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JUNE 2019 HOME 7 Prepping for outdoor activities safely and efficiently Flag poles are a nice addition to any yard A brand new flag pole is the best way to display pride in your country and for the armed services. There are many different options to choose from that will add beauty to your yard. Popular types ■ Aluminum ■ Fiberglass ■ Stainless steel ■ Steel Installation ■ Generally this is done in a concrete base. The size is based on the height, diameter and weight of the pole. ■ Concrete base is gener- ally four times the diame- ter of the flagpole, and at least 10 percent of the height. ■ You can also mount your flag on your house using an aluminum, fiber- glass, steel or wooden pole. ■ It is best to get a pole with a spinning head to prevent the flag from get- ting wrapped around the pole. Flag half staff dates — (sunrise to sunset) ■ Peace Officers Memori- al Day, May 15, unless that is also Armed Forces Day ■ Memorial Day ■ Patriot Day, Sept. 11 ■ National Firefighters Memorial Day. This is gen- erally a Sunday during Fire Prevention Week. ■ Pearl Harbor Remem- brance Day, Dec. 7 American flag etiquette ■ The American flag dis- played with other flags on the same pole should always be the highest and same size or larger than the rest. ■ If you have multiple poles all flags of the world should be at the same height, and the American flag should fly on its own right. ■ The American flag should always fly in light. If you do not have a spotlight or street light that shines on the American flag at night you should take it down each night. (StatePoint) — From landscaping, to tending the lawn and garden to getting your family's recreational equipment prepped for warm weather, the common denominator is that these activities require fuel to get going. Now is the ideal time of year to make sure equip- ment is properly fueled, and fuel storage containers are in tip-top shape. "Whether it's using a tiller to start a garden or preparing the family boat for the first fishing trip of the year, consumers rely on fuel to jumpstart seasonal activities," said Daniel Marshall, vice president of marketing and business development with Scepter, a manufacturer of North American-made fuel con- tainers. "Gasoline, kero- sene and diesel fuel all link people to projects and activ- ities outside the home. It's important to prepare and use fuel containers both safely and smartly." Here are some things to keep in mind, according to Marshall: Getting started There's nothing more annoying than preparing to cut the lawn and finding there's no gas in the mower and your gas can is empty. If you happen to make this discovery when prepping for a storm or other emer- gency, this situation goes from irritating to distress- ing. Monitor your at-home fuel supply so you're never caught empty-handed. When taking inventory of supplies, consider the age of your fuel. Safely discard older fuel that's been sit- ting unused for many months, as gas components can deteriorate over time. You can better track this by labeling containers. Remember, the fuel you used for winter chores was probably a unique "winter mix" blend. For warm weather chores, get a new "summer mix." Changing fuel seasonally will mean better performance of equipment and help guar- antee a fresh supply. Easy does it Proper fuel storage can help you complete chores quickly, safely and effi- ciently. The key is selecting containers that provide clean, fast and hassle-free pours, such as SmartCon- trol fuel containers from Scepter. Made of high-density polyethylene for rugged durability, these 1-, 2- and 5- gallon containers, available for gasoline, diesel and kerosene, feature an inno- vative spout design that eliminates spills. The user- controlled flow valve makes it easy to direct the amount of fuel being dis- pensed, and because the container stores with the spout on, hands stay clean. Always be safe To protect your house- hold, replace old, rusty and leaking metal fuel contain- ers with models boasting the latest safety standards, including flame mitigation devices (FMDs), as well as child safety caps on the spout, as mandated by cur- rent law. Then, store con- tainers in secure, dry loca- tions away from heat sources, pets and children. "Your best bet is to look at every safety feature when purchasing a new fuel container, ensuring it meets or exceeds industry standards and definitely has an FMD," says Mar- shall. Safe use of fuel is also essential. Never use your fuel container around fire pits, burn piles, barbeques, the fireplace, fire embers or other sources of ignition. Gasoline should never be confused with lighter fluid. One reason this is so dan- gerous, is that when you use gas or other fuels, heavy unseen vapors will surround you as you pour. If this happens near any type of fire or source of ignition, these vapors can explode, which will likely result in serious injury or worse to you or those around you. StatePoint Check you have the right fuel — and enough of it — before starting outdoor maintenance. Installing a flag pole is a way to show support for veterans and pride in your country.

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