Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)
News for members of Electric Cooperatives in Mississippi
4 Smith Countian’s dream of log cabin living
14 Southern dishes
get Mexican makeover
18 Find something fun to do in Mississippi Events
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Today in Mississippi
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May 2018
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF MISSISSIPPI
Electric cooperatives remind members to plug into safety In May, electric cooperatives across the country promote safety awareness to coincide with National Electrical Safety Month. Every year, thousands of accidents occur due to shock hazards. Electric cooperatives are committed to educating the public about potential electrical dangers in the home. In 2016, 475,500 structure fires (including residential fires) were reported in the U.S., causing 2,950 deaths, 12,775 injuries and $7.9 billion in property damage.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, a residential fire was reported every 90 seconds. Many home fires occur when electrical equipment is outdated or improperly used. It is critical that the public understands their home’s electrical system and the safety concerns associated with the latest residential technologies before bringing them into their homes. With newer technologies, such as solar panels, electric vehicles and more electrical gadgets in the home, consumers need to ensure they have an electrical system that’s compatible with the increased load. Through electrical safety awareness and education, we can all play a part in preventing electrical hazards and injuries in the future. Together, let’s plug into safety this May—and every day.
PLUG into SAFETY
Tip of the Month
May is National Electrical Safety Month
Laundry Tip Use rubber or wool dryer balls, which help separate clothing in the cycle, providing better airflow and a shorter drying time. Wool dryer balls can help absorb moisture, which also reduces drying time. Source: energy.gov
This month, we encourage all members to take extra time to plug into safety.
#ElectricalSafetyMonth
May 2018
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Today in Mississippi
When is the last time you cleaned your water heater? Your water heater most likely will last for 15 years. A little attention a couple of times a year can keep it humming along the whole time. Every few months, drain about a quarter of the water from the tank. That removes any sediment and debris that has found its way to the bottom of the tank. It also will quiet the unit down so it doesn’t make as much noise when it runs. To do that, turn off the water, and connect a garden hose to the tank’s drain value. Run the water into a bucket until the water turns from cloudy to clear. Also: Move boxes, tools or whatever you store near the water tank so they’re at least two feet away from it. It’s a good idea to give the tank “breathing room.” Lower the heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees. That will reduce the risk that someone in your family will get scalded in the shower.
Annual air conditioner maintenance time is here Every spring, before the weather gets too warm, call a qualified service technician to inspect and tune-up your air conditioning unit. During this annual maintenance visit, the tech will be able to tell you if your a/c will make it through the summer or if it needs some repairs. If the unit is old, the service technician might recommend that you replace it. In addition, you can do two things on your own to make sure your a/c stays in good working order: 1. Clean or replace the air conditioner filter. If you have a reusable filter, wash it and dry it every month during the summer. If you have a disposable filter, replace it. A dirty filter can get clogged with dust and dirt, and that can restrict the air flow. That will make your system work extra-hard to cool your house, which wastes energy and can drive up your electric bill. Plus, a dirty filter can push dust back into the home, which makes the air less healthy, especially if someone in your family has allergies or asthma. 2. Keep the area around the outside of the air conditioner unit clean. Remove dirt, grass and any debris that has collected around it so those things don’t restrict its air flow. Trim shrubs away so they don’t touch it. You also should rinse your unit every now and then—but shut off the power to the unit first. A tip: Never use a power washer to clean the outdoor unit.
26 electric cooperatives serving over 1.8 million people in Mississippi
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