Ways to Prepare Yourself and your Family this National Preparedness Month

We are once again in September and it’s National Preparedness Month. If you are not aware, September is the month dedicated to preparing and educating people on disasters. Natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes can occur without notice. That is why being ready for anything is important.

The first thing to have when a disaster strikes is a meeting spot or evacuation center. This could be the nearest fire station or a 24-hour grocery store that are a safe distance away from your home. These meeting spots may depend on the event but it’s important to establish a place and have a solid plan ahead of time. Once you have this setup, it’s time to think about other possible scenarios.

Here are some ways to prepare yourself and your family:

Preparation starts at home

Develop a family disaster plan. Like mentioned earlier, plan a place to evacuate should any disaster arises. If you are separated when an emergency occurs, plan how you will reconnect. Make a disaster kit. This should contain essential items to survive 3 to 5 days. Drinking water, first aid kit, identification documents, non-perishable food, flashlights, and battery-operated radios are some of the things you should pack.

Stay updated and informed

Information is available for everyone. It can be from federal, state, or local resources. Stay informed and learn what to do before, during, and after a disaster.

Help others as well

Most municipalities in the US have a disaster response and recovery plan made by the local government. If you want to help out, you can be an affiliate with an agency that is engaged in disaster response and relief.

Do not stop preparing

Disasters occur without any prior notice so it’s best to be prepared at all times. Revisit and update your family disaster plans time and time again. Change the supplies in the disaster kit so the food and water stay fresh. Being prepared will give you more chances of survival, it is key.

Some situations you can prepare for:

Home invasion

This is scary whether you are at home or not. Know how to protect your home from potential invasions to keep you and your family safe. You can start by checking the locks on your doors and windows. Secure any pet entrances and purchase a security system for your home. The presence of even one security camera will chase away burglars. If a break in happens and you are at home, here are a few things to remember.

• Stay calm and collected. Don’t panic. You will feel an adrenaline rush, use it to help you stay alert.
• Go to a safe room and call 911.
• If in the event, your safe room is not accessible, have evacuation plans. This can be window ladders or back door routes.
• Do not engage with the intruder. Do not let them know that you’ve called for help.
• Another thing to remember is to keep your car keys close to you so that you can hit the panic button on it. This will create a distraction and alert the neighbors.
• In case of an extreme situation, it would be good to have self-defense knowledge.

Responding to a situation like this is to practice. It’s important that you can think straight so that you will know how to defend your family and keep them safe.

Fire

Be sure that your home has the correct amount of fire alarms as this is the first line of defense. Practice setting them off and educating family members on what they should do if this alarm rings. Make an evacuation plan in your home and assign tasks to family members. In situations like this, it is very important to not panic. Make sure everyone is accounted for, even the pets, and then call 911 for help. If there is thick smoke, use something like a shirt to cover your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling it. If in the event, your clothing catches fire, know how to stop, drop and roll. Practice these safety measures so that if this disaster happens, family members will know how to respond.

Flood

If you live somewhere that’s prone to flooding, it’s good to know the warning signs and how to evacuate to a safe place. If you find your family and yourself trapped once the flood has begun, know that you should never enter fast flowing water on foot or in a vehicle. This can get you hurt or worse.

When water has flooded in your home, disconnect all electrical appliances and turn off your main electricity. Move furniture and other valuable stuff to higher ground. Depending on the frequency of the flood, it may be worth it to flood-proof your home.

Being prepared is the key to being safe from disasters. Take these simple actions and teach them to your family. Stay alert, stay safe!

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National Wellness Month: 7 Tips for a Healthier Life

This month of August is the best time to focus on managing stress and promoting self-care and healthy routines. You know why? Because it is National Wellness Month! Studies have shown how self-care helps reduce stress and promote happiness. And putting efforts into making a change in your lifestyle can significantly affect your health in positive ways. If you want to take the first step to living a healthier life, read the tips below.

Drink a glass of water in the morning

One of the very first things you should do when you wake up in the morning is to drink a glass of room temperature water. This will help cleanse your system and flush out toxins before you even eat any food. Also try adding a twist to your regular water by putting a slice of lemon or lime for a citrusy taste.

Get enough sleep

The importance of sleep cannot be emphasized any more. Regardless of your age, it’s imperative that you get an adequate amount of sleep every night. A lack of sleep is detrimental to your health in several different ways. Not only will it cause damage to your heart, it can also make you feel constantly tired, irritable and can reduce your attention span.

Eat healthy snacks

In between meals snacks don’t always have to be junk foods. You can snack the right way by switching to healthier alternatives. Instead of consuming too many sweet and starchy foods like candies, potato chips, and cookies, you may want to have nuts, berries and fruits. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals and are good for your health.

Exercise often

We are all aware of the benefits of working out and exercise. However, these are some things we usually take for granted. Exercising doesn’t always mean going to the gym and spending an hour or so sweating out. It can be as simple as taking a daily walk to or from work. Instead of taking the elevators, use the stairs as often as possible. Or  take your dog for a long walk during weekends. The important thing is that you take time to do some physical activity every chance you get. Having an active lifestyle can improve your heart health and overall well-being.

Connect with people

People who don’t have friends are said to have higher likelihood of sickness and early death. Their stress and depression can make them physically ill. This is the reason why experts highly recommend that we make time to connect and nurture healthy relationships with the people around us. Spend more time with your family, friends and loved ones. No matter how busy you are, make it a point to get in touch with someone close to your heart. Catch up with your friends during your free time. Visit your parents on the weekends. Doing these things can significantly impact your health, even in the later years.

Try new activities

Finding a new hobby can help reduce stress. If you haven’t done anything fun and exciting for a while, it’s time to look for a new activity that you can enjoy with your friends or family. Think about going hiking, playing a new sport or trying out a new adventure. This will help you unwind and even give you opportunities to meet other people who share the same interest. But if you want to try out some activities alone, that’s perfectly fine, too. For as long as it pumps your adrenaline and makes you happy, you can never go wrong with it!

Ditch the unhealthy habits

If you have some habits that you know are detrimental to your health, stop them now before it’s too late. This includes smoking and excessive drinking. Smoking reduces a person’s lifespan by several years. It can affect your lungs as well as your skin. It is one of the major causes of death in the world. If you want to live longer, ditch the unhealthy habits and always choose life!

There is no better time to live a healthy lifestyle than now. Start making these small changes and you’ll be amazed at how they can improve your life in general.

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5 Basic Rototiller Fixes that will Save you Time and Money

Rototillers are small garden tools used to cultivate the soil in the garden. They are a gas-powered machine that turns difficult soil manageable for planting. They loosen up the soil before planting. Having basic knowledge on how to troubleshoot and fix your rototiller engine will come in handy if ever the machine will break.

There are a few quick fixes you can do to get your broken rototiller up and running. Here are 5 basic fixes to get your rototiller back to tilling:

Problem #1: Rototiller will not start

This is a common problem with rototillers especially when they have not been used for months. The problem might be that the fuel has gone stale or the carburetor is clogged.

Quick Fix: Check the carburetor for blockages by spraying a little amount of carb cleaner to the intake. Then attempt to start the rototiller engine. If it runs for a while and then sputters, then the problem with it is the fuel. You can buy a carburetor cleaner and rebuild kit that are suited for your rototiller model. Rebuilding and cleaning it may take some of your time, but it will be fixed.

Problem #2: Rototiller starts but then sputters out

The sputtering might be because the fuel cap is clogged. This prevents the air in entering its gas tank.

Quick Fix: Loosen up the gas cap and then start the rototiller again. If it stays running, clean it or replace the gas cap. Sometimes the problem might also be because the carburetor is clogged.

Problem #3: Rototiller runs but does not move

If your rototiller is belt-driven, check if the belt for any wears and if tension is in the proper position. Make sure, also, that the idler pulley works. And that also puts enough pressure onto the belt.

Quick Fix: If the belt is really worn or already stretched beyond repair, it is likely to be slipping. The quick fix to this problem is to have the belt replaced and then tension should be adjusted.

Problem #4: The rototiller wheels turn yet the tines aren’t

Most of the rototiller tines aren’t keyed into the shaft. Instead, they are locked and secured to the shaft using a clevis pin. You can put this to the test this by shutting the engines off, taking the spark plug off and then attempting to turn the tines with your hands carefully. If you notice that the shaft turns but the tines don’t, the problem could be that the clevis pin is broken or missing.

Quick Fix: The clevis pin should be replaced. But don’t use a bolt.

Problem #5: The rototiller kinda works but it’s not tilling like before

This problem is most likely because of the the tines, the state of the soil, or sometimes it can be both. Sometimes, it’s the slipping of the drive belt that could be the cause.

Quick Fix: If there are dull, worn off, or bent tines, you can have them replaced quickly. If the problem is the soil because it’s too hard, you can adjust its depth. You can also make many shallow passes to keep your rototiller from overworking.

Home gardeners love their rototillers. They are a great gardening tool that turns cultivates soil quickly. Having rototillers will eliminate the use of spade for digging or hoeing. And they are used in keeping the pathways clean and clear in the growing season. This piece of a gardening tool is also efficient in controlling weeds.

Keep some spare parts in your garage as this will keep your rototiller in top shape. Spare parts like tines, spark plugs, and drive belts can be very useful. Don’t forget to keep tools, cleanup gears, and/or portable generator repair as well. If you follow the basic steps we’ve provided above, you will surely learn how to fix your rototillers. You won’t have the need to spend and waste time and money by having someone over to fix it.

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Celebrate National Picnic Month by Going on a Picnic with the Family

Everybody celebrates Independence Day in July. But, what many people don’t know is that we also celebrate National Picnic Month in July, too! Going for a picnic is an excellent time to embrace nature and breathe in fresh air. It is also a great opportunity to bond with friends, family and loved ones. While a picnic is understood as a simple excursion with meals eaten outdoors, there are some interesting facts about the origin of picnic that not many of us are aware of.

•  The word picnic was taken from the French word “pique nique” which refers to an outdoor meal. The first picnics took place in the Middle Ages when the members of the upper class society would “dine out” or eat their meals outdoors during a hunt.
• The first recorded use of “picnic”, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was in a letter written by Lord Chesterfield to his son in Berlin in 1748. The word picnic here was used in the sense of a social gathering.
• In the early 1800’s, picnic was already being used to refer to a social meal eaten outdoors.

A picnic with family is a great way to spend time

The lovely, warm weather of July gives us another reason to celebrate National Picnic Month.  If you are looking for ideas on how you can celebrate this national holiday, here are some ideas to help you get started.

• Get outside for a BBQ party! Prepare your favorite meats and side dishes like coleslaw and potato salad. Enjoy family bonding time while you grill your BBQ to perfection and dig into the sumptuous outdoor meal together!
•  Have a traditional picnic. Fill a straw picnic basket with your favorite foods and drinks. Find that perfect spot in a park and don’t forget to bring the plaid blanket. Bring some board games or just savor the moment as you celebrate the open air.
• Play some outdoor games. After eating, it’s a perfect time to play some outdoor games. You can throw a Frisbee and play ball games where everybody can join in.

For fun and exciting activities like picnics, safety and health should remain a top priority. Avoid foodborne illnesses and make the most of the National Picnic Month by taking note of the following tips.

Be conscious of the food temperature and time.

Be prepared when going for a picnic

Protect your food from getting spoiled by keeping hot food hot and cold food cold especially when you’re traveling or during your outdoor gatherings.  Bring plenty of ice.

Use a food thermometer.
Make sure that your food is safely cooked by using a food thermometer. Before removing meats, especially whole cuts, from the heat source, measure the internal temperature and make sure that they are cooked to 145 degrees F. Let them sit and allow 3 minute rest time before consuming.

Choose healthy foods for your picnic.
Picnics are all about enjoying delicious foods. But delicious doesn’t have to be unhealthy. You can certainly pack satisfying, yet healthy meals for your picnics. For example, you can add a twist to your traditional sandwiches and vary your bread choices. Try using tortillas, flat breads and whole grain products. Then experiment with fillings instead of sticking to the same old ham and cheese. Incorporate oven roasted vegetables such as tomatoes and eggplants to make it healthier.

Bring more non perishable foods.
Limit the number of your perishable foods and bring more non-perishable foods. Aside from your salads and sandwiches, you can bring pretzels, oatmeal cookies, or baked potato chips. Other snacks like nuts and sunflower seeds are also excellent food choices.

Keep it clean.
Avoid food contamination by keeping everything clean and sanitary – from the food handling to preparation and packing. Don’t forget to wash your hands before and after handling food. Make sure that all utensils are clean. Don’t use the same utensils for raw and cooked food to avoid transfer of harmful bacteria.  Also bring paper towels, disposable cloths and clean water for cleaning hands and surfaces before and after eating at your picnic venue.

July is a perfect time to take vacations and spend more time outdoors. Make the most of the beautiful weather and celebrate National Picnic Month with your family!

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Top 8 Portable Generator Maintenance Tips

Maintain your generator to keep it working well

A portable generator is an incredibly powerful investment and serves several important purposes. These range from domestic and recreational and even for trade and industrial. It is a go-to solution in case of a power outage. It also acts as a safety valve when traveling or in times of emergency. It is important to maintain it properly so that it remains reliable whenever you need it. The following are some important portable generator maintenance tips. These should help you increase your machine’s longevity.

Use fresh oil

Changing the oil is a key factor in maintaining your small engine power equipment. Most generators require their first oil change within 25 to 30 hours after its first use. After the first oil change, the next ones should be after every 100 hours of use or at least once every season. Make sure to use fresh oil every time. It is also better to store oil and filter supplies. You’ll be better prepared for unexpected, extended power outages.

Invest in a cover or enclosure

A cover or an enclosure would be a sound investment if you have a portable generator. This will help protect your equipment from wind, rain, bugs, dirt and dust particles. You have to keep these elements from getting inside or forming a layer on any part of your generator. They may cause damage and affect its performance. When you invest in a generator cover, make sure that it leaves enough space for easy handling and release of toxic gases.

Run your generator on a regular basis

Like any other machine, a portable generator is built to be used. Leaving it unused for a long time may lead to malfunction and rust. Generator manufacturers encourage owners to run their generator on a regular basis. Do it for at least half an hour as this will ensure that the battery of the electric starter is charged. Doing this helps avoid any issues related to an ineffective engine. It will guarantee a smooth operation.

Lubricate

Make it a habit to check the engine oil of your generator before shutting it down. Do this at regular intervals.  Drain the oil in the upper portions of the engine into the crankcase. Take note of the oil viscosity as well as the oil classification. Also make sure to keep the oil level as near as possible to the full mark.

Let the engine cool down

Make sure to let the engine of the portable generator cool down every after use. Do it by removing the radiator cap. You may also opt to add coolant until the level reaches about three-fourths inch. Also clean the exterior of the machine and get rid of any obstructions. Remove dust particles and dirt using a cloth. Check coolant level on a regular basis.

Inspect batteries

One of the reasons why generators fail is because of dead or weak batteries. Make sure your batteries are always fully charged and working well. This will ensure that your portable generator is working when you need it most. Do a regular inspection of the batteries to keep your machine well-maintained.

Drain old fuel

Drain your generator of old fuel before using it

Fuel storage is another top consideration when you have a portable generator. If you haven’t used your generator for a while and it is still filled with old fuel, make sure to drain the old fuel before your next use. Old fuel can get contaminated and may cause damage to your generator.

Do not let it run dry

Make sure your generator does not run out of fuel. When it runs out of gas, chances are your home appliances will draw the magnetic field of your generator as soon as the power stops. This may lead to a serious damage to your machine.

Owning a portable generator can make our lives convenient especially during emergencies. So make sure your machine is safe and secure by following these maintenance tips. If all else fails and you need reliable portable generator repair services, please contact Greg’s Small Engine.

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5 Ways To Boost Your Business While Exploring The Great Outdoors This National Great Outdoors Month

June is National Great Outdoors Month! Don’t miss out on the opportunities this has to offer you and your business.  With a little bit of strategic planning, your business can on its way to generate additional revenue while enjoying the Great American Outdoors.

Here are some tips for you to go by this month-long celebration of the great outdoors:

1.       Promote your business

There’s nothing wrong promoting your local small business while enjoying the natural environment.  In fact, running a business and promoting environmental protection can work hand in hand.

If you run a local restaurant, put out some displays about the scenic beauties surrounding your business.  Do you have a door-to-door delivery business? Print some extra fliers promoting the nearby outdoor activity in your state (don’t forget to include your business logo).

Do you see tourists flocking to your state?  Make sure you have items such as pens with your logo to give away so they’ll remember your store while enjoying outdoor activities near you.

There are many ways to slant National Great Outdoors Month to your business’ favor.  All you need to do is to get those creative juice flowing and occasionally woo the “muse” to give you bright business ideas.

2.    Teambuilding for your staff

Want to enjoy the Great American Outdoors during work hours? What better way to do it than to enjoy each moment with your employees!

Taking your staff outdoors can rejuvenate them after months of stressful work.  There are plenty of group activities to choose from:

•         Boating
•         Camping
•         Fishing
•         Hiking
•         Stewardship

Regardless of the activity your team engages in, the outdoor experience will bring your employees closer together.  Plan ahead and think of activities that will help your staff take a little bit of recreational rest and get their pent-up energy out in the open.

Have them wear your company t-shirt or windbreakers while doing activities.  This adds visibility to your company and makes others in the area know your company exists.  Extra eyeball advertisement for your brand will surely help drive your business forward.

3.       Increase your staff’s productivity

Are you having trouble increasing your staff’s productivity?

This is related to #2. Enjoying the great outdoors could spell dramatic increases in your employees’ performance.

Why?

People who spend more time enjoying the great outdoors develop a special kind of social skill—they tend to work better in groups.

Do you have staff members who don’t work well together?  Let them indirectly sort things out by putting them in the same team activities!  It may be awkward at first but reminding them that this is a fun activity could cool things down. It could eventually lead to a much more harmonious collaboration among team members.

4.       Health benefits

A sedentary routine is one of the biggest threats to a healthy life.  When you spend majority of your time sitting down in front of a computer, don’t be surprised if you feel pain or get sick more often.

Humans are social beings.  We all began living closely tied to the outdoors hunting for food and later, tilling the soil. But advancements in technology, while extremely beneficial, brought with it several painful changes in our work-life balance.

You can get your health back by simply stepping outside! And what better time to do it than this month!

Climb a mountain with your friends, trek with your employees, go on that fly fishing trip with your dad that you’ve been planning to do for months now but keep putting off.  The health benefits are enormous!

By the way, when we say health benefits, we don’t mean only physical health benefits.  Perhaps you’ve been looking inward for so long now and it’s time to look outward. Being outdoors helps reestablish the balance you need and want for your mental state.

There are so many benefits the Great American Outdoors can give you. One of the best benefits? You get to take control of your health back.

5.       Care for the environment

With all the talk of global warming and climate change, you and your business can make positive impacts on the environment. Take the time to show the world that you care about the environment.

Give out small notes to tourists to remind them to “clean-as -they-go” once they’re done with their recreational activities.  (Don’t forget to include your business logo in your notes.) Or you can give them quick guides on how to be safe on their trip or an easy local number to call in case of emergencies.  (Again, don’t forget your business logo.)

These reminders, though not earth-shaking, can leave a small but positive impact on the environment.

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5 Tips for Pressure Washer Pump Maintenance

Pressure washing has become a popular method of cleaning a wide variety of surfaces, not only at homes and residential units but also in commercial and industrial locations.

A pressure washer is an excellent tool used to quickly and efficiently remove all types of dirt and stains, and maintain the look of property or space. It has several different applications, too. From patios, sidewalks, home exteriors, cars and other surfaces, pressure washing is an ideal method that applies to various cleaning contexts.

Because a pressure washer is powerful enough to do a lot of cleaning in only a fraction of the time, it’s only fair to give this tool the care it deserves.

Proper pressure washer pump maintenance can keep the machine running smoothly. It can also prolong its life. Here are some helpful tips to follow for maintaining your pressure washer pump.

Steer clear of contaminants

Contaminants are things which clog the pump valves and will create significant pressure inside the pump. And too much pressure in the pump can be dangerous. The first step to removing the contaminants from the water tank is by preparing the tank for use. Remove the wands and any other attachments from the spray gun and turn on the water supply. Hold the spray gun until the water streams steadily and do it for at least two minutes.

Change the oil every month

To keep the pump running smoothly, make sure to change the oil in the pressure washer regularly. Just like in a car, it is the oil in the power washer pump which keeps its parts moving without friction.

Over time, the debris collected from circulated oil thickens the oil. This results in a more heavy usage. For a smooth running pressure washer, make it a habit to change the oil on a monthly basis.

To change the oil, remove the oil cap with the use of an Allen wrench. Pour all the used oil into a separate container and see if it has bubbles or is off-white in color. The presence of bubbles may imply water leaks or a blown seal. After collecting the used oil, refill the washer with new oil.

Don’t allow it to run dry

Water keeps the engine from overheating, so make sure you never let your pump run dry. Make sure it always has water. Running it dry will burn out your pump in just a matter of minutes.

Make it a habit to check the tank and fill it with water before using the pump.  When you starve your pressure washer pump of water, it will suck in more air, causing the pump to burn up.

Also, check the hoses and make sure there are no cleanliness or filtering issues that could be affecting the water supply. It’s a lot easier to do these things than to pay for or repair a pump that has burnt up.

Lubricate pressure washer hose connectors

The hose connectors in a power washer pump can easily tear because they get twisted every now and then. This causes them to fail in the long run. While oil is a good lubricant, it washes off when it gets wet. It would be better to use plumber’s grease instead. When your connectors look dry, make sure to apply a new coating.

Use cleaning fluids designed for power washers

To make sure your power washer lasts longer, only use cleaning fluids specifically designed for power washers. General purpose cleaning liquids and soaps may cause damage and even destroy your pump. Make sure you’re using the right soaps because they may not do the job well or they might cause discoloration on your alloy wheels.

It is always best to use the recommended products for your pump. They may cost a bit more but are specially created to work with your machine. Take time to brush surfaces and rinse it well. Also, don’t forget to run clear water through the pump before you turn it off.

Proper maintenance of your pressure washer pump is an excellent way to increase its longevity. However, because power washers are still a machine, breakdowns are inevitable. When there comes a time when you need quality pressure washer repair services, get in touch with the experts – Greg’s Small Engine.

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