Electrical safety should be practiced 24-7 year-round Metal and sockets don’t mix For adults, it is obvious biting down on an electric cord would be a dangerous action, but young children often explore the world by placing objects in their mouth. According to a healthychildren. org story, electric shock with young children, especially toddlers, most often occurs when they bite into electrical cords or poke metal objects into unprotected sockets or appliances.
Although May is Electrical Safety Month, safe practices around the home should be a year-long exercise. The distribution and use of electricity throughout the nation has become increasingly safer, but there are always inherent risks around a power source, especially for young children exploring the world around them. Education is the key, both early and often. Repetitive messaging is more likely to remain with a child.
Another common danger around the home is frayed electrical cords. Any cord without proper insulation should be discarded and replaced.
Consider how often a child is told not to climb on an object or they might get hurt. Two days after the previous warning, they’re back on the same object and fall. Same could be said for the age-old warning: “Don’t touch that, it’s hot.” One simple act parents can take to help prevent injury is to obtain self-closing outlet covers to lessen a child’s curiosity about the “holes.” It’s an affordable safety measure, running anywhere from about $1-2 each. Five safety lessons can help shield youths from potential hazards.
Don’t overload sockets With all the electronic devices requiring power, remember the number of sockets per outlet is done by design and attaching more than one device per socket can cause sparks and start a fire. Do not allow children to overload a socket. If more are needed, use a multiple-socket surge protector. Water and electricity … a deadly combination Anything plugged into a socket should not be next to water. This includes everyday items such as hair dryers, radios, phones, and game chargers. Children should even be told not to touch electrical switches when they are wet. Water and electricity don’t mix. Power lines Kids see a strong, sturdy tree and they may be inclined to climb. They need to be taught to always look up. Stay away from trees near power lines. In addition, if a child wants to fly a kite, tell them to find open fields without power lines overhead. It’s good for their own protection. Members in Golden Shores experienced an outage in 2019 caused by a kite in power lines. Obey warning signs Electrical boxes and substations are posted with warning signs for a reason. Those metal, fiberglass, and relatively small plastic green boxes seen in neighborhoods provide power to the community. They are closed, locked, and labeled with warning signs for a reason. Substations are fenced with warning signs and should not be approached or entered. Teach children to respect these signs and that the signs, locks, and fences exist for their own protection.
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April 2020
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Students look to the future following legislative rally
Two high school seniors sponsored by Mohave Electric Cooperative received a hands-on education regarding the inner workings of the political system at the Legislative Conference in Phoenix in January. Just seven months removed from MEC sponsoring Caleb Fearing and Kaileb Bayliss for the 2019 Washington Youth Tour, both were back on the road with MEC board members to meet state lawmakers and view the political process firsthand.
school. This trip gave me a lot more insight into politics as a career.” The timing of the legislative trip was nearly perfect for both. Bayliss recently turned 18 and plans to vote for the first time this year. The same can be said of Fearing, who turns 18 in April.
“The experience has me looking into politics more,” Bayliss said. “I thought it was really hard, but it’s more like controlled chaos. It’s actually very productive. My impression was of people yelling all the time. I didn’t realize it was so controlled.”
Both are interested in pursuing politics. Fearing will be attending the University of Arizona to study PPEL – Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law. Bayliss wants to pursue a career as a financial adviser. His plan is to work as a bank teller while attending Mohave Community College.
“It was interesting to see how closeknit the political world has to be to get anything done,” Fearing said. “It’s not as one-sided as you see on TV. That’s how it has to be if they’re going to get anything accomplished.”
“I think later, I’d like to get into politics,” Bayliss said. “It was a comfortable environment. It was very welcoming.”
The experience is a testament to the importance of programs such as the Washington Youth Tour. While valuable, watching documentaries, evening news programs, or sitting in a school can’t always paint an entire portrait.
“Politics is one thing I can see myself doing in the future,” Fearing said. “(The trip) definitely furthered my desire, seeing what it’s actually all about.”
And both now consider politics as a possible vocation.
The impact of visiting the Arlington National Cemetery or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is going to affect an individual differently than seeing images in a book or on television. The same goes for watching the political machine at work. “It was interesting,” Bayliss said. “I’d never been to the Arizona State Capitol before. It was like a museum. I got to see how our government works and what (the lawmakers) do for our state.” “It was a great experience,” Fearing said. “I never got to be that close to experiencing that side of politics. “They’re real people. You see it on TV and don’t always connect the right way. They go in every day the way I go to
Both students had an opportunity to meet several lawmakers and were introduced in both the House and Senate. Bayliss spent a little time with Arizona State Senator Tony Navarrete. “I learned about some new programs and how he’s trying to help people in communities,” Bayliss said. “I also learned how they want the cooperatives to function for the betterment of all their members and about coops bringing Visit www.mohaveelectric.com
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broadband to all their members.” “I want to thank MEC for allowing me to go and the Washington Youth Tour as well,” Fearing said. Bayliss and Fearing walked away with a higher understanding of public service and the process lawmakers undertake in the best interest of their constituents. It’s the type of education one can’t get watching the news or reading a book.
Above, Mohave Electric Cooperative CEO Tyler Carlson, left, with Carey Fearing, Caleb Fearing, and Arizona Sen. Sonny Borrelli. Below, left to right, MEC board member Deborah Johnson, Arizona Representative John Allen, Kaileb Bayliss, and MEC board members Cindy Christy, Carlos Tejeda, and Richard Tempelman. Other board members present, but not pictured include Joe Anderson, Toni Barbaro, John Nelssen, Joe Solar, and Michael Bartelt.
April 2020
Dates/locations announced for district, annual meetings
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Celebrating safety Electricity and water can be a deadly combination. Take a look around the home, especially the kitchen and bathroom, and be sure appliances, including items such as hair dryers, are clear of a water source.
Mohave Electric Cooperative has confirmed the dates, times, and locations for its three district meetings and the annual meeting. All will take place the second week of June and registration for all the meetings is 5:30-6:15 p.m. and will convene at 6:30 p.m. District 1 will be June 8 at Owens Whitney School, 14109 E. Chicken Springs Rd., in Wikieup; District 2 will be June 9 at Desert Valley Elementary School in the auditorium, 1066 Marina Blvd., in Bullhead City, and; District 3 will be June 10 at the Mohave Community College Bullhead City campus, room 600, 3400 Highway 95, Bullhead City. The annual meeting location has moved to a new location, the Anderson Auto Group Fieldhouse in the large conference room at 3663 Bullhead Pkwy. in Bullhead City. Board members seeking reelection in 2020 are John B. Nelssen, District 1, Carlos Tejeda, District 2, and Michael Bartelt, District 3. At the district meetings members can nominate and vote for a director to represent the district. If there is no quorum, members in attendance can recommend a candidate to serve as director.
One simple behavior change that can improve safety is to avoid unplugging items by pulling on the cord. Instead, grab the plug itself. Removing plugs properly can increase the lifespan of a product and prevent potential injury. Turns out yanking on cords, especially over the long term, can cause cords to snap and potentially damage the plug, which can cause a fire.
“This is an opportunity for members to learn about MEC, things that have happened over the last year, and what’s in store for the future,” said Tyler Carlson, CEO for MEC. “It also provides a chance to interact with MEC board members and staff.” The annual meeting includes a meal, prize giveaways, and a presentation by Carlson.
Electrical cords can create a tripping hazard and running them around the house can be unsightly. However, the common practice of running cords under throw rugs should be avoided. Such practices can lead to electrical fires or electrocution if wires become exposed. The best practice is to use only the amount of cord needed to reach an outlet and wrap up excess cord with a cable or zip tie. Visit www.mohaveelectric.com
April 2020
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MEC is an equal opportunity employer and provider
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