Storm Safety Tips to Protect Your Family
With ever-changing weather patterns, from snow in Texas and extreme heat in Oregon, it is always good to have a plan before unpredicted weather arrives.
Spring, summer and fall all come with the opportunity for severe storm threats. Depending on where you live, those threats come in the form of tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and a phenomenon called a derecho, producing winds that can reach over 100 miles per hour. Iowa experienced a devastating derecho in August of 2020 that left 400,000 without power for weeks.
Winter storms produce strong winds, heavy snow and ice that can take power lines down, resulting in the loss of electricity for hours or several days. Combined with the extreme cold that often accompanies winter storms, not having a plan in place could put your family at great risk.
Planning ahead will give you peace of mind that your family will know what to do when storms hit. In the case of floods and hurricanes, follow the directions of your local Emergency Management Teams and seek shelter. Here are some precautions to consider for your home.
- Make sure all phones are charged and you have extra batteries for radios, flashlights and lanterns.
- Always have an extra supply of water. Before and after storms hit, water shortages are very common.
- Keep a stock of nonperishable foods in your pantry.
- Consider the individual needs of each family member, including medications and plan ahead.
- Make sure you have extra blankets, coats, mittens and warm hats accessible for your family.
The above is just a short list of precautions. Where you live and your family’s unique needs should be considered as you make your plans. For those who cannot be without power for any length of time, you may want to consider investing in a generator.
Generators are available in many sizes and price ranges. The size of a generator is measured in wattages and that is what you will use to determine what you can safely power with the generator you choose.
Mi-T-M manufactures a wide range of inverter and portable generators. Inverter generators offer clean power for sensitive equipment such as cell phones, laptops and medical equipment. Portable generators can not only be used as a backup generator when you lose power, but are most found in commercial and industrial construction settings. All generators manufactured by Mi-T-M are gas or diesel powered and therefore cannot be used indoors. Although, many come with a built-in CO detector and automatic shutdown, no generator should ever be used indoors. Make sure they are always running in a well-ventilated area.
To help you determine which size generator is best for your needs check out this reference guide.
Those who not only lose power, but are also subjected to extreme cold, may want to also consider investing in a propane or kerosene portable heater. Mi-T-M manufactures a full line of forced air and radiant heaters that can be essential if a winter storm not only knocks out power, but leaves you stranded because of huge snowfalls and ice accumulations. Because of the danger of carbon monoxide build up, never operate these portable heaters indoors or without proper ventilation.
Extreme weather is usually unpredictable and hopefully these tips will help you prepare for whatever comes your way. If you find yourself in the market for a Mi-T-M generator or portable heater, contact our sales support team at 800-553-9053 or find a dealer near you, and they can help you find the best solution for your needs.
Should You Get a Kerosene or Propane Portable Heater?
Kerosene or Propane Portable Heater
If you spend a lot of time outdoors or working in your garage or workshop, you know sometimes the temperatures can be unfavorable. This is where propane and kerosene heaters from Mi-T-M come in handy to keep you warm all year round. With dozens of portable heaters to choose from, it may be hard to decide which is right for you. This article will help you understand the difference of kerosene vs propane heaters.
As you begin shopping, here are 4 questions you should ask yourself before making a purchase:
- Firstly, you need to decide where and when will you use the heater. We recommend different models for different uses. In a ventilated garage or on a worksite where you would need a propane heater indoors, you might prefer a kerosene forced air model. For dinner parties on the deck, try our outdoor patio heater.
- Secondly, do you prefer a kerosene or propane model? Kerosene is combustible, burns strongly and offers a strong amount of heat. By contrast, propane burns cleaner and tanks can easily be found at most gas stations and grocery stores.
- How long will you need to run the heater? A propane model running off a 20-pound propane cylinder set at low will last for up to 72 hours and set at high will last for 24 hours, depending on the model. However, if you just need some warmth while you’re in your garage, you might prefer a kerosene forced air heater.
- Will you need to carry the heater long distances? If so, you will need to consider the weight and wheel kit of each model. Many units already feature wheel kits for portability, so make sure to consider how far you will need to transport your heater to and from jobsites and work areas.
Portable Kerosene Heaters
The heat from our models of kerosene heaters—measured in British thermal units (BTU’s)—range from 75,000 up to 600,000 BTU’s per gallon. Mi-T-M’s kerosene air heaters provide dependable heat for large ventilated areas up to 15,000 square feet. They feature built-in temperature control and sure start ignition.
Portable Propane Heaters
Mi-T-M propane heaters offer 40,000 up to 375,000 BTU’s per gallon. Mi-T-M’s propane heaters are lightweight, portable and ideal for drying and heating well ventilated workspaces. Mi-T-M offers several options of propane heaters, including forced air propane heaters that are perfect for jobsites, propane tank-top radiant with variable heat controls, propane radiant outdoor patio heater and our propane cabinet utility heater. Just add a propane cylinder, plug in your heater and stay comfortable in cold temperatures.
Portable heaters can be used in a variety of situations and locations – for emergency power outages, to heat outdoor events, in ventilated garages and work areas, on construction sites and much more. Wherever and whenever you need warmth, a portable heater is the perfect solution.
For more information on Mi-T-M heaters, frequently asked questions, videos and more, visit our heaters page.
For questions and to purchase a Mi-T-M heater, call or visit your local Mi-T-M dealer.
The Mi-T-M Holiday Gift Guide
The holidays are quickly approaching, which means you need to wrap up your holiday shopping to ensure you have the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Surprise a partner, parent, sibling or friend with a product from our holiday gift guide, or help them upgrade to a newer model.
The following guide is intended to give you information necessary to make the best purchasing decision possible. Take a moment to learn about the many benefits of purchasing a Mi-T-M product.
Pressure Washers:
We take pride in owning nice things, but cleaning and maintaining them is sometimes a pain. One of the most enjoyable cleaning methods around any home is with a pressure washer! Pressure washers make tough cleaning jobs easy by blasting away grease, dirt and grime quickly and efficiently.Pressure washers can be used around the home on siding, sidewalks, garage floors, driveways, decks, playhouses and much more. Using a pressure washer to clean will help to breathe life back into a variety of surfaces, giving your home a newer and cleaner feel.
Pressure washers come in a variety of styles, as well as electric or gas powered. If there are cleaning jobs to take care of indoors, the electric pressure washer is the best option as it is exhaust-free. If you’re looking for something that travels well, you’ll want to look into the hand-carry and portable units.
If the recipient of the gift already has a pressure washer, maybe now is a great time to upgrade their unit. Mi-T-M products are built to perform and built to last. Many businesses offer great incentives on certain products, so keep an eye open for your opportunity to purchase an upgrade at a store near you.
Generators:
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you’ve been wanting or needing, but haven’t gotten around to purchasing quite yet. An item that nearly everyone could use is a generator. A generator is perfect for home, camping or other recreational activities enjoyed throughout the year. You’ll be faced with two main options when looking for generators: traditional generators and inverter generators.
Inverter generators are much quieter than traditional generators. Mi-T-M ’s new line of inverters are equipped with carbon monoxide detection and automatic shut-off if CO levels become unsafe. They feature inverter technology and provide reliable clean power for sensitive electronics.
Generators are great for recreational use, such as powering lights and TVs at a tailgate, as well as emergency back-up power. Mi-T-M generators are powerful enough to act as a backup power source in case a home’s electricity ever goes out.
These handy generators are easily transportable.
The Mi-T-M ChoreMaster Series is a great option if you think the recipient would use it as both a recreational and emergency tool.
Air Compressors:
Everyone enjoys convenience, and that is exactly what Mi-T-M air compressors provide. Whomever you purchase an air compressor for, will most likely have many uses for it beyond simply filling up a tire. Whether it’s for construction, auto maintenance, cleaning, etc. an air compressor is a great addition to any workshop or garage.
There are a variety of air compressors that meet a wide range of needs. Mi-T-M air compressors are available in portable and hand-carry models and the tanks can range in size from 3 to 120-gallons. The most important part of choosing an air compressor is knowing whether it will be used indoors or outdoors. An electric compressor can be safely used inside and out, as opposed to a gas compressor that should only be used outside and in well-ventilated areas. To get expert advice on which compressor best fits your recipient’s needs, contact a Mi-T-M dealer near you.
Propane Patio Heaters:
Give the gift of quality time spent with family and friends under the warm glow of a Mi-T-M propane patio heater. These amazing heaters stand upright as a decorative piece and distribute heat evenly around your space, warming a 290 sq. ft. radius and providing the right amount of comfort. This heater works well throughout the year and is a great way to help the recipient enjoy the outdoors and entertain guests, even in chilly temperatures.
Propane Cabinet Heaters:
What hunter, do-it-yourselfer or woodworker wouldn’t love to be able to work and stay warm this winter? The propane cabinet utility heater provides portable heat for any ventilated workshop, shed, jobsite or garage. The rolling casters make it easy to move across the shop floor. Fueled by a 20-lb propane cylinder (not included), hunters can use it to warm up in the woods, too. Clean, quiet and wind resistant, this propane heater will keep those around it warm, even when temperatures are low.
Accessories:
If you’re looking for stocking-stuffer ideas, consider some of the best equipment accessories available from Mi-T-M . A rotating nozzle or gutter cleaning attachment can seriously boost the cleaning power of a pressure washer. You’ll also find generator covers, air compressor blow guns, air hoses and more! Easy to install and use, our accessories will be a welcomed addition to any unit. Our accessories, like our equipment, are designed and made by leading industry engineers.
If you’re unsure of which piece of equipment will make the perfect gift, simply give us a call to chat with our knowledgeable sales support team or talk with a a dealer to get the expert advice you need. They will help you identify the equipment and models that will best fit any need.