NOVEMBER 2023
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
Culture of safety
Above: Air Evac Lifeteam personnel land at North Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s Salem office. They shared how co-op employees can help them before and after they land during a medical emergency.
Right: Dylan Tharp, right-ofway laborer, cuts free and then lowers a dummy during annual pole-top rescue practice at NAEC’s Salem office.
Save electricity at Thanksgiving with these tips Thanksgiving is about making delicious food and spending quality time with loved ones, but it also can be a time of higher energy usage and a higher electric bill. With a few adjustments, you can save energy and help to lower your electric bill with these tips: • Maximize your oven’s heat by keeping the door closed. Use the oven light rather than opening the door. • Turn the oven off a few minutes before the timer goes off. The oven will stay hot enough to finish cooking your dish. • Use glass and ceramic dishes, which retain heat better than metal dishes and allow you to reduce your oven temperature as much as 25 degrees. • Keep pots and pans covered on the stove. • Microwaves, slow cookers, air fryers and other small appliances use less energy than ovens and stoves. • Cool leftovers before putting them in the refrigerator. • Use a dishwasher rather than washing dishes by hand.
Classic raises $20,000 for scholarships With the support of vendors and local businesses, the North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Operation Round Up® Golf Classic raised $20,000 for the coop’s scholarship program. Nineteen teams competed for cash prizes in the scramble, which was held at the Cherokee Village South Golf Course on Oct. 12. Course sponsors included: Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp., Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc., MSTN Transformers and Roese Contracting. Silver sponsors included: Arvest Bank, Calix, FNBC, George Kell Motors, Huxford Pole & Timber Co. and Inside Information. Members can help raise money for local scholarships as well by having their bill "rounded up" to the next dollar through Operation Round Up. To enroll, fill out the form at naeci.com/operation-round-up, call 870-8953221 or mention Round Up to an NAEC employee when visiting a co-op office.
NEXT, Powered by NAEC's team won the Operation Round Up® Golf Classic. Pictured, from left, are Donny Dawson, Billy Jarrett, Keith Guffey and Willie Jarrett.
Do 5 things to help safeguard your home from fires As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, there’s a natural inclination to create a warm and cozy haven at home. Unfortunately, as we see increased use of heating equipment, candles and electrical items, the number of home fires tends to increase during winter months. Here are five ways you can safeguard your home for the winter season. • 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. • 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 three feet away from flammable items. Use models that include an auto shut-off feature and overheat protection. Space heaters can take a toll on energy bills. Use them efficiently (to heat smaller spaces) and safely. Never plug a space heater into a power strip.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING — NAEC’s offices will be closed for the holiday Nov. 23-24. A dispatcher will be on duty, and personnel will be on call in the event of an outage. Report an outage by using the NAEC app or by calling 870895-3221.
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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. Clean the fireplace to improve safety and efficiency. There’s nothing better 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. 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 stovetop unattended. Clean and remove spilled foods from cooking surfaces and be mindful of where you place flammable items like dish towels.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH When possible, cook with smaller countertop appliances instead of the stovetop or oven. Smaller appliances, such as slow cookers, air fryers and multi-cookers, consume less energy. When using the oven or stovetop, match the size of the pot to the heating element and place a lid over the pot while cooking. The food will cook faster, and you’ll use less energy. — U.S. Department of Energy
DAILY HIGHS & LOWS — SEPTEMBER 2023 Average Daily High: 81.94° compared to 83.36° in 2022
TEMPERATURE (°F)
Average Daily Low: 63.36° compared to 57.43° in 2022 Total Rainfall Amount: 4.28” compared to 0.83” in 2022 Warmest Day: Sept. 4, 89.19° Coolest Day: Sept. 18, 53.6°
DAYS
CONTACT NAEC
RIGHT-OF-WAY
ON THE FRONT
870-895-3221 info@naeci.com naeci.com
Buford, Gassville, Mammoth Spring, Many Islands and Midway areas
Christian Hagaman, right-of-way laborer, practices pole-top rescue at NAEC’s Mountain Home office.
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