Bryan County Growth Drives Pembroke Office Remodel
By Michael Wasson, CEO
anoochee EMC is excited about the growth in Bryan County and our membership. To better serve our community, we have decided to upgrade our Pembroke office. This necessary remodel will enhance your membership experience and prepare us for the future.
Construction will begin Aug. 29, requiring us to temporarily close the Pembroke office. We understand this will be inconvenient for members and appreciate your patience. The remodeled office is expected to reopen in mid-January 2025.
While the office is closed, we will continue to provide service work in the area and maintain our other locations for member support. To accommodate your payment
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
needs, we have expanded cash payment options at local Dollar Generals and other businesses at no extra charge. Our automated system is also available 24/7 at (800) 342-0134.
This remodel goes beyond the office itself. We are also improving the property to better house our crews. These upgrades will help reduce outage times and improve overall service.
We are committed to serving our members, and this remodel is a significant step forward. Thank you for your understanding as we work to enhance your experience. We look forward to welcoming you back to our improved Pembroke office in the new year.
Now is the time to schedule annual maintenance for your home’s heating system. During fall months, HVAC technicians are typically less busy, making this an excellent time for maintenance and any necessary repairs before the winter months.
A qualified technician can clean filters, check for leaks and ensure all system components are working efficiently to keep your home cozy and warm when the temperatures begin to drop.
Holiday Office Closing
Canoochee EMC offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day.
How Much Time do Your Children Spend on Devices?
A
Abipartisan group in Congress is hoping to make it illegal for children younger than 13 years old to access social media and require parents to consent before teens younger than 18 can use those platforms.
In Utah and Arkansas, lawmakers already signed laws requiring parental consent for social media users younger than 18.
Some say the effort is wasted, however, because social media organizations face challenges when it comes to verifying the ages of their users.
Past proposals have focused on creating privacy protections for kids who use social media and would require platforms to restrict ads targeted to kids that could potentially harm young users.
Some in the tech industry have pushed back, saying such efforts would restrict constitutionally protected free speech.
Meanwhile, TikTok has a one-hour time limit for those younger than 18, but users can bypass it by punching in a password.
A few years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an advisory recommending parents not only limit screen time for children younger
than 1, but they forbid it altogether. For toddlers, WHO says no more than one hour of “sedentary screen time” is healthy; and limiting or even eliminating screen time for all children younger than 5 will help them be more physically active, sleep better and grow into healthier adults.
Keep Pets Safe From Electrical Hazards at Home
nce the kids head back to school, it’s likely your house will sit empty for most of the day—unless you have pets. And pets, too often, express their loneliness by tearing up the house.
This fall, consider designing a room just for your pets, where they can roam around uncaged, play all day, rest comfortably and keep the destruction to a minimum.
How about converting a spare room or your garage into a pet-friendly space? Here’s how to get started:
1. Clear the area of any items you don’t want your pet to chew or scratch. Look for valuables and materials you want to keep or use, and look also for paint cans, cleaning chemicals, tools and anything with sharp edges
that could harm your pet. If you don’t have anywhere else to store these items, invest in a large storage container that your pet cannot open.
2. Cover electrical outlets and any exposed wiring. Remove or cover electrical cords or attach them high on walls so your pet can’t reach them to chew on or get tangled in.
3. Scour the floors and lower walls, leaving no trace of spilled poisons like antifreeze, gas, oil and paint. This also will remove harmful odors.
4. Lock all windows and doors, and securely cover any holes or vents that your pet could squeeze through in an effort to get outdoors.
5. Lay an inexpensive, easy-toclean laminate floor so you can mop up pet accidents. Concrete is porous, so it absorbs liquids and smells. Wood is absorbent, too, and scratches easily.
6. Install insulation if your pet’s room is in the garage so it won’t get too hot or cold. Furnish the room with a big, soft, washable bed, a food-andwater area, toys, scratching posts and even music.
How to Prepare for Hurricane Season
AAt Canoochee EMC, we take hurricane preparedness seriously. After the devastation of Hurricane Matthew in 2016, we’ve honed our response plan year after year, ensuring the safety of our employees and the continued service to our members.
Preparation Is Key
• Don’t wait until the last minute! Track weather developments throughout hurricane season. If a storm poses a threat, we begin preparations well in advance.
• Stay informed. We closely monitor weather forecasts and official advisories. This allows us to gauge the potential threat and determine the necessary response level.
• Resource allocation. If a significant storm is on the horizon, we may strategically deploy additional personnel and equipment from other regions to bolster our local teams.
Your Hurricane Action Plan
Having a personal hurricane plan is crucial for your safety and wellbeing. Here are key steps to consider:
• Develop a communication plan.
Establish a clear communication plan for your family, including designated contact people and meeting locations.
• Prepare an emergency kit. Stockpile nonperishable food, bottled water, medications and other essentials to last for several days.
• Evacuation plan. Identify poten tial evacuation routes and a safe haven, if necessary.
Safety During and After the Storm
• Heed evacuation orders. If local authorities issue evacuation orders,
prioritize your safety and leave the area immediately.
• Stay indoors during the storm. Once the storm hits, take shelter in a safe interior room, away from windows and doors.
• Wait for the “all clear” before venturing out. Debris, downed power lines and damaged infrastructure can pose significant dangers after the storm.
Remember: After the storm passes, allowing crews clear access to affected areas is vital for a swift restoration of services. Patience is key during this recovery phase.
By following these steps and staying informed, we can all weather the storm safely and effectively.
EV Car Show
Canoochee EMC Annual Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 8, Noon-2 p.m.
Tattnall Campground, Claxton
Have an EV and willing to participate? Connect with us! Scan the QR Code.
Claim Capital Credits Return
ach year, earnings collected in excess of the cost of providing service are allocated to Canoochee EMC’s members. This allocation is what we call capital credits, or patronage capital. We pay out capital credits in two ways, by having a general retirement or at the time of a member’s passing.
When we have a general retirement, we find that not everyone claims these funds, or we have lost contact with them. We hold these funds for our members for five years, at which point we make a final push to find these members.
Members have until Sept. 30, 2024, to claim funds from the 2018 general retirement from the years 1984-85. After that, funds will be deposited into the Canoochee EMC Foundation Inc. and be earmarked for education or economic development that benefits members.
To learn more, visit www.canoocheeemc.com/unclaimed-capital-credits.
Home Energy Survey
Canoochee EMC will be conducting a residential Home Energy Survey this fall. The purpose of the survey is to collect information needed to plan for the future.
Your participation is very important to us, so please consider completing the online survey if you receive a request. We know your time is valuable, and we appreciate your effort in participating in the survey.
Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month
Congratulations to Betty Jo Sadler of Glennville for being selected as the September 2024 Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month.
