The 411 on Ice Melting Products:

With all the ice melting products on the market, things can get confusing as to what to use. Here is a basic listing of products we carry at Benson’s and what they do:

ROCK SALT: Rock salt is the mineral form of sodium chloride, otherwise known as table salt. You may also hear rock salt referred to as “halite,” especially when it is used industrially. It melts at 14°F to 20°F. It will not harm carpets or floors, but can damage vegetation. This is often mixed with sand and spread for traction.

CALCIUM CHLORIDE PELLETS/FLAKES: CaCl2, is a salt of calcium and chlorine. An Instant ice melter, it heats through ice on contact and melts effectively below 0° and as low as -25°. This product is thought to be gentler on vegetation, lawns, concrete and asphalt. Should be kept in a dry place and gloves should be warn when handling because it can be an irritant to moist skin.

SAFE STEP ICE MELTER: A mix of Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Urea and Mg-104, it melts down to 0°F and won’t harm carpets or flooring. It is non-tracking, safe to handle and Pet Safe when used as directed. It will not harm vegetation or concrete older than 1 year.

ROOF MELT: Made of Calcium Chloride and Boric Acid. Helps prevent damage from roof Ice Dams. Tablets melt through Ice Dams, allowing water to drain safely. One (1) tablet treats approximately 1 square foot of problem area. Safe for all roof types.

Emergency Generator Safety

If you own a back-up generator to supply your home or business with power during an outage, it is critical for your safety and the safety of our employees that your equipment is properly installed. Improperly installed generators can cause fires and feed electricity back into the power line, endangering the lives of your neighbors, the public and PSNH line workers.

1. It is a requirement that a transfer switch be installed to prevent back feeding electricity into the PSNH system. A transfer switch ensures that the PSNH power supply coming into your home or business is disconnected before you connect and operate your generator. Likewise, when returning to PSNH services, a transfer switch will make sure your generator is disconnected before reconnecting to the PSNH supply. Please consult with a licensed electrician regarding the installation of an appropriate transfer switch.
2. Never Operate generators inside of a home, garage, basement, crawl space, carport, enclosed/partially enclosed space, or near doors and windows
3. Store fuel for generators in properly labeled containers kept away from living areas and fuel-burning appliances
4. Carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup should be used in nearby enclosed spaces to monitor levels.
5. Make sure that extension cords used with generators are rated for the load, are free of cuts or worn insulation, have three prongs and preferably one with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)