May Empowered Newsletter

May is National Electrical Safety month!

TWO-WAY TEXTING IS COMING

Central Rural Electric Cooperative members will soon be able to report power outages via text. A two-way texting system will help the cooperative more quickly assess outage predictions and provide members with more timely status information.

“We are excited to offer texting capabilities to our members,” said Hunter Robinson, Central CEO. “Texts are immediate and will make two-way communication with our members easier.”

The TextPower SmartAlerts system will be integrated with Central’s current outage management system.

The integration will allow

members to report outages by text 24/7. If an outage is predicted at your home, the system will text members asking them if their power is indeed out. This real-time response will help our outage management system pinpoint faults on the system and allow line crews to access and restore power more quickly.

Welcome to Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s text messaging service. Text QUIT to opt out. Text OUT to report a power outage.

The system is slated for deployment in late-May. Members will receive a text message from Central, and those who do not wish to participate will be able to respond to the text to optout. To make sure you are included in the program, please make sure your cell phone is listed on your account, see below.

MAKE SURE CENTRAL HAS YOUR CELL PHONE ON FILE From the SmartHub website:  Select My Profile and My Information from the menu.  Review the phone numbers listed on your account.  Update any information and click Save.

From the SmartHub app:  Tap the More icon, then the Settings menu.  Review your phone numbers.  Update any information and tap Save.

 You can also call our office at 405-372-2884 during regular business hours to talk with an account representative.

UPDATE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

OUR SAFETY-FIRST CULTURE

M AY 2 0 2 1 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) Stu Preston, Vice President (District 2) Bill Davis, Secretary/Treasurer (District 7) Gary McCune (District 1) Len Tontz (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) James Wells (District 6) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Kory Frazier - Marketing and Communications Specialist

www.MyCentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop twitter.com/MyCentralCoop instagram.com/MyCentralCoop

Contact Us: editor@MyCentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076

Notice: Central’s office will be closed May 31 for Memorial Day.

Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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May is National Electrical Safety Month. It’s a month where we highlight the importance of electrical safety, but Central’s safety-first culture is something we live every day. Safety first is one of Central’s core values because safety is first in all that we do.

Safety doesn’t stop with our line crews. Central is continually communicating with members about the importance of electrical safety. Electric poles, wires and transformers are so common in our landscape, it is easy to forget they are there. Underground lines are hidden beneath the ground making them impossible to find without specialized equipment. All of this equipment is dangerous to come in contact with.

Each day when linemen start a job, the first few minutes are spent addressing safety.

This practice is called a job briefing. The linemen develop a plan for the work Education about electrical that needs to be done. safety is important – They consider existing and especially when it comes potential hazards that may to curious kids. Central’s arise from the task at hand.

Be Safety Smart program Carol Dvorak, District 3 Trustee They make assignments is aimed at elementary and discuss the procedure. students. The interactive The foreman ensures each worker program is put on by trained counderstands the hazards associated op staff and teaches kids about the with the task and that each worker dangers associated with electricity. is using the appropriate personal Kids will learn the importance of protective equipment. looking up, looking around and staying safe around power lines.

This past October during the ice storm, The program was Central had more than live streamed on our 100 workers in the Facebook page last field. We had line crews spring, and we plan to do from four states helping it again this May. Watch our crews restore our Facebook page for power. With that many details. Contact Central individuals in the field, to host a Be Safety safety was of utmost Smart presentation for concern. In outage your class or student situations like an ice organization. storm, linemen work to restore power as quickly, but more importantly, as This May, we ask you to take some safely as possible. Before heading to time to visit with your family about the field each morning, crews met electrical safety. Identify potential in our training center for a safety hazards around your house, and talk briefing. Similar to a job briefing, with your kids and grandkids about these meetings made sure everyone them. was on the same page and that safe work procedures were being followed.

THE FAMILY INITIATIVE RECEIVES FOUNDATION GRANT DOING DIY? BE SAFE! Tackling do-it-yourself (DIY) projects for the home can be fun and costeffective, so why not roll up those sleeves and get started! Whether you’re painting the front door or finally upgrading those patio lights, successfully completing a home project is satisfying. But many of these projects come with risks. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind as you get to work:

Steven Mandeville, left, and Jennifer Diener, right, with The Family Initiative, receive a $1,350 grant from Central Community Foundation board member, Judy German. TFI provides resources to foster care families across Central's service area.

The Central Community Foundation recently granted The Family Initiative, Inc. (TFI) $1,350 for tablets, headphones and other accessories for children in Central's service area who are placed in foster care families

by TFI. These tablets will be used for distance learning, as well as telehealth appointments for the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Founded as a rural day camp in 1965, TFI is now a multi-state welfare organization devoted to the strength of family. In Oklahoma, more than 7,000 children need a home. TFI serves as a bridge for these children and the families fostering them. TFI continuously strives to improve the quality of service they provide to children and families in the states they serve.

Grants from the Central Community Foundation are made possible by

Central members who round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. These funds are put into the foundation, which distributes them to people in need throughout Central’s seven-county service area.

The foundation has five fields of interest: healthcare, education, disaster relief, personal need and community purpose. For more information and to see the impact the Central Community Foundation is making, visit MyCentral.Foundation.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION  May 15 is the deadline for Foundation grants to be reviewed during the June meeting. Learn more at MyCentral.Foundation.

Z Personal protective equipment (PPE) is your friend. We know you’re a pro but investing a few bucks in PPE is essential for most home projects. Stock up on safety goggles, dust masks, ear plugs (or noise reduction ear protectors), gloves and any other kind of protection you’ll need for your project.

Z Work slowly, and clean as you go. When you rush through a DIY project, you’ll likely end up with less desirable results than you intended. Take your time and remember you are in control of the project. Pick up any scrap materials, tools that aren’t in use and any tripping hazards.

Z Be cautious with power tools.

Annually, 8% of electrocutions in the U.S. are attributed to improper use of power tools.

Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes.

Remember, you should only tackle DIY home projects within your skill and comfort level. For projects that require extensive electrical work, we strongly recommend you hire a licensed, qualified electrician for assistance.

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SHOP AND SAVE WITH CO-OP CONNECTIONS

ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH WORD SEARCH

May is Electrical Safety Month!

Read the safety tips below, then find and circle the bold words in the puzzle.

E L E C T R I C A L K E D E E

J S D N S B J S Z K I Z R F L

E R A V C M Z C U Y M K A E E

Q Y M J N Z O Y T C W T Z B C

L S A L K D F K O K A A A A T

V D G H R G Y R E X Q L H S R

T E E W W D D Z F A A M S P O

S D D M C S F D Q P L T Y K N

O D B E D R O O M N E A S L I

K E I B M R C V T L Z I R V C

WORD BANK: • Do not use any electrical cords that feel warm to the touch or are damaged in any way.

• Remind parents or adults in your home to test smoke alarms every month. Alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.

F H J U S N O N T A R G F M S

A N L R Q R D U B E N P J Z S

B Y G I A I O V R J L X J H N

T X E T N Q L I B B Y I I L W

T J V O A I F D Q W E D J M T

• Do not overload electrical outlets. Overloading creates a potential fire hazard.

• Keep all liquids away from electronics, including TVs, computers and gaming consoles.

• Do not run electrical cords under rugs or carpet. This creates a fire risk.

Central members can save money when they shop with the Co-op Connections card.

Co-op members can “Go Beyond the Card” to save in their communities, while on the go and online.

You may remember the Touchstone Energy Co-op Connections card program from years past.

Now, the Co-op Connections app provides the same discounts and savings but in a more user friendly smartphone app. Using your smartphone’s location, you can search for deals nearby to find discounts close to your location.

In addition to local deals, you can also take advantage of deals across the country.

Touchstone Energy cooperatives serve 46 states, so there

82nd Annual Meeting

is a good chance you will find deals no matter where you travel.

Need to book a hotel room or buy event tickets? The Co-op Connections app has you covered with travel discounts.

See for yourself by browsing the hotel and event ticket tabs within the app.

Central is looking for local business partners who would like to offer discounts to co-op members.

For more information, email editor@mycentral.coop. We would love to visit with you about how Co-op Connections can be a win-win for your business and Central members.

Don’t have a smartphone?

The traditional cards are available for pick up at our office.

Save th

OCTOBER 7, 2021 D e ATE Chandler • Guthrie • Perry •Stillwater