For an inexperienced teen driver, wrecking the family car is almost a rite of passage. The only way for young drivers to gain experience is to get behind the wheel and put miles behind them. Some dangers, though, cannot be learned from personal “experience.” Take this example: an accident involving a utility pole. How the… Continue reading.
An estimated 150 million wood poles form the backbone of the nation’s electric grid, supporting the delivery of electricity and telecommunications across America, says Osmose, a nationwide utilities services company. Wood remains the preferred material for poles because of its durability, strength, low cost, and availability. But like most things, wood can weather and weaken…. Continue reading.
Making ends meet might be hard for many Hoosiers right now. If you find yourself falling behind paying monthly utility bills, contact your electric cooperative for help before you face losing service. Your local electric cooperative has programs that can help consumers keep the lights on. If your electricity has already been disconnected, never tamper… Continue reading.
Tornadoes or other weather-related disasters often bring widespread power outages. Most electric utilities follow a similar methodical plan that ensures power is restored to the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time in the safest manner possible. To do that, your co-op utilizes this priority system when line crews are working on… Continue reading.
Spring brings babes to barnyards and buds to tree branches. But it also can bring powerful storms causing widespread damage and even death. In the past five years, from 2018 through 2022, Indiana had 40 deaths, 38 injuries and almost $113 million in property and crop damage from weather events in Indiana alone, according to… Continue reading.
It’s planting season for many of Indiana’s roughly 94,000 farmers. While you prepare to plant the crops that keep the world fed, Indiana Electric Cooperatives reminds you to keep electrical safety in mind. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 62 farm workers are electrocuted each year in the U.S…. 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 can be drowned out by the swell of the stress and water. Don’t jump in and add a tragedy to the trauma. “When there’s flooding, it’s human nature to want to quickly assess… Continue reading.
If an approaching winter storm is the lead story on your nightly news, it’s probably chaos at the local grocery and too late to properly stock up on necessary food items, de-icing pellets and other related items. That’s why you should prepare before a winter storm is on the horizon. It’s important to develop a… Continue reading.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is one of the most beloved holiday comedies. But if you love cats, there’s one scene that’s something of a nightmare. In the iconic scene, Aunt Bethany’s visiting cat drags a loose string of Christmas tree lights under an armchair. This pulls the plug from the outlet. Chevy Chase, as Clark… Continue reading.
Is your home’s electrical system ready for winter? The best time to find out is long before you hear about the season’s first approaching winter storm, suggests Jon Elkins, vice president of safety, training and compliance at Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “Taking a little time to prepare your home for colder weather has many benefits,” said… Continue reading.
Whether you’re about to welcome your first baby home or already have toddlers romping about, you’ve probably thought a lot about safety. You have gates to cordon off unsafe areas; you’ve attached rubber guards to sharp corners. You have baby locks on cabinet doors and have anchored tall bookcases and furniture to the wall. But… 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 crops. All that increased activity puts farmers and farm workers at greater risk, warned Jon Elkins, vice president of safety, training and compliance at Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “Combines and grain augers are large… Continue reading.
When planning home improvement projects — especially those that involve electrical work — do you know when to DIY and when to hire a professional? Homeowners wanting to do it themselves can tackle many types of projects, but when safety becomes an issue, seek a professional with appropriate training, equipment and insurance. “Painting a bedroom… Continue reading.
