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Generators, camping equipment hot items
Ice, power outages create demand for generators
Date published: 2/16/2007

By KELLY HANNON

Generators and camping gear are in demand after an ice storm caused 42,000 households in the Fredericksburg area to lose electricity this week.

"I've seen some more traffic in generators and general camping equipment--lanterns and stoves and propane heaters," said Gander Mountain camping manager William Grothe.

Those goods sell well year-round, but Grothe has noticed a slight uptick as people gathered supplies to stay warm.

There are plenty more for people who still need them, Grothe said.

Finding generators has posed a problem at some stores, which have sold out.

But Gander Mountain on State Route 3 in Spotsylvania, Earl's True Value Hardware on Chatham Heights Road in southern Stafford and Lowe's Home Improvement on State Route 610 in North Stafford reported having generators in stock yesterday. Of course, people could have snapped them up by press time, so shoppers may want to call before hitting the road.

Dominion Virginia Power also sells generators and generator maintenance plans. Anyone can buy one, not just Dominion customers. For more information, visit their Web site, dom.com, and click on "Products," or call Dominion at 877/796-0963.

Traditional snow supplies are selling briskly, too.

"We've seen an enormous amount of people coming in for basically ice melt and road salt, and things like that," said George Ritchie, manager of Earl's True Value. "We've sold a couple of generators and I still have a few on hand." Snow shovels have stayed on the shelf because of the thick, icy coating on the ground, he said.

Earl's True Value was out of space heaters yesterday, but Ritchie said a few are expected to arrive in a shipment late today.

Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436
Email: khannon@freelancestar.com


Generator safety tips Don't connect your generator directly to your home's wiring.

Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet.

Never use a generator indoors or inside an attached garage. They emit deadly carbon monoxide. Make sure you place yours where exhaust fumes will not enter the house.

Do not try to refuel a generator while it's running

Turn off all equipment powered by your generator before shutting down the generator.

Source: Dominion Virginia Power



Date published: 2/16/2007



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