As November kicks off, it’s hard to believe we’ll soon be gathering with family and friends to celebrate the holiday season. This festive time of year brings joy and warmth, but as the weather gets cooler and we spend more time indoors, the holidays can also bring increased energy use and a higher risk of… Continue reading.
By B. Rosie Lerner In late July and early August, folks around the country began receiving mysterious unsolicited packages of seeds that appear to have shipped from China. While curious gardeners may be tempted to see how they turn out, it’s never a good idea to plant “mystery” seeds, especially if they’ve come unsolicited from… Continue reading.
As a service to our readers and to promote electrical safety, here are some recent recall notices provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Visit www.cpsc.gov/en/recalls for full details of these recalls and for notices of many more. Gas fireplaces recalled due to burn hazard Miles Industries has recalled two models of Valor H5 propane… 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.
Not that you need an excuse to enjoy a rich and creamy milkshake, but Sept. 12 is the designated day to raise a toast to everyone’s favorite sweet indulgence. Celebrate National Chocolate Milkshake Day by popping into one of these 10 Hoosier ice cream shops that offer exceptional chocolate shakes. The Chocolate MooseBloomington, Nashville |… Continue reading.
An old biplane is parked on a basketball court in a relief sculpture representing Henry County (pictured on right). It’s part of the permanent 92 county artworks built into the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis. The basketball court for Henry County might be obvious: the New Castle High School gymnasium is among the largest high… Continue reading.
By Blake Kleaving Heating water and heating and cooling the air in your home are two energy-intensive household syastems. Finding ways to reduce the energy they use while increasing comfort can be challenging. Adding to the complexity are the various energy sources available, including propane or natural gas and electricity. When it comes to the… Continue reading.
Riding on the bus to and from school each day can get awfully old and BOOOORING after just a couple of weeks. And when people get bored, they like to entertain themselves and others. Sometimes people do silly things and get carried away and forget about safety. But the school bus is no place to… Continue reading.
If “back to school” means your children will be walking without you or coming home to an empty house for a few hours in the afternoons, remind them that electricity can be dangerous. Here are six lessons that can save a child’s life: Assume all utility lines are energized and can injure or kill someone… Continue reading.
Every year, some 5,000 people are scalded by hot tap water. Most of these accidents involve the elderly and children under the age of five. Just two seconds of exposure to water that’s heated to 150 F will cause a third-degree burn — the most serious type — in most adults. If water is heated… Continue reading.
Follow these tips if you’re painting indoors: A well-ventilated house makes for a healthier home under any circumstances. But it becomes even more important when you’re tackling an interior painting project. To avoid health problems when you’re painting the inside of your home: Schedule painting for dry periods in the fall or spring when it’s… Continue reading.
Pressure washers are handy tools. They can clean up almost anything and make a house or deck look brand new. And electrically powered ones are among the only tools that mix water and electricity during use — an otherwise deadly combination. Pressure washers can be safe to use if you read the manual carefully —… Continue reading.
Late summer and early fall often bring tornadoes and floods to our part of the country. It’s important to take precautions with your home’s electrical system. Debris from storms can easily ignite if they come into contact with downed power lines, especially when electrical wires are severed. Also, standing water and even appliances can become… Continue reading.
