Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2025 Snow Thrower Safety Tips: Keep Best Practices in Mind This Winter C learing snow and ice from driveways, sidewalks and parking lots is no small job. You rely on your outdoor power equipment to do the heavy lifting, and it’s important to keep safety in mind. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) reminds home and business owners to use snow throwers, often referred to as snow blowers, safely and offers tips to help. “Weather today is unpredictable. You need to have your snow thrower serviced and ready to power up,” says OPEI President and CEO Kris Kiser. “Review your owner’s manual so you can use your equipment safely.” Kiser says preparation is key and that home and business owners should consider the following: Review the owner’s manual. Check the owner’s manual for safe handling procedures. If the manual cannot be found, look it up online, and store a copy on your computer so it’s available to reference in the future. Review how to operate controls. Be able to shut off equipment quickly. Check equipment. The snow thrower should be powered off when being checked over. Adjust any cables and check the auger. Charge batteries. Locate the batteries for your snow thrower and charge them fully before it snows. Purchase fuel. Be sure to use the correct fuel recommended by the equipment’s manufacturer. For most gasoline-powered snow throwers, that is E10 or less. Often fuel stations are closed after a storm so buy gasoline in advance of storms. Fuel that is more than 30 days old can phase separate and cause operating problems. For more information on fueling properly see www.opei.org/programs/ ethanolwarning Store and use fuel properly. Place gasoline in a proper fuel container and label it with the date purchased and the ethanol content. Store fuel safely and out of the reach of children. Fill the fuel tank outside before starting the engine and while the engine is cold. Never add fuel to a running or hot engine. Clear the area. Snow can sometimes hide objects. Doormats, hoses, balls, toys, boards, wires, and other debris should be removed from areas you intend to clear. When run over by a snow thrower, these objects may harm the machine or people. Dress for winter weather. Locate safety gear now, and place it in an accessible closet or location. Wear safety glasses, gloves and footwear that can handle cold and slippery surfaces when operating the snow thrower. KEY SAFETY TIP: Never put your hands inside the auger or chute. Use a clean out tool to unclog snow or debris from the snow thrower. Your hands should never go inside the auger or chute. Turn OFF the snow thrower if you need to clear a clog. If you need to remove debris or unclog snow, always turn off the snow thrower. Wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop before clearing any clogs or debris. Operate in visible conditions. Never operate the snow thrower without good visibility or light. Aim with care. Never throw snow toward people or cars. Keep children or pets inside and away from your snow thrower when it is operating. Use extreme caution on slopes and hills. Use caution when changing directions on slopes. Do not attempt to clear steep slopes. Know where the cord is. If using an electric powered snow thrower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times. Avoid tripping. BBB Scam Alert: Use caution when searching for weight loss products online T he Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about a troubling trend involving deep-fake videos that promote a weight loss product. Over the course of two months, BBB Scam Tracker received over 170 reports regarding a product called LipoMax, which is marketed as a form of the popular “pink salt trick” on social media. What you’ll learn: Over 47 Years of Excellence! 1978 - 2025 Mid-grade Regular 2.78 3.37 3.53 $3.54 Full Service ULS $2.99 Order online at angelosoil.com Kerosene Now Available! • How scammers use AI-generated deepfake videos of celebrities and doctors to market weight loss products like LipoMax • Real consumer experiences, including reports of fake endorsements, improper billing, poor product quality and pressure to buy more supplements • Steps you can take to protect yourself from weight loss scams, including spotting misleading ads, avoiding subscription traps and reporting suspicious activity Reports describe how fake videos were used to sell the supplement. Consumers reported seeing deep-fake videos of celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey, as well as alleged physicians, endorsing the product on social media. Reports have been received from the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin. A consumer from Illinois told BBB‘s Scam Tracker: “I was on Facebook and noticed a video with Oprah Winfrey and a doctor speaking of the ‘pink salt trick diet’. Oprah herself talked about the magnifi cent results as did others on the video. Oprah also claimed she funded the project to manufacture the LipoMax product (pink salt trick). I fi gured Oprah-this must be legit. Over $400 after ordering the prodBBB Scam Alert | SEE Page 9 FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
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