10 simple ways to save energy and money this summer:

1. Set your air conditioner thermostat as high as comfortable – we recommend 78ºF or higher when you’re at home, and 85ºF when you’re gone. Keep inside air vents clear from furniture and other objects.
    
2. Have your central air conditioner tuned up and clean or replace filters monthly for more efficient operation.
    
3. Minimize indoor heat: run the dryer and dishwasher at night on hot days and let your dishes air dry. Avoid heat-generating incandescent lighting and use a microwave, toaster oven or outdoor grill instead of the oven. It's best to avoid the use of major appliances between 2 and 8 p.m.
    
4. Set your water heater to 120ºF.
    
5. Keep the blinds and windows closed during the day and open at night. This is a no-cost way to keep your home a little cooler.
    
6. Window, ceiling and whole-house fans are also low-cost ways to keep your home a little cooler.
    
7. Wash clothes in cold water and clean the lint filter in the dryer after every use.
    
8. Eliminate, or deactivate, extra freezers or refrigerators if you can, especially if they spend the summer outdoors or in a garage. Better yet, have your old refrigerator or freezer picked up for proper recycling and earn a cash incentive.
    
9. Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. Plug home electronics, such as TVs, DVD players and computers into power strips and turn off the power strips when the equipment is not in use.
    
10. If you have a pool: consider slowly reducing pool filtration time by 30 minute increments daily. Keep on reducing the time as long as the water appears clean. You may find you only need to run your pool filter six hours a day. Install a timer to control the length of time that the pool pump cycles on.

Be Fire Prevention Smart- Don’t get burned

Have you inspected your electric‬ plugs and cords lately? It's not safe to use frayed or cracked ones:

 

• Electricity usually makes life easier by powering kitchen appliances, gadgets, and electronics we use for entertainment. However, that same electricity contains the potential to destroy homes and take lives. Electric fires are more destructive than any other type of fire, and they are twice as deadly. Safe Electricity has the following information to help you keep your electric system safe.
• Consider getting an electric inspection of your home, especially if it is an older home, or you have never had an inspection.
• If an electrical fire starts in your home, do not use water to extinguish it. Water conducts electricity, and you could get an electric shock. Use an extinguisher that is approved for use on electric fires.
• Flickering lights, warm, cracked, or sparking outlets all indicate electric problems.
• If circuits trip, fuses blow, someone gets a shock, your home has an electric problem. Get an electric inspection.
• Do not overload outlets, use an extension cord as a permanent wiring solution, or use light bulbs that are not rated for the socket.
• Contact an electrician about installing arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). An AFCI monitors the flow of electricity in your home. If the flow of electricity is irregular and could cause a fire, the AFCI shuts off electricity. An AFCI costs around $35, plus the cost of professional installation. The cost also depends on the size of your home and how many circuit breakers you have. Inspect electric plugs and cords annually. If they are frayed or cracked, repair or replace them. Do not place cords under rugs, or staple or nail them to the wall.

EXPERTip:

Never step into a flooded area if water could be in contact with electrical equipment or outlets: http://bit.ly/mDKtXx.

Happy Thanksgiving

LIFETIME OF SAFETY: BE THANKFUL FOR A SAFE THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most anticipated meals of the whole year. For many of us, this means friends and family of all ages descending on our homes for food and fun. As you plan for the day, however, don’t stop at determining the menu. With a little thought, planning and preparation, you can ensure that you and your guests have a truly happy and safe Thanksgiving.

This year, before you mash the potatoes or roast the turkey, read these electrical safety tips to ensure safety and prevent accidents in your kitchen:

• Look for the UL mark on appliances. If you need to purchase new electrical appliances such as slow cookers, deep fryers, food processors, plate warmers or electric knives, make sure to look for the UL mark on the appliances. The UL mark is used by manufacturers to indicate that the appliance meets specific safety standards and is a trusted safety symbol among consumers and manufacturers.
• Avoid using a turkey fryer. We know that deep frying a turkey has become a popular way to cook that Thanksgiving bird, but if you can, opt for the traditional oven roasting. Turkey fryers pose a number of distinct safety concerns, including burn and fire hazards, and UL does not certify any turkey fryers.
• Unplug all appliances that aren’t in use. Not only will you save energy, but you will also avoid the potential dangers if they were to be turned on accidentally. Free up counter space in your work area by storing unused appliances.
• Keep electric cords out of reach. When using electrical appliances in your kitchen, be sure that the cords are out of reach of children. This will prevent children from pulling on the cords or having an accident in the kitchen. Keeping your cords organized will also prevent tripping hazards in a busy kitchen.
• Replace frayed electrical cords. Contact with frayed electrical cords can cause electric shock and serious injury to a person. Avoid this potential danger by replacing all frayed electrical cords in your kitchen.

Electrical appliances aren’t the only things that can cause hazards in your kitchen. Here are some more kitchen safety tips for you to remember on Thanksgiving:

• Keep the kitchen free of clutter. Avoid trying to cook too many dishes at one time on your range. This can cause grease from some dishes to spill onto the stove and cause a grease fire. Keep food packaging, towels, napkins, pot holders and other flammable items away from the stove top.
• Dress appropriately. Avoid wearing any loose clothing or dangling sleeves that could catch fire while cooking.
• Do not leave the kitchen unattended. Fires often start when food is left cooking unattended, so make sure to keep a close eye on all your foods that are roasting, boiling, baking or frying.
• Do not place glass dishes or lids near a burner or on a hot surface. Heat can cause these items to explode, sending glass shards flying through the air and causing injury.
• Keep the floors clear. Make sure you avoid any tripping hazards in the kitchen. That includes pets, bags, children and toys.