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Briggs & Stratton offers tips on enduring upcoming spring storm season

Successful tips to help homeowners manage power during an outage

MILWAUKEE, JAN. 25, 2010 – With the spring storm season right around the corner, homeowners are encouraged to develop a plan for their families and homes. GE, a world leader in power innovation, has introduced a new line of automatic standby generator systems from Briggs & Stratton Corporation, the exclusive licensee for GE-branded Standby Generator Systems, which offer affordable solutions to keep the power on under adverse circumstances.

“A Standby Generator by GE is a reliable solution to ensure that families and homes are kept comfortable and safe throughout the year,” said Michael Betker, marketing manager for Briggs & Stratton Corporation. “The unique computer controlled system allows consumers to use power throughout their home more efficiently, so life can continue as uninterrupted as possible until utility power is restored.”

Automatic standby generators operate on either natural gas or liquid propane and are wired into a home’s circuit box to turn on when a power outage is sensed. Consumers can resume as many day-to-day activities as possible until utility power is restored.

The New York State Department of Public Service found that the average U.S. consumer experiences more than five power outages a year. Betker says that homeowners should have basic supplies on hand such as flashlights, hand cranked radios, blankets, bottled water, manual can opener, canned foods, matches, candles, first-aid kit and batteries.

“Homeowners should be prepared to lose power for a significant amount of time,” said Betker. “Food in the refrigerator can start to spoil in less than 24 hours and basements can flood in minutes, which are only a few of the problems that can be avoided by having back up power for your home.”

Briggs & Stratton also recommends the following tips to ensure a safe power outage for those without generators:

• Turn your refrigerator/freezer to the coldest settings.
• Identify the most insulated room in your house to gather to stay cool/warm.
• Have blankets and cardboard handy to cover windows to prevent sun/draft.
• Once the power comes back on, turn down the thermostat and turn off the circuit breaker for the water heater to reduce high demand for electricity. This will help prevent an overload.
• Leave one light on to alert you as soon as electricity is restored.
• Learn how to manually override an electric garage door.
• Use a surge protector to prevent damage to electrical items such as computer, TV, stereo, etc.

Introduced to the market at the 2009 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, Standby Generators by GE consume up to a third less fuel than competitive systems and are available in sizes ranging from 7kW for small and medium size homes to 45kW to handle the higher power demands of most luxury homes. Homeowners can visit www.ge.com/generatorsystems to explore GE’s easy-to-use guide to determine their power use and standby generator needs.

With prices starting at under $2,900, Standby Generators by GE are available exclusively through Home Depot or through its national network of dealers. Visit www.ge.com/generatorsystems for more information.

About Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Briggs & Stratton Corporation is the world’s largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group LLC, is North America’s number one manufacturer of portable generators and pressure washers, and is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of lawn and garden and turf care through its wholly owned subsidiary Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group LLC and its Simplicity®, Snapper®, Ferris® and Murray® brands. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in over 100 countries on six continents.

Contact:
Mary Christine
(414) 247-2108
mchristine@bvk.com

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