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Energy Efficiency
Tips...

Seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.

Air sealing will not just reduce energy costs; it will also improve your home's comfort and durability.

Safety Tips

General Electrical Safety

Never touch a downed power line. Call your electric co-op to report it immediately. Avoid contact with overhead lines during cleanup and other activities. Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged.

If water has risen above the electrical outlets in your home, contact a licensed electrician before turning on your main circuit breaker. Outlets and wiring that have come in contact with water could present a fire and shock hazard.

Allow all electrical appliance and electronic equipment, once submerged, to dry thoroughly. Have them checked by a qualified repair person before turning them on.

Look for and replace damaged extension and appliance cords, loose prongs, or plugs.

Lightning

Summertime is the peak season for one of nature’s deadliest weather phenomena-lightning. According to the National Weather Service, during the past 30 years, approximately 67 people in the United States are killed each year, which is more than the average of people killed annually by tornadoes or hurricanes.

No place is absolutely safe from lightning; however some are safer than others. Following safety guidelines can greatly reduce the risk of injury or death from a lightning strike.

• When indoors, avoid using the telephone, (cord or cordless), taking a shower (metal pipes can conduct electricity), doing the dishes or contact with conductive surfaces with exposure to the outside such as metal doors or window frames, electrical wiring, telephone wiring, cable T.V. wiring, plumbing, etc.

 

• Unplug all electrical equipment before the storm reaches your home, but do not unplug the equipment while the storm is active in your area. Only turning off the equipment will not protect it from a lightning strike. Also unplug any internet cables that are connected into the walls.

 

• Stay away from the windows and pull the shades if available, this will help keep the glass from flying into the room if the window should break.

 

• If you need to make an emergency phone call, use a cell phone if accessible.

 

• If you are caught inside a vehicle, roll the windows up and try not to make contact with the metal or other conducting surfaces of the vehicle.

 

• Should you be caught outside in a lightning storm, avoid being in or near high places and open fields, isolated trees, bleachers, flagpoles, golf carts and open water. Keep at least 15 feet away from other people. Use the shelter of the shortest trees if you are caught in a forest, lightning will strike the tallest objects first normally. If you have no protection available, stay as low to the ground as possible and curl into the smallest position possible and cover your ears to protect your hearing.

Remember, lightning can strike up to a distance of 10 miles in front of the storm, so be prepared and plan ahead, keep track of local storms on the radio or television.