HXE 2c Su13_SAMPLE by Hudson Ink

SUMMER 2013

Enjoy Outdoor Activities …page 2

My Word by <NAME> Dear Friends, With the shift to summer, work gets busier, or slower, depending on what you do. Kids are taking a break from school, but not from all their activities. The days get longer, and you spend more time outdoors. But the heat affects more than just the outdoor weather. The higher temperatures can add strain to your electrical system this season. If you experience any trouble, just give us a call and we’ll get someone out there right away to help keep your electrical system in good working order.

Save Big on Summer Vacations …page 2

How to Prevent Cooking Fires …page 3

<Company>’s Smart & simple ways to enrich your home living.

— Q&A You Ask, We Answer — Beat Stormy Weather Summer usually brings an increase in storm activity. Dangerous thunderstorms cost thousands each year in damaged and lost goods. Two lines of defense are essential to protect your equipment from power disturbances – a heavy-duty surge protector at your main service panel and several point-of-use surge protectors downstream. Service Panel Surge Protection These devices protect against large external power surges and can be connected to all incoming power, cable and telephone lines. This protects your home against very high surges. Generally, these devices are warranted to protect large appliances and heating/cooling systems and will reduce surges to levels that “point-of-use” type protectors can handle. Installation

of these devices must be done by a qualified electrician, and if you wish to install the device at the meter, the consent of the utility company will probably need to be obtained by the contractor. Point-of-Use Surge Protectors A “point-of-use” surge protector guards individual electronics from lower-level, internal fluctuations. You may have equipment plugged into a multi-socket power strip, but many of these devices function simply as extension cords, providing little or no protection against power surges. Point-of-use devices can be purchased at most electronics stores from $20 to $100, and plug into electrical outlets. Give us a call to help you determine the best surge protection plan for your home.

Visit www.<yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com for more great ideas for home & life, including: Money-Saving tips | Home & Organizing | Health & Food

— Dollars Make Sense —

Save Big on Summer Vacations — ST YLE POINTS —

Enjoy Outdoor Activities, but Beware of Electrical Risks W ith warmer weather coming on,

most folks want to spend more time outdoors. Even though electricity use outdoors may add greater ease to your chores and more enjoyment to your entertainment, it also brings risks. An important hint about power lines: avoid them. Some safe practices to follow: Near power lines, use wood or fiberglass ladders instead of metal ladders. Make sure the ladder is dry and at least ten feet away. Fly toys in open fields, never near power lines. If something does get caught in a power line, let the string or cord go immediately. Do not try to remove it yourself. As always, stay away from downed power lines. Treat them as if they are live wires and potentially lethal to touch. Another big outdoor electrical risk: water. The warmer months can bring on heavy water use from lawn care and gardening as well as swimming pool activities. Follow these practices to increase your electrical safety:

Keep outdoor electrical outlets covered with weather-protected outlet covers.

Outdoor electrical appliances should be plugged in and turned on only when in use.

T here’s nothing like the

Store outdoor electrical products indoors.

where you pack the cooler

Generally, electrical fixtures or receptacles should not be within five feet of a pool, unless they are specially designed for that purpose. If they’re within 20 feet of a pool, they should have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection.

open road in summertime – and the kids and head for the lake, the beach or the mountains. Trouble is gasoline prices are near record highs. What’s more,

Switch it. Plug it. Click it. The electronic devices your family enjoys for work, school, entertainment and connecting came along after most homes were built.

the travel organization

Let us come out for a friendly, free review of what’s being switched, plugged or clicked. We can add wiring quickly and safely. Call <COMPANY> at <PHONE>.

AAA recently conducted a survey that showed summer travelers could experience a 5% increase in lodging and dining costs.

— The Product Ni tpick —

A Healthier Ride Many motorists are unaware

that their vehicles come

equipped with cabin air filters

that prevent pollutants such as pollen, dirt, dust and soot from entering their car through the vents.

But over time, air filters can get clogged and actually multiply the dangers from air pollutants. That makes proper air filtration for vehicles especially important for families with children or members who suffer from chronic respiratory illnesses. Check your filter every 12,000 to 18,000 miles.

Before Going

— Summer Secrets —

How to Prevent Cooking Fires

Buy what you can ahead of time, like film, sunscreen and first-aid supplies. That saves you from the high prices of convenience stores or hotel shops.

D id you know that cooking is

The family that travels together stays together – and for hours at a time. On-road movies with portable DVD players help. You could also borrow audio books from your local library. Other good bets: drawing supplies, books, magazines and hand-held video games.

the leading cause of home fires in the United States, as well as the leading cause of home fire injuries? These tips can help you prevent fires: • Keep towels, potholders, curtains and paper products away from the stove. • Keep the stove and oven clean to prevent grease build-up. • If a cooking fire starts, smother it with a pot lid.

Pack the snacks. Vacation travel without snacks in the

Never throw water on a grease fire.

• Heat oil slowly to avoid splattering. • If a fire starts in the microwave, keep the door closed.

• Check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave your house to be sure appliances are turned off. • Get a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it.

• Make a fire escape plan and practice it monthly.

— Hot News Now —

vehicle is like vacation travel

Time it right

with a bunch of people saying, “I’m hungry.” Pack a cooler to keep the on-the-road complaints to a minimum and on-the-road food costs minimal.

Good for Nothing That’s what things in the mail are often worth, but not this… This ad gets you $25 off your next repair bill. So your wallet gets some help while our repair professionals get your system up and running. And that’s good for a lot. Call <COMPANY> at <PHONE>. ©2013

How to Save More Green on Your Lawn

L awn lovers know that

keeping their turf green during

Water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. If you water your lawn during midday, you’re likely to lose as much as 30% of the water to evaporation. Water when your lawn is thirsty. Step on the lawn and see if your foot’s indention remains – that’s a sign of thirst.

the hot summer months

Install a rain shut-off device on automatic sprinklers.

Drought conditions cause

Longer is not always better. Water in a series of short sessions. Three ten-minute sessions spaced 30 minutes apart enable better absorption than one 30-minute session.

requires regular watering. us to wisely conserve water.

Here are some steps you can take to keep your lawn – and wallet – healthy:

My Word Oh, and don’t forget the impact

Sincerely,

on your energy costs. If the time is

outdated equipment use can have right to replace an older electrical panel with a newer more efficient model, let us know and we’ll get right on it.

! e M n a c S

…continued from page 1

<NAME> P.S. Be sure to check out the discounts in this newsletter. If you

We wish you a summer of fun

activities and many good times.

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to view <your company’s> special online

can’t use them, pass them on to

offer. Don’t have a smartphone? Visit

someone who can. Thanks.

<your website> for more information.

<LOGO>

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

<PHONE>

PAID

CO-OP LOGO Optional

— Wire Fire —

More house fires are caused by • Circuit breakers – These can faulty wiring than any other be lifesavers, but not if they’re source… And many can be corroded. prevented with a simple wiring check. Let us perform a FREE wiring • Water seepage – Water and electricity are enemies. We can safety check on your home. There’s no cost or obligation. We can alert keep them apart. you to potential dangers that can be • Frayed wiring – Animals, completely undetected except by insects and motion strip wires of experts. (That’s us!) Trouble spots in protective insulation. your home could be: • Loose wiring – Over time, anything can get ungrounded.

Permit ##### Montgomery, AL

Connect —

M O r e S av i n g s a n d G r e at N ews

—

Want to see more home and savings

tips? Visit our HomeXpert portal at

<yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com. You’ll find energy saving tips for the coming season, plus articles covering the hottest topics in home, health and savings news. You may even find a recipe or two! So visit <yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com.