Currents-September 2023

CURRENTS

INSIDE: SAFETY FIRST Tips for using electricity safely around your home.

SPOOKY GETAWAYS Great family trips to find the thrills this Halloween.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY SVEC donates supplies to help local students get ready for school.

© NorGal/Adobe Stock

SEPTEMBER 2023

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS September 2023

Michael S. McWaters Executive V.P./CEO

Suwannee Valley Currents is a monthly newsletter published by Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, © 2023. It is distributed without charge to all consumermembers of the cooperative.

In safe hands Even if we don’t think about it, most of us have our own safety procedures we follow from day to day. We practice safe driving to avoid accidents and higher insurance fees, wash our hands to protect ourselves from disease and take any number of other precautions that we don’t consciously think about.

As an electric cooperative, we can’t afford to slip up. Because many of our employees work with high-voltage electrical equipment on a regular basis, one mistake could lead to serious injury or even death. For many longtime lineworkers, electrical safety can become second nature. But when the stakes are this high, relying on habit isn’t enough.

That’s why it’s important for our employees to remain vigilant and take an active interest in the latest safety equipment and best practices. In fact, that dedication to learning is built right into the fifth cooperative principle — education, training and information.

While safety on the job might be the most important way we put that principle into practice, SVEC also places a high value on the safety of our consumer-members. Today, electricity has become so commonplace in every aspect of our lives that we can forget the risks it poses if we aren’t careful.

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So, as a reminder of how important it is to keep electrical safety in mind wherever you are, this month we’re providing some tips on home electrical safety. From avoiding dangerous shocks to preventing electrical fires that could hurt someone or damage your home, you’ll find help you need to stay safe around the house.

We hope these pages can serve as a useful reference any time you have a question about safe electrical practices. If you have other questions or would like to learn more, you can also visit svec-coop.com, and click on Outages & Safety in the main menu at the top of the page. There you can find more general safety information, tips for using a generator safely and guidelines for safe digging.

Many parents also have their kids’ safety in mind this time of year as students return to school. SVEC was proud to support local back-to-school efforts that provide much-needed classroom supplies to local students.

You can find photos and learn more about those efforts on the back page of this newsletter.

For all the amazing technology electric power has brought us, we should never forget the dangers it can pose if not properly respected. I hope all of our consumer-members will enjoy a safe and rewarding start to this new academic year. As always, we will continue to provide the safe, reliable and affordable electricity that powers your lives. 

WE BELONG TO THOSE WE SERVE Business Office: 800-447-4509 11340 100th St. Live Oak, FL 32060 Lobby Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday Drive-thru Kiosk Open 24 Hours 24/7 Power Outage Reporting 800-752-0025 svec-coop.com

Don't post signs on power poles Help keep our lineworkers safe

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY SUPRACHAI

CEO’S MESSAGE

Suwannee Valley

We’re all inundated with ads everywhere we go, but one place we don’t need to see them is on power poles. SVEC reminds our consumer-members that attaching posters or signs of any kind to utility poles isn’t just an eyesore, it can also be a lifethreatening hazard for lineworkers.

Lineworkers’ clamped safety boots can snag on staples and nails left in poles even after signs are gone. Foreign objects embedded in the pole can injure lineworkers or tear protective clothing, their first line of defense against electric shock.

Posted materials also can distract drivers and degrade the quality and stability of wooden poles.

If you see poles or guy wires have been damaged or disturbed in some way, please call an SVEC member service representative at 800-447-4509.

Never miss a payment with SmartHub SmartHub is the easy way to track your account any time of the day. Set up notifications to let you know: • When your bill is available • When a payment is due • When your payment has posted • When your bill is overdue • If there is a problem with your payment method Get started today at svecsmarthub.com.

facebook.com/sveccoop @SVEC_COOP_FL Instagram.com/sveccoop SVEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

On the cover:

Knowing when to use power strips is one key to electrical safety. See story, Page 4.

Suwannee Valley Currents

Put your bill on your schedule with MyChoice

With the MyChoice pay-as-you-go plan, you can do away with monthly power bills and pay for electricity as you use it.

• Eliminate monthly bills.

• Pay for the electricity you need when you need it.

• Never face late charges or disconnect fees.

• Track your energy use in the SmartHub app.

• Save money by learning more about your usage.

Best of all, when you switch to MyChoice, your existing security deposit can be put toward paying for your electric usage. Sign up today at svecmychoice.com or call our Member Services Department at 800-447-4509.

Suwannee Valley Currents

SEPTEMBER 2023 | 3

SAFE MODE

Don’t forget electric safety at home Suwannee Valley Electric employees work with electrical equipment on a daily basis, so their safety has always been a top priority for the cooperative. But keeping electrical safety front of mind is also important for every consumer-member, even if you don’t spend time around high-voltage equipment.

According to FEMA, there are approximately 47,000 home electrical fires each year. Keep yourself and your family safe by following these easy safety practices at home to avoid fires and shocks that can cause serious injury or even death.

Cords Do not run cords where they may become tripping hazards or under rugs where they may overheat.

Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis.

Never plug a space heater or fan into an extension cord or power strip.

Regularly examine power cords and connections for wear. Don’t use damaged cords.

Never remove an extension cord’s grounding pin to fit into a two-prong outlet.

INDOORS Appliances Major appliances like refrigerators, dryers, washers, stoves, air conditioners, microwave ovens, etc., should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.

Extension cords and power strips should not be used.

Outdoors Only plug one heat-producing appliance, such as a coffee maker, toaster, space heater, etc., into an outlet at a time.

Turn off appliances before unplugging them, and never unplug an appliance by tugging on its cord. Always pull at the plug instead.

Electricity flows easily through water.

Keep hair dryers, curling irons, electric razors and other appliances away from water.

Only use lightbulbs that are at or below the maximum wattage listed on the fixture.

For outdoor projects, use only extension cords marked for outdoor use.

Keep all power tools away from water, and keep hands dry when using them.

When carrying and using ladders and other long tools, keep them at least 10 feet away from all overhead power lines.

Contact SVEC before trimming trees near overhead power lines. Don’t let kids climb trees near power lines.

Keep far away from fallen lines. They can be dangerous, even if they’re not sparking. Notify SVEC immediately.

Call 811 to get underground utilities marked at least two business days before digging to install a fence or mailbox, start a garden or build a deck.

If you hit an underground power line you could be fatally injured.

Outlets Never overload an electrical outlet with too many plugs. If yours are overloaded, consider having a qualified electrician install additional outlets. In fact, have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.

Protect your little ones. Teach them to stay away from outlets, and cover unused outlets with childproof covers.

Only use power strips for low-voltage electronics. Overloading a power strip can create a fire hazard.

Ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs, cut power in time to prevent serious shock. Use these in bathrooms, in garages, near kitchen sinks and outdoors.

IMPORTANT REMINDER Call a qualified electrician or your landlord if you have: • Frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers • A tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance • Discolored or warm wall outlets • A burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance • Sparks from an outlet

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Suwannee Valley Currents

Suwannee Valley Currents

SEPTEMBER 2023 | 5

America’s Test Kitchen

Halloween hot spots for families in Florida

Grown-Up Grilled Cheese 7 ounces aged cheddar cheese, cut into 24 equal pieces, room temperature 2 ounces brie, rind removed 2 tablespoons dry white wine or vermouth 4 teaspoons minced shallot 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 8 slices hearty white sandwich or rosemary bread

BY CARRIE MCLAREN, VISIT FLORIDA

Halloween in Florida is so much more than just one night of trick-or-treating.

Celebrations begin in September and don’t end until November. We’re talking serious family fun. So whether you’re looking to have a not-so-scary time with Mickey Mouse or a super scary Howl-O-Scream, you’ll have a great Florida Halloween experience.

Process cheddar, brie and wine in a food processor until smooth paste is formed, 20 to 30 seconds. Add shallot and pulse to combine, 3 to 5 pulses. Combine butter and mustard in small bowl.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Select nights, September and October

Suitable for all ages, kids and adults dress in costumes and trick-or-treat around the Magic Kingdom Park in the evening. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is not included in regular park admission and requires a separate ticket. However, fewer people ensures shorter lines for even the most popular rides and enough candy for all. Don’t miss the Boo To You Halloween Parade and each night’s finale — the Happy HalloWishes fireworks display.

Working on a parchment paper-lined counter, spread mustardbutter evenly over one side of slices of bread. Flip four slices of bread over and spread cheese mixture evenly over slices.

Top with remaining four slices of bread, buttered sides up.

Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes.

Place two sandwiches in skillet; reduce heat to mediumlow; and cook until both sides are crispy and golden brown, 6 to 9 minutes per side, moving sandwiches to ensure even browning. Remove sandwiches from skillet and let stand for 2 minutes before serving. Repeat with remaining two sandwiches.

Note: Hold sandwiches on a wire rack on a baking sheet in oven at 250 F while cooking the second round. 

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular Select weekends, October

This one is a SEA-sonal favorite with all the fun included in your regular admission. SeaWorld Orlando kicks off the fun with 14 trick-or-treat stations and costumed characters such as Gummy Worm Wanda. Be sure to join Princess Penelope and friends at the Spooktacular Dance Party each night and dance along with the interactive DJ.

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights Select nights, September through Nov. 4

This is a favorite with the adult crowd and is not recommended for children.

For more than 20 years, Universal Orlando Resort has brought to life guests' most horrifying fears in a way no one else can. At Halloween Horror Nights, you’ll encounter hundreds of "scareactors" roaming throughout eight haunted houses, scare zones and shows that are sure to give you nightmares for years to come.

For many people, the thermostat is probably the first device they reach for when they’re looking for ways to save on their electric bills. In setting your thermostat, remember that the smaller the difference between the outdoor temperature and your home’s temperature, the lower your electric bill will be.

bright ideas

When you save energy, you save money. Check back here each month for new ways to make your home or business more energy-efficient.

Select weekends, September and October

When it’s warm outside, keep the temperature in your home higher than usual while you’re out and only turn it down once you get home. When the temperatures begin to drop, lower the thermostat and wear warmer clothing around the house.

With the help of a programmable thermostat, you can set these changes to happen automatically so you can stay comfortable without even thinking about it.

Ghouls, ghosts and goblins descend on Miniland USA transforming it into a haunted adventure with a scavenger hunt in search of these scary creatures that have invaded our famous cities. This spooky event takes place weekends in October and features trick-or-treating along the Brick-or-Treat trail, super brick build activities, the largest LEGO jack-o’-lantern in the world, Halloween entertainment and an all-kids costume contest with brick-tastic prizes!

Busch Gardens Tampa Howl-O-Scream Select weekends, September and October

If you’re making manual adjustments, remember not to set the temperature higher or lower than would normally be comfortable. Setting the thermostat extra low on a hot day can be tempting, but it won’t cool you off any faster, and you could see a surprise spike on your bill. 

For more ways to save energy, click on the “Energy Efficiency” tab on the SVEC website.

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LEGOLAND Florida Brick-or-Treat

Howl-O-Scream will leave you begging for mercy — and screaming for more.

With gore, blood and violence, this is one for adults only. There are scare zones, live shows, roaming hoards of creatures and haunted houses. Be sure to ride the park’s top thrill rides too — in the dark — for the loudest screams and fun.

This is just a sampling of the Halloween hot spots you and your family can enjoy in Florida. So put on those costumes, grab your camera (and a sack for treats) and go have some great fall fun with your family! 

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Suwannee Valley Currents

SEPTEMBER 2023 | 7

A back-to-school bash

SVEC contributed pencil cases filled with pencils, erasers, sharpeners, highlighters, dry erase markers and glue sticks to the ninth annual Back-to-School Bash at African Baptist Church in Live Oak. Over 300 backpacks, an abundance of school supplies, food, clothes and even gift cards were provided free to local students!

Packed and ready

SVEC donated funds to help the Suwannee County School District purchase school supplies for students throughout the system. Teachers and school administrators like School Improvement/ Title 1 Coordinator Kecia Robinson, pictured, handed the supplies out to Suwannee County students during Meet Your Teacher events throughout the district.

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Suwannee Valley Currents