Prioritize Safety Year-Round

At Columbus Electric Co-op, we recognize Electrical Safety Month every May, but we also know the importance of practicing safety year-round.

From our co-op crews to you, the members we serve, we recognize everyone has a part to play in prioritizing safety.

According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, thousands of people in the United States are critically injured or electrocuted each year due to electrical fires and accidents in their homes. Many of these accidents are preventable.

Electricity is a necessity, and it powers our daily lives. But we know firsthand how dangerous electricity can be because we work with it 365 days a year. To your electric cooperative, safety is more than a buzzword.

At CEC, we strive to keep co-op employees safe. Additionally, we want to help keep you and all members of our community safe.

Electricity is an integral part of modern life. Given the prevalence of electrical devices, tools and appliances, your cooperative would like to pass along a few practical electrical safety tips.

Board of Trustees

President

Randy L. Massey, Animas, District 

Vice President

Nancy Clopton, Hachita, District 

Secretary-Treasurer

William A. Swift, Animas, District 

Assistant Secretary-Treasurer

Joel Nañez, Deming, At-Large

Nancy Cloudt

Rodeo, District 

Joe Johnson

Columbus, District 

Hal B. Keeler

Deming, District 

Zane Shannon Nunn

Deming, District 

Jay Peterson

Animas, District 

Board Meeting

The board of trustees meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at  p.m. in the cooperative boardroom.

Frayed wires pose a serious safety hazard. Power cords can become damaged or frayed from age, heavy use or excessive current flow through the wiring. If cords become frayed or cut, replace them because they could cause a shock when handled.

Avoid overloading circuits. Circuits can only cope with a limited amount of electricity. Overload happens when you draw more electricity than a circuit can safely handle by having too many devices running on one circuit.

Label circuit breakers to understand the circuits in your home. Contact a qualified electrician if your home is more than 40 years old and you need to install multiple large appliances that consume large amounts of electricity.

Use extension cords properly. Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord. It could lead to overheating, creating a fire hazard. Don’t exceed the wattage of the cord. Doing so also creates a risk of overloading the cord and causing a fire. Extension cords should not be used as permanent solutions. If you need additional outlets, contact a licensed electrician to help.

Talk with your children about playing it safe and smart around electricity. Help them be aware of overhead power lines near where they play outdoors.

Notice: Interruption of Service

Columbus Electric will use reasonable diligence to furnish a regular and uninterrupted supply of energy. However, interruptions or partial interruptions may occur, or service may be curtailed, become irregular or fail as a result of circumstances beyond the Cooperative's control. In any such case, the Cooperative will not be liable for damages. e Cooperative cannot guarantee 100% reliability.

Happy Memorial Day

Our office will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.