2016 January Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation Hot Lines

We’re here for you.

January // February 2016

A trip of a lifetime – an all-expense-paid tour of the nation’s capital – awaits 44 high school juniors from Arkansas this summer. If you apply for the 2016 Cooperative Youth Tour, you might be chosen for the week-long trip to Washington.

The trip, which is sponsored by the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, includes a guided tour of the U. S. Capitol, as well as tours of all the major sites in Washington, such as Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home; the museums of the Smithsonian Institution; the Newseum; and the Jefferson, Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Vietnam, Korean and World War II memorials.

This spring, Craighead Electric Cooperative will select two high school juniors to attend the 2016 tour, which is set for June 10-17. The winners will be selected through an essay contest and an interview. Applicants must be high school juniors and their parents/ guardians must be members of Craighead Electric Cooperative.

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The Arkansas group will travel to Washington by a chartered motorcoach and return to Little Rock by air.

Once in Washington, the students will join about 1,500 students from across the nation who are attending the tour. Why do we do this? The answer is simple. Craighead Electric Cooperative is committed to its members and to the communities it serves. Through the Youth Tour, we are helping Arkansas’ youth learn more about the workings of their nation’s government and the electric cooperatives, as well as develop leadership skills. For more information, contact Jon David Carmack at 870336-4404; jcarmack@craigheadelectric.coop or Justin Etter at 870-336-4406; jetter@craigheadelectric.coop. The deadline for entries is 5 p.m., April 1, 2016. To learn more about the Youth Tour, visit: www.craigheadelectric.coop, www.ecark.org, and www.youthtour.coop. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Don’t miss out on this incredible, life-changing opportunity.

JONESBORO, ARKANSAS 72403

FACEBOOK.COM/CRAIGHEADELECTRICCOOP

800.794.5012

TWITTER.COM/CRAIGHEADCOOP

870.932.8301

January // February 2016

• Only use electric blankets with an automatic shut off designed to prevent overheating.

• Pets should never be allowed to sleep on top of electric blankets.

• Electric blanket wires should never be bent or tucked under a mattress.

Give Heaters Some Space and Your Blankets a Break Scenery of frost, snowy landscapes, and glittering ice can be a beautiful sight, but it can be even better from the warmth of your home. For many in the wintertime, a simple way to save money and stay warm means turning down the furnace and plugging in space heaters and electric blankets. However, the Safe Electricity program urges consumers to use these devices with caution. They may provide needed comfort, but they can also be deadly if they are not used with care.

Consider the following guidelines to operate space heaters safely: • Many fires start when flammable products are placed too close to heating devices, such as space heaters. Space heaters should be kept at least three feet from blankets, clothing, paper, and other flammables.

• Place space heaters out of high-traffic areas and on a level, hard, non-flammable floor surface— NOT on carpets, furniture, or countertops.

• Look for a space heater that has guards from heating elements and automatically shuts off if it is tipped over or overheating.

• Do not attempt to warm your entire home using only space heaters. Space heaters are useful in small areas, such as a study or living room.

However, if you need to keep large areas warm, your home heating system will do the job more efficiently.

• Replace old or damaged electric blankets. The blanket should not have any charred or dark areas.

If you are shopping around for space heaters or electric blankets, be sure to check for safety certification marks to verify that the product has been tested for safety. You should look for UL, ETL, or CSA marks, for example. Once you have made a purchase, make sure to fully read and follow the user instructions before using either product.

Check space heaters and electric blankets before use. Cords should not be frayed, brittle, or cracked.

Always remember to turn off space heaters and electric blankets when not in use. Never leave one of these devices on unattended or after going to bed.

Whether it’s electric blankets, heaters, or wiring, protect your home and family. Remember to check smoke detectors every month and replace the batteries twice a year. Also, develop and practice an escape plan.

A good plan is known by all household members and includes an outside meeting location away from danger of the fire.

To learn more on how to avoid electrical hazards

while staying warm this winter, visit SafeElectricity.org.

• Plug space heaters directly into the outlet, and never use an extension cord.

For the safe use of electric blankets, Safe Electricity

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JONESBORO, ARKANSAS 72403

FACEBOOK.COM/CRAIGHEADELECTRICCOOP

800.794.5012

TWITTER.COM/CRAIGHEADCOOP

870.932.8301