TURF INDUSTRY NEWS
OPEI Offers 10 Tips for Safer Winter Generator Usage “Not having power when you need it is frustrating, so a generator can provide emergency backup power at a reasonable cost,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI. “It’s important to follow all manufacturer’s instructions, and never place a generator in your garage or inside your home or building. It should be a safe distance from the structure and not near an air intake.” More tips include:
1 - Take stock of your generator. Make sure equipment is in good working order before starting and using it. Do this before a storm hits.
2 – Review the directions. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Review the owner’s manuals (look manuals up online if you cannot find them) so equipment is operated safely.
3 - Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in your home. Tis alarm will sound if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide enter the building.
4 - Have the right fuel on hand. Use the type of fuel recommended by the generator manufacturer to protect this important investment. It is illegal to use any fuel with more than 10% ethanol in outdoor power equipment.
5 - Ensure portable generators have plenty of ventilation. Generators should NEVER be used in an enclosed area or placed inside a home, a building, or a garage, even if the windows or doors are open. Place the generator outside and away from windows, doors, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to drift indoors.
6 - Keep the generator dry. Do not use a generator in wet conditions. Cover and vent a generator. Model-specific tents or generator covers can be found online for purchase and at home centers and hardware stores.
7 - Only add fuel to a cool generator. Before refueling, turn the generator off and let it cool down.
8 - Plug in safely. If you don’t yet have a transfer switch, you can use the outlets on the generator. It’s best to plug in appliances directly to the generator. If you must use an extension cord, it should be heavy-duty and designed for outdoor use. It should be rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. Make sure the cord is free of cuts, and the plug has all three prongs.
9 - Install a transfer switch. A transfer switch connects the generator to the circuit panel and lets you power hardwired appliances. Most transfer switches also help avoid overload by displaying wattage usage levels.
10 - Do not use the generator to “backfeed” power into your home electrical system. Trying to power your home’s electrical wiring by “backfeeding” – where you plug the generator into a wall outlet – is dangerous. You could hurt utility workers and neighbors served by the same transformer. Backfeeding bypasses built-in circuit protection devices, so you could damage your electronics or start an electrical fire.
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Project Evergreen Seeking Volunteers for SnowCare for Troops Project EverGreen’s SnowCare for Troops provide complimentary snow and ice removal services for the families of currently deployed military personnel. Tese complimentary services are provided to eligible families in need to provide a helping hand to our military at a time they need it most. Military families are faced with a lot of challenges when their loved one is deployed with the Armed Forces. Work, school, children…the list goes on. Tis nationwide program is made possible because of the generosity of volunteers and sponsors who want to give back to our nation’s heroes for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of all Americans. If you would like to volunteer in your area or find out more about the program, go to
https://ProjectEvergreen.org
Growers and Other Stakeholders Urged to Support Glyphosate According to an article shared in NALP’s the Advocate and originally appearing on
Croplife.com, the battle over glyphosate goes far deeper than questions about its safety. Tis was made clear during a special briefing on glyphosate held by Bayer in Dusseldorf, Germany, in September. Bill Reeves, Regulatory Policy and Scientific Affairs Manager for Bayer, told attendees, the war on glyphosate in Europe goes deeper than just distrust of an herbicide. “Tis is a political molecule,” said Reeves. “It’s not only a symbol of Monsanto, it’s a symbol of modern agriculture. In the U.S., it’s become a way to drive concerns among consumers about GMO [genetically-modified organism] use. Consumers may not fully understand what GMOs are, but when you bring up the chemicals used to grow them, in this case, glyphosate, that’s an attention-grabbing ploy that has worked.” Another speaker, Guy Smith, Deputy Director of the National Farmers Union in the United Kingdom and a grower, agreed with this view. “Tis is all about GMOs,” said Smith. “Glyphosate is a political molecule, and it’s being attacked to keep GMOs out of Europe. It’s amazing to me that other more dangerous chemicals, which are more harmful in smaller doses, don’t come under the same scrutiny that glyphosate has.” Across Europe, Smith said he has encouraged all the groups interested in protecting glyphosate—the companies that produce it, scientists who have studied its safety, and the growers themselves—to speak out in its defense. “It’s important that farmers demonstrate that they are using pesticides professionally,” said Smith. “Routine use of glyphosate pre- harvest, just in case, is bad farming. Farmers should always have sound agronomic advice before using any product.” Smith added that the fight to protect glyphosate use must be a priority, on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and across the globe. “If we lost glyphosate, we would lose the battle against many, many weeds,” he warned. “We must take the campaign against glyphosate seriously because if we end up having it banned, anything we use in farming could end up being banned.” Te complete article can be found at
https://www.croplife.com/ crop-inputs/the-u-s-battle-over-glyphosate-has-old-world-roots/
TPI Turf News January/February 2019
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