LIGH READING
Winter preparations
and what to
do during an outage
We have some easy tips to prepare for the upcoming winter season.
Aswinter approaches we always suggest our Inland Power members be proactive and prepared for a possible power outage at some point during the season.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting our region to experience a La Niña winter, which typically is characterized by cooler-than-average temperatures in the northern section of the U.S. and warmer temperatures in the south.
A La Niña winter also brings the increased chances of heavier snowfall in Pacific Northwest and northern plains of the country.
Preparing for winter power outages is crucial to ensure safety and comfort. Here are some key steps you can take:
Things to do before an outage:
Stock up on essentials such as batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food, water,
warm clothing and blankets.
• Prepare your home by sealing air leaks around doors and windows, insulate pipes to prevent freezing, charge your cell phones, tablets and other essential electronic items.
• Take safety measure steps by checking batteries in flashlights and carbon monoxide detectors.
Things to do during an outage:
Dress in layers of clothing to better retain body heat.
• Close off unused rooms in your home to focus on heating a smaller area.
• Cook and consume perishable foods first before they spoil.
• Create water storage by filling bathtubs and sinks with water for drinking and sanitation.
• Stay informed by using a battery powered device or a hand-crank radio to stay up to date on weather conditions and emergency information.
Things to do after an outage:
Check for damage caused by the outage, such as burst pipes or roof damage.
• Complete safety check of appliances to avoid overloading circuits.
• Ensure your home is well-ventilated and free of high levels of carbon monoxide if you used alternative heating sources.
• Restock supplies if you used any during the outage.
By taking these steps, you can better manage the challenges of a winter power outage and keep your household safe and comfortable.
Our mission is our members!
Youth Tour and Scholarship Applications are Open
Let your students know about these great opportunities!
Our Inland Power Community Foundation has some exciting opportunities for high school juniors and seniors. This Fall we have opened applications for two of our programs - the 2025 Youth Tour program and Inland Power Community Foundation Scholarship Program.
The Inland Youth Tour program is open to current high school juniors. Students can earn a FREE week-long trip to Washington D.C. to learn about leadership, team building and visit historic monuments and museums.
Are you traveling
To be eligible, applicant’s parent or legal guardian must be an Inland Power member and the student must send a signed verification by their school counselor of adequate grades with an application. The deadline for applications is Dec. 12, 2024 . To learn more please visit inlandpowercom/youth-tour.
The Inland Power Community Foundation is also pleased to offer fifteen $1,000 scholarships. These scholarships are for current Inland Power members and their children. This includes students who are members or students who can still be claimed as legal dependents of Inland Power members. A legal dependent is one who can be claimed on their parent or guardian’s tax return. Applicants planning to attend a two-year college, four-year college or line school are encouraged to apply.
Our scholarship timeline process has changed this year. All applications for Fall 2025 are due by Dec. 31, 2024 . The Foundation will conduct the review process in January and recipients will be selected and notified in February. A formal announcement of recipients will be made at the March 29, 2025 Annual Meeting
Past scholarship recipients may reapply. However, at least ten of the fifteen scholarships will be reserved for new applicants. Applications have been sent to
high school counseling offices within the Inland Power service territory, or can be found on our website at inlandpower.com/ scholarships .
Funding for the Inland Power Excellence Award is made possible by the Inland Power Community Foundation. The Foundation’s committee also serves as the scholarship committee.
The Inland Power Community Foundation was developed to generate and collect charitable donations to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve through individual, family and nonprofit organization donations. To learn more about the foundation, visit inlandpower. com/community-foundation.
this holiday season?
We have an energy efficiency tip for you!
I f you’re heading out of town during the holiday season, remember to set your home to vacation mode. You can save energy while you’re away by lowering your thermostat a few degrees or creating an “away” schedule with a smart or programmable thermostat. Newer water heaters include a vacation mode setting to help you save on water heating costs, or you can simply lower the temperature manually.
Small actions can also stack up to energy savings. Unplug devices that consume energy when they’re not in use, including phone chargers, toothbrush chargers, TVs and gaming consoles.
Five ways to safeguard your home this winter
As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, there’s a natural inclination to create a warm and cozy home. Unfortunately, as we see increased use of heating equipment, candles and electrical items, the number of home fires tend to increase during winter months.
Here are five ways you can safeguard your home for the winter season:
1. Ensure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly. If your detectors are battery-operated, replace the batteries annually. Test the detectors once a month and give them a good dusting to ensure the sensors are clear of dirt and debris.
2. Inspect electrical cords. We depend on more cords during winter, whether for holiday lighting, extension cords or portable heaters. Before using any corded items, double check to make sure cords aren’t frayed or cracked. If you use portable space heaters, remember to keep them at least 3 feet away from flammable items. Use models that include an auto shut-off feature and overheat protection. Space heaters can take a toll on your energy bills. Use them efficiently (to heat smaller spaces) and safely. Never plug a space heater into a power strip.
3. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and power strips. When overloaded with electrical items, outlets and power strips can overheat and catch fire. If you use power strips for multiple devices, make sure the strip can handle the electrical load. For a safer bet, look for power strips that include surge protection.
4. Clean the fireplace to improve safety and efficiency. There’s nothing cozier than a warm fire on a chilly night, but it’s important to maintain your fireplace for safety. As wood burns, a sticky substance known as creosote builds up in the chimney. When creosote buildup becomes too thick, a chimney fire can ignite. The chimney should be cleaned at least once a year to reduce fire risks. Regular cleaning also improves air flow and limits the amount of carbon monoxide that seeps indoors.
5. Practice safety in the kitchen. As we spend more time in the kitchen during the holiday season, be mindful of potential fire hazards. Never leave food that’s cooking on the stove top unattended. Clean and remove spilled foods from cooking surfaces and be mindful of where you place flammable items like dish towels.
Educational and Fun Fall Events
I
t wouldn’t be the fall season without two very special events that celebrate both our region and community.
At Inland Power, we are supportive of hydropower as a clean, renewable and reliable source of energy production. On Oct. 2, 2024, we hosted our 2nd Annual Dam Tour Day and traveled with community and state leaders, fellow electric cooperatives, and area PUDs to Priest
Rapids Dam, located along the Columbia River. Our group was able to visit the dam facility, fish hatchery and the Wanapum Heritage Center.
We thank Grant PUD and the Wanapum Tribe for welcoming us to their home at Priest Rapids and for showing us dam operations and a glimpse into the Wanapum culture and traditions.
On Sept. 28, 2024, Inland Power with many other local businesses participated in the Spokane Junior League’s 2024 Touch-A-Truck. This event is always a great opportunity for us to get out and celebrate our community and educate others about what we’re all about!
