Education is the key to safety and success!

And just like that, summer vacation comes to a close! Students are heading back to the classroom, and for some students they are heading off on a whole new adventure, college.

College can be an exciting, but nerve-racking time, not only for the students, but for parents. Parents want the best for their children, and above all they want to keep them safe.

Unfortunately, throughout the years, reports of college campus fires have been on the rise. Just like any other area, a college campus is prone to a variety of violations, and dorm rooms are not immune. Oftentimes students innocently plug in all the typical college tools – study lamps, laptops, TV’s, stereos, grooming and other electrical devices – unaware of the potential dangers.

Now, I am a firm believer in the more you know, the safer you will be. So rather than chance a mishap that could have been avoided, parents can educate themselves and their children on safe appliance use and the precautions they can take against electrical hazards.

Dorm rooms are usually small and come with a limited number of electrical outlets. Many students tend to get around this inconvenience by using multiple extension cords and power strips. This can be very dangerous, because the extension cords can overheat and create shock and fire hazards.

To avoid those dangers, stop using extension cords on a regular basis, because they are only meant to serve as a temporary solution. Using power strips with an over-current protector is a great solution. It will shut off power automatically if there is too much current being drawn.

You should unplug small household appliances when not in use as well, along with all electronics when you are away for extended periods.

Those small dorm rooms can become crammed with books and papers, and bedding can also create a hazard, allowing the smallest spark to quickly become a blaze. So, avoid placing those items or any other flammable material near any electrical appliances and cords.

Older wiring can be another cause for concern, because it might not be able to handle the increased electrical demand of today’s college student. If the use of an appliance frequently causes the power to trip off, or if its power cord or the outlet feels hot, disconnect the appliance immediately and report the condition to the landlord or campus housing staff.

At Baldwin EMC, safety is one of our core values as a cooperative. Our goal is to ensure the safety of our members and employees, and one way we do that is through education.

College is a time to learn, grow, make friends, and have fun! I wish everyone heading to their next adventure, and their parents, a safe and wonderful year!

K-12 educators from all over traveled to Destin, Fla., for Empower 2023. Empower is a four-day education workshop that provides an opportunity to learn about electricity generation and distribution, with a focus on energy education. Baldwin EMC made it possible for Baldwin County teachers to attend the workshop.

The goal for this workshop, however, wasn't just to learn about energy and electricity. The main goal was to discover creative and fun ways to integrate this new information into the classroom. And what better way to learn these creative and fun techniques than to experience them for yourself! The workshop was packed with handson activities and exercises that got everyone out of their seats and onto their feet!

There were also opportunities to network with other educators and bounce ideas off of each other.

It was a wonderful experience, and we hope everyone who attended was able to take something back with them and pass it along to their students!