H T WATTS
Lineworker Appreciation Day is April 18
April 18 is Lineworker Appreciation Day and we want to recognize our fantastic crew at Cookson Hills Electric as a token of appreciation for the dedication they show each and every day.
Lineworkers serve on the frontlines of our energy grid to help serve our members by keeping the lights on. They answer the 2 a.m. phone calls and go out into the clapping thunder, freezing rain and strong winds determined to do whatever it takes to restore power to our homes and businesses. They miss important events such as birthdays, ballgames and holidays so the rest of us have power.
We are grateful for the work they perform and ask you to give them a wave or a “thank you” if you happen to see them out and about quietly working to keep the lights on.
CHEC offices will be closed Friday, April 7, in observance of Good Friday. Emergency personnel will be on standby in the case of a power outage.
Stay away from downed power lines
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Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Headquarters Office
PO Box 539 • 1002 E. Main Stigler, OK 74462 • 800-328-2368
Branch Office
PO Box 587 • 1800 KOA/Power Drive Sallisaw, OK 74955 • 918-775-2211
Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-678-1937 www.cooksonhills.com
Alternate Emergency Only: 918-552-0016
Storm Season is Upon Us
Beware of dangers caused by downed power lines
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Joe Ogle, President District 6
Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President District 1
Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer District 7
Dan Callahan, Trustee District 2
John Dillard, Trustee District 3
Dart Drummonds, Trustee District 4
Mike Rose, Trustee District 5
STAFF
Juli Orme, General Manager
Chris Morris, Chief Financial Officer
Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations — Stigler
Marty Huff, Director of Operations — Sallisaw
Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services
Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services
Rockey Oldham, Manager of Broadband Services
Jeremy Stubblefield, Chief Technology Officer
Brad Martin, Director of Member/Public Relations and Economic Development
Dallin Shaw, Director of Engineering
Russell V. Barber, General Counsel
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. welcomes members to submit photos, and articles which will be subject to editing. Cookson Hills reserves the right to publish or modify any article. Companies and individuals featured in the Hot Watts newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or view of Cookson Hills.
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
If you find your account number hidden in this issue of the Hot Watts, you’ll receive a $25 credit on your electric bill.
With the warmer months ahead, we experience a greater threat of severe weather in Oklahoma. Lightning, hail, strong winds, and even tornadoes are not uncommon in this region of Oklahoma. These weather events can lead to power outages as a result of downed trees, lightning strikes to power equipment, and even power poles being blown over. [3178600]
Preparation and planning can help minimize the stress and dangers that sometimes come with these storms. Safety is a top priority at Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, so we want to remind everyone to never approach a low-hanging or downed powerline. These lines may look harmless but could be energized and can cause serious injury or death when contacted.
If you see a downed line, call us at 800-328-2368 or call 911 immediately to report the location. Please be specific when you provide the location of the downed line to help ensure safety personnel reaches the correct location as soon as possible to resolve the issue.
These tips can help you stay safe
around downed lines:
• If you see a downed power line, move away from the line and anything touching it.
• The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This will minimize the potential for a strong electric shock. Electricity wants to move from a highvoltage zone to a low-voltage one—and it could do that through your body.
• If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Call 911 instead.
• If you must leave your vehicle because it’s on fire, jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid making contact with the energized vehicle and the ground at the same time. This way you avoid being the path of electricity from the vehicle to the earth.
Always assume a downed power line is energized. Downed lines can energize the ground up to 35 feet away. STAY BACK. STAY SAFE.
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