Equipment’s Storm Shield, its custom version of the GenTent 10k for inverter class generators, will be available throughout Champion’s online and retail sales channels with anticipated availability in the Fall of 2018.

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About Champion Power Equipment
Since 2003 Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. From our original headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California Champion has expanded its North American footprint to include facilities in Jackson Tennessee, Milwaukee Wisconsin and Toronto Canada. Today Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 2.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field. For more information visit: https://www.championpowerequipment.com/.

About GenTent Safety Canopies
Established in 2011, GenTent® Safety Canopies are easy-to-install weatherproof covers that ensure safe operations of portable generators in virtually any wet weather conditions while keeping the generator portable. The GenTent reduces CO poisoning or electrocution risks by enabling portable generators to safely operate outdoors away from structures during wet weather. Installation is a simple 3-step operation – Clamp it, Frame it and Cover it – to “Weatherproof Your Power”™.

The company’s patented, portable generator safety canopies are U.S. made and relied on by the National Guard as well as homeowners and businesses during such notable storms as Hurricane Sandy, Irma, Harvey, and Maria. GenTent is considered the premier safety canopy for portable generators operated by RV owners, tailgaters, campers, homeowners, businesses and first responders. For more information visit: http://www.gentent.com/.