2018 May/June Craighead Electric Hot Lines

craigheadelectric.coop

Member Driven • Service Focused • It’s What We Do Everyday May // June 2018 CECC Newsletter

Whole-Home Surge Protection Lightning and short-circuits can strike at any moment and destroy or cause extensive damage to your equipment and appliances. Being prepared for these unexpected surges and spikes can go a long way towards protecting your equipment.

Lightning is often the cause of power surges, but other factors such as birds, squirrels, and trees interfering with power lines can also cause short circuits that can lead to a power surge. Construction work, demand fluctuations in your home, and auto accidents involving utility poles can have the same effect.

Craighead Electric wants to help you shield your equipment and appliances from these threats by offering affordable, utility-grade surge protection to all of our residential and small-commercial members. Our surge protectors are installed under the meter, acting as a firewall against high voltage spikes by safely “clamping” and dissipating excess voltage before it can reach computers, routers, copiers, DVR’s, TV’s, stereos and other AC powered electronics/electrical equipment.

Meter-base surge protectors will only guard against surges coming in through the electrical service, but when used together with auxiliary surge-protectors on telephone lines, cable services, and on individual devices, they are an essential part of a whole-home surge-protection strategy.

For only $6.00 per month, Craighead Electric will install and maintain a surge protector on the electric meter of your home, shop, apartment, or light industrial building.

If it ever fails to stop a power surge from entering your home through the electric service, damaged electronics are warrantied up to $50,000. For more information on leasing a surge protector for your meter, call us today at 1-800-794-5012 or visit our website at craigheadelectric.coop/surge-protection.

4314 S TA D I U M B O U L E VA R D

P. O . B O X 7 5 0 3

Going the Extra Mile

Electric Cooperatives

Number of consumers served: 8

Did you know electric cooperatives maintain more miles of power lines per consumer and acquire less revenue than other types of electric utilities?

Revenue:

$19,000 Other Electric Utilities

Number of consumers served: 32

Even though they serve fewer consumers and acquire less revenue (per mile of line), electric co-ops always go the extra mile, maintaining a tried-and-true record of delivering safe, reliable electric service to the members they serve.

Revenue:

$79,000 Sources: EIA, 2016 data.

Includes revenue and consumer averages per mile of line.

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month When streaming online content, use the smallest device that makes sense for the number of people watching.

Avoid streaming on game consoles, which use 10 times more power than streaming through a tablet or laptop.

Source: energy.gov

JONESBORO, ARKANSAS 72403

800.794.5012

CRAIGHEAD ELECTRIC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER & EMPLOYER

870.932.8301

May // June 2018 CECC Newsletter

Illuminating Storm Safety Despite the beautiful colors it casts into the sky, lightning brings with it dangerous risks to personal safety. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that approximately 25 million lightning bolts make contact with the Earth each year. A lightning strike can cause serious or even fatal injuries. To avoid these risks, always keep an eye on weather forecasts and make backup plans in case of an unexpected storm.

“Most lighting accidents occur when victims do not have the proper warning to find a safe place to seek shelter,” explains Natalie Hemmer, Safe Electricity Advisory board member. “Remember the advice from the National Weather Service, ‘When thunder roars, go indoors.’ Stay in a safe shelter for at least 30 minutes after you last hear thunder.”

According to NWS, in 2016 there were 38 deaths from lightning in the U.S. Many injuries also occurred. In August 2016, WABC reported that five individuals sustained serious injuries in a New York park when lightning struck the metallic bench they were sitting on. The individuals sitting on it sustained an electric shock.

Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the area in which it is raining. Preparation is important to safety. Listen to, watch, or download an app on a handheld device that provides weather forecasts so that you know if there is a chance of severe weather. If there is a chance, reschedule the activity or make sure you can get to a safe location if a thunderstorm develops. Safe shelters are in fully enclosed buildings or in a fully enclosed metal-topped vehicle.

Open vehicles, such as convertibles, motorcycles, and golf carts, are not safe. Open structures—such as porches, gazebos, pavilions, and baseball dugouts—are not safe either.

“Before a thunderstorm, it is a good idea to turn off or unplug corded appliances and stay away from television sets,” adds Hemmer. “Also, turn off your air conditioner to help protect the compressor from a potential power surge and costly repairs from the storm.”

Also, during the thunderstorm, do not lie on concrete floors and avoid leaning on concrete walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

If a person is struck by lightning, call 911 and care for the victim immediately. You are not in danger of being shocked or electrocuted by the victim.

For more information on storm safety, visit SafeElectricity.org.

4314 S TA D I U M B O U L E VA R D

P. O . B O X 7 5 0 3

JONESBORO, ARKANSAS 72403

FACEBOOK.COM/CRAIGHEADELECTRICCOOP

800.794.5012

TWITTER.COM/CRAIGHEADCOOP

870.932.8301