Each season brings new opportunities and new weather concerns for Hoosiers. A winter day in Indiana can bring heavy snow, freezing rain, ice storms, and strong winds. These forms of winter weather can create electrical hazards. “It’s important for Hoosiers to make sure they’re taking steps to be safe around electricity all year long, regardless of… Continue reading.
Unfortunately, sometimes we think we’ve got the facts when what we really know are popular myths perpetuated by social media, movie exaggerations and unreliable sources. “That old saying ‘knowledge is power’ is very true, especially when electric power is involved,” said John Gasstrom, CEO at Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “That’s why we take every opportunity we… Continue reading.
When Ralphie Parker’s dad attempts to plug his glorious but tragically fra-gee-lee “Italian” leg lamp into an overloaded wall outlet in the holiday movie classic “A Christmas Story,” there first came a “snap of a few sparks” and the “whiff of ozone” before the lamp blazed forth in the front window. While that’s a funny… Continue reading.
Home fires started by malfunctioning electric appliances and faulty wiring kill nearly 500 Americans each year and cause $1.3 billion in property damage. But many electrical fires can be prevented simply by following basic safe practices and being aware. “The statistics are staggering and disturbing,” said John Gasstrom, CEO at Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “But behind… Continue reading.
With the arrival of harvest time, Indiana’s farmers are shifting into high gear as they move into their fields to bring in their crops. The increased activity puts farmers and farm workers at greater risk, warns John Gasstrom, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “Combines and grain augers are large pieces of equipment,” says Gasstrom. “People… Continue reading.
The use of drones has increased rapidly in the past several years. Coming in various sizes ranging from hummingbird to bald eagle, these remote-controlled aircraft are being used in a vast number of ways by government, industries, commercial enterprises and hobbyists. Electric utilities have come to rely on drones to help inspect power lines, including… Continue reading.
Nearby lightning strikes are most often associated with power surges in your home’s wiring that can damage electronics and appliances. But smaller power surges — voltage increases above the intended level in the flow of electricity — are far more common and can happen at any time of day, regardless of weather. Surge protectors are… Continue reading.
Summer vacation plans may still be in the “wait and see” stage, but when we’re ready to hit the road or air, take our advice: safety always matters. Just as it’s important to protect our health, remember other priorities: home security, road safety and vacation accommodation safety. Light’s on, but nobody’s home Don’t think you’re… Continue reading.
May is traditionally a big month for buying and selling homes. May is also National Electrical Safety Month. Your friends at your electric cooperative want to be sure that if you are buying a new home you don’t overlook the hidden system of wires that surrounds you in the home. “Curb appeal, location, floor plans,… Continue reading.
“Electricity and water don’t mix” is a safety rule we’ve all heard. But when flooding occurs in our home, the cautionary voices echoing in our mind can be drowned out by the swell of the stress and water. Don’t jump in and add a tragedy to the trauma. “Whenever there’s flooding, it’s human nature to… Continue reading.
Spring has sprung in the Hoosier state. It’s planting season for many of the state’s roughly 94,000 farmers. While you prepare to plant the crops that keep the world fed, Indiana’s electric cooperatives remind you to keep safety in mind — especially when working around electricity. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety… Continue reading.
Charging a cell phone is something we all do every day. No big deal, right? Wrong. Take these familiar scenarios, for example: You need a new charger. So, you head to the nearest gas station and grab one at a discounted price. You typically charge your phone in the bathroom — using an unwieldy 10-foot… Continue reading.
Electric space heaters and blankets are great ways to stay toasty warm when the temperature drops. But don’t forget about safety before you plug in these chill-chasers. During these winter months, when space heaters and electric blankets come out of hibernation, home fires increase. “Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in… Continue reading.
