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By tacking energy waste, you can reduce your energy costs this spring. Spring cleaning is a time-honored custom in millions of U.S. households. It’s when you tackle the dust and grime that accumulated over a long, hard winter. You can also use this time to take on energy waste as well. With these actions, you can enjoy a tidier home and lower energy bills, too! Get a better view While cleaning windows, look for loose panes, cracks, or poor caulking, which can lead to air leaks. Air sealing your windows is a simple project you can do yourself. If you have storm windows, replace them with screens to provide natural cooling. Brighten things up Dust accumulation on light bulbs blocks a considerable amount of light. Wipe off bulbs to get more light for your energy dollar. Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR®-certified LEDs. They use 75% less energy and last much longer. Clean behind the fridge When vacuuming and dusting, remember to clean behind the refrigerator. Dust buildup causes the refrigerator to run less efficiently. Cleaning out the inside of your fridge is also a good idea. An overstuffed refrigerator and freezer can restrict airflow and use more energy. Clear the air Dust accumulation around heating and cooling vents could be a sign of leaky ductwork. Remove vents and clean them. Vacuum inside ducts as far as you can reach. Have your air conditioning system cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional. Also, blocked vents impede airflow, making your cooling system work harder. Make sure vents are unobstructed by rugs or furniture. Check filters A dirty HVAC filter is less effective at keeping your indoor air clean. Replace it regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Your dehumidifier and air purifier probably also have filters that need to be cleaned or replaced. Range hood filters collect grease, smoke, and cooking odors; spring is the perfect time to clean them. Consult the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning instructions. Protect yourself and the environment Many household cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that can pollute the environment, reduce indoor air quality, and cause health problems. Use nontoxic cleaning solutions and methods to reduce your environmental footprint and your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Look for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice label. By taking on energy waste, you can reduce your energy costs this spring and all year long.

Electricity is a safe and reliable form of energy. However, it can be dangerous if not treated properly. The following is a checklist of items you can use throughout your home to help protect your family. Common sense and good safety habits are the best protection against electrical hazards. Whole house Make sure lightbulbs are the appropriate wattage for all fixtures. If small children are present, install covers on all unused outlets. Keep electrical cords away from foot traffic, and ensure they’re not covered by rugs or furniture. Don’t use extension cords on a long-term basis. Avoid plugging multiple devices into one outlet. All 15 and 20-amp circuit breakers in your electrical panel should have arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) capability to protect electrical wiring and your house from fire due to arcing. Bathrooms Never use electrical devices, such as radios or hair dryers, when using the bathtub. Install only ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected outlets in the bathroom. GFCIs protect people from shock hazards. Unplug small appliances when not in use. Kitchen Unplug countertop appliances when not in use. Locate appliance cords away from heat sources, such as the stove or range. Make sure all kitchen outlets are GFCI-protected. Bedrooms Avoid drinking liquid when using an electric blanket or heating pad. Don’t cover an electric blanket when in use. Make sure electric blankets are in good condition; check for cracks or breaks in electrical cords. Turn off electric blankets and heating pads when not in use if they don’t have a timer. Basement Keep the electrical panel free from obstructions, and make sure your hands and the floor are dry before touching the panel. Install GFCI protection in outlets near clothes washers, wash tubs, or all outlets if the area around them is damp. Place portable heaters and dehumidifiers on a stable and level surface, at least 3 feet from walls and other objects. Outdoors Install watertight covers on all outlets so that the outlet is protected, even with a cord plugged in. Make sure all outdoor outlets are GFCI-protected. Ensure power tools are in good condition and wires aren’t cracked or frayed. Store power tools indoors to keep them from being damaged by water or excessive heat. When working outdoors, use only weather-resistant extension cords marked for outdoor use. Power lines may be underground as well. Before digging, call 811 to have utility lines marked. These tips are for informational purposes only and aren’t meant to supersede state or local building codes. Contact your local building inspector for information regarding requirements in your area. Remember that common sense and good safety habits are the best protection against electrical hazards.

Their jobs are dangerous enough. When restoring power to the community, just give ‘em some room. Move over and slow down! In 2018, Iowa expanded   its move over or slow down law requiring motorists to move over or slow down when approaching ANY stationary vehicle with flashing lights activated, including passenger vehicles with hazard lights. Those who disobey the law could receive hefty fines or potentially lose their driver’s license. The law (Iowa Code section 321.323A) is particularly important to our co-op because it helps keep our line workers and maintenance workers safe as they often need to perform complex and dangerous work with electric equipment on the shoulder of the road. And even though our employees set out caution signs and orange cones, wear high visibility gear and turn on their vehicles’ emergency lights, other motorists often fail to give them the room they need to do their job safely. Their jobs are dangerous enough… just give ‘em some room! It’s not just a courtesy; it’s the law to move over or slow down to keep everyone safe. According to Iowa Code section 321.323A, Iowa law requires motorists to: Change lanes or slow down, absent any other direction from a peace officer, when approaching the following vehicles: A stationary emergency vehicle that has its flashing lights activated. A stationary tow, recovery, maintenance, construction, solid waste, or recycling collection vehicle that has its flashing lights activated. Any stationary motor vehicle, including a passenger vehicle, that is continually displaying its emergency signal lamps (i.e., standard hazard lights). Yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights or giving an audible signal. Always move to the right, stop, and wait until the vehicle has passed before proceeding. Source: Iowa Department of Transportation ( https://iowadot.gov/rules  )   When you’re behind the wheel, keep your eyes on the road and make room for utility workers and others who are stopped on the shoulder. Just give ‘em some room!   For more information, visit the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ “Move Over Iowa” website at https://www.iowarec.org/who-we-are/move-over-iowa

The winter months can bring snow, ice, and windy conditions, creating additional hazards for drivers. In the event of an accident, it is essential to be prepared. Automobile crashes constantly present danger, but when electricity is involved, decisions made in the moments after the accident are especially crucial. 24 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy or icy pavement. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration, 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy or icy pavement. Here are tips to help drivers stay safe in their cars and on the roads this winter. Before the winter storm Prepare ahead for cold temperatures, snow, and ice with seasonal maintenance on your car to ensure: Batteries are charged. Tires have sufficient tread. The spare tire is inflated. Jumper cables are in good condition. A winterized car emergency kit is on board. Windshield wipers work. Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals work. The gas tank is at least half full. Create a car emergency kit Be especially cautious when driving, and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, which should include: Blankets Flares Ice scraper Portable shovel Sand or kitty litter for traction First aid kit Phone charger Flashlight and extra batteries Warm hat Non-perishable snacks Bottled water If you are stranded in your car after an accident, watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.  Observe the following precautions: Do not stay in one position for too long. Stay awake. To avoid strain on your heart, do not overexert yourself. Watch for signs such as a change in skin color, numbness, shivering, slurred speech, loss of coordination, or confusion. Downed power lines Due to the potential for a winter storm to bring down power lines, individuals should only venture outside if necessary. Slow down when driving in icy conditions, and always keep a lookout for hazardous conditions or downed power lines. Also, watch for debris near downed poles and lines, as it may also be energized. If you see a car in an accident with a power pole, your first instinct may be to rush toward the vehicle to offer help. Always remember to keep your distance from the vehicle and all electrical equipment that has been damaged. Instruct those in the car to stay inside until the power has been shut off. If you must exit the vehicle because it is on fire, jump clear of it with your feet together and without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time. Keeping your feet together, shuffle or “bunny hop” to safety to ensure that you will not have different strengths of electric current running from one foot to another. Keep in mind that a downed line does not need to be sparking to be energized. It is best to assume that all low and downed lines are energized and dangerous. Never drive over a downed line, as it could pull down a pole or other equipment, creating additional hazards. If you see a downed power line, do not exit your vehicle. The safest action is to remain inside. Contact 911 to notify the utility immediately. For utility crews, repairing damaged power lines is especially dangerous during storm conditions. The increased hazards mean that extra time and attention must be dedicated to ensure power is safely restored. Have patience while lineworkers restore power in these adverse conditions. Remember to observe safety precautions and always be prepared for driving in dangerous winter conditions. For more information on electrical safety, visit  SafeElectricity.org .

Generators are a great source of backup power in the event of an outage, provided they're used safely. Here are a few tips. Never run your generator in an enclosed space or indoors, especially near doors and windows. Always store and operate your generator in dry conditions, and never touch it with wet hands. Never plug the generator into a wall outlet or attempt to connect it directly to your electric panel. This can send electricity back onto the grid, increasing the risk of electrocution for your family, your neighbors, and lineworkers. Keep these tips in mind as you operate your generator to help you and your family stay safe during an outage.

Ensure your holidays are merry and bright—and safe—by following a few tips on lighting displays. Every holiday season, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 200 home fires that started with lighted trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Electrical problems were the cause of one-third of these incidents. Fortunately, these fires are not common; however, when they do occur, they are almost always serious. To make sure your holiday season remains cheerful, keep the following safety tips in mind while decorating your home: Use lights that have been tested for safety . Look for the "UL" mark on the tag, which indicates that Underwriters Laboratories, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, has approved the lights. Inspect lights for broken or cracked sockets , frayed wires, or loose connections. If you encounter any of these problems, discard the lights. Limit the number of light strands to three per outlet . For added safety, use a power strip with a built-in circuit breaker instead of a wall outlet. Replace incandescent lights with LEDs . They generate less heat, making them a safer choice both indoors and outdoors. LED lights also last much longer and use 75% less electricity — two additional reasons to make the switch. Use the right lights . For outdoor decorations, use only light strings and extension cords rated for outdoor use. Be careful with extension cords . Avoid running extension cords in high-traffic areas where people could trip over them. Don't hide extension cords under rugs or beneath furniture, where they could fray or overheat. Turn off lights late at night or when no one is home . Make safety more convenient by plugging decorations into timer controls, which automatically turn lights on and off according to a set schedule. Plug safely outdoors . Make sure outdoor lights are plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. These are designed to protect against shock by automatically turning off when a change in electrical flow occurs. Before you brighten up the holidays with indoor and outdoor light displays that everyone will love, keep everyone safe with these tips.

National Cooperative Month recognizes that we are "Powered by Purpose." Each October, cooperatives across the country recognize the value of the cooperative business model and celebrate what it means to be a member of a cooperative. Owned and democratically governed by the members we serve, we are “Powered by Purpose,” which means our commitment to our members goes beyond our power lines. We make decisions that ensure safe, reliable, cost-effective power, but we also support community programs through donations, volunteering, and initiatives that benefit local residents.  Co-ops exist to serve our members, our neighbors, and our communities. When you flip a switch in your home, you're not just accessing electricity from any utility company. You're tapping into a network built by neighbors, for neighbors. You own a piece of this cooperative, and your voice matters in how we operate. From our boardroom to your living room, democratic member control is at work. At its core, being a cooperative means we are member-owned and locally controlled. Members have a voice in how our co-op operates. Unlike investor-owned utilities, our co-op doesn’t exist to make profits for distant shareholders. We exist to serve you—our members, our neighbors, and our communities. That purpose is what sets us apart. It’s why we were founded, and it’s what continues to drive every decision we make. As we celebrate National Cooperative Month, remember this: you're not just a customer paying a bill. You're an owner with equity, a neighbor with a voice, and a community member with the power to shape how we serve everyone. Thank you for placing your trust in us. Together, we're not just keeping the lights on—we're building a brighter, more sustainable future for our community. Because when we say we're "Powered by Purpose," that purpose is you. This National Cooperative Month, we challenge you to discover everything your cooperative membership offers. Whether you're interested in reducing your energy bills, learning about new efficient technologies, or getting more involved in cooperative governance, we're here to help you make the most of being a member-owner. Contact us today, and let's explore how your cooperative membership can work harder for you.

It's spooky how much energy waste happens while you sleep. Lots of things can keep you up at night, but your energy bill shouldn't be one of them. Energy makes your life easier and more comfortable, but wasting it while you're asleep is like something out of a bad dream. Don't be scared. ..!  Open  your eyes and take steps to eliminate these late-night energy losses. Out-of-control thermostat Adjusting the thermostat at night or when you're not at home is one of the best ways to reduce your energy costs. However, it's easy to forget, and the thought of getting out of a comfortable bed to change the temperature doesn't sound very appealing. Programmable thermostats make things simple by automatically adjusting temperatures based on whatever schedule you set. Newer "smart" models can even learn your habits and adjust accordingly. They know when you're sleeping and when you're awake, so you don't have to worry about it. Energy-sucking vampires You've seen them late at night, those tiny lights from cable boxes or game consoles glowing in the dark. These and other energy vampires are lurking in your home all night long, drawing power and draining your energy budget while you sleep. Slay the energy vampires by unplugging chargers and other devices that you don't use very often. Plug other stuff into smart power strips, which automatically cut power to devices when they're not in use. Lights burning the midnight oil You probably don't have any oil lamps in your home, but leaving lights on all night can waste a lot of electricity and money. Common culprits include lights left on in the laundry room, bathrooms, and outdoors, as well as decorative lights. Go through your house and turn off all lights before you hit the sack. Timing controls are a good fit for decorative lights. Occupancy or motion sensors might be a good choice to control outdoor lights, as well as areas that you don't visit very often, such as a work room or storage room. Your nightmare's over. Now you can rest easy and wake up to a more efficient home and lower energy bills.

Consider cybersecurity as “cyber hygiene” to keep your home and family protected from criminals out to steal your personal information. October is recognized as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it is a great time for us to raise awareness about cybersecurity and ways to keep your home and family safe.   Electric co-ops protect the private information of members and ensure hackers don’t tamper with the reliability of the electric grid, but consumers have a lot at stake, too. Think about losing all the photos on your smartphone or having bank or credit card information stolen from your computer.   Cyber criminals all over the world are on the prowl through the internet, and they’re getting better at what they do.   Consider thinking of cybersecurity as “cyber hygiene.” Just like washing your hands will help keep you from getting bacteria, there are simple things you can do to protect yourself online. The first step is to make cyber hygiene a habit by incorporating basic security steps into your daily mindset.   Here are the six tips for protecting yourself from internet danger at work and home, as recommended by top cybersecurity experts:   Create a strong password. If your passwords are exposed, cybercriminals can buy them and gain unlimited access to your accounts and sensitive information. Additionally, if you’ve used a password for multiple online accounts, cybercriminals will be able to access any accounts that use the password. So, if you use the same password for multiple accounts, it’s time to change your password to a new, strong password! Make your passwords complex and even consider a “passphrase,” which contains a phrase or sentence. Keep software updated. Notices of updates don’t just add flashy features to your apps—they often add security patches to protect against new security threats. Updates usually come automatically from the software company, whether it’s for the computer, mobile device operating system, one of the many functional apps (like Facebook), or a link to your favorite sports team. But take a level of caution on updates as well. You can check regularly for updates either from your device or by going to the application’s website. Be suspicious of update notices that arrive by email, especially if they claim to require urgent action. Visit the application’s website to make sure the update is legitimate. Don’t click on any link or attached files unless you know where it will take you.  A lot of the computer hacking problems you hear about in the news result from people clicking on links or attached files that infect their computers or mobile devices. An email can even be disguised to look like it’s coming from your best friend, so simple diligence can be extremely beneficial. Take a moment and move your cursor over a link to reveal the full address before clicking it. You’ll see a lot of confusing symbols, but you should also be able to recognize the name of the legitimate source. If you don’t, find another way to verify the link. Don't use flash drives. Those little thumb drives or jump drives you insert into your USB port may be handy ways to share lots of photos or other large documents, but as your mother might say, you don’t know where they’ve been.  These portable memory devices have been another common way computers get infected with damaging software. Instead, learn to use Dropbox or other software solutions for transferring large files. Stay safe on social media. Social media is a popular place for staying connected and up on the latest news and trends. It’s no surprise that cybercriminals take advantage of its popularity to try to scam you to gain access to your money, personal information, and online accounts. Be cautious about entering contests, being lured to apply for job offers and “work-from-home” opportunities, or accepting friend requests from people you don’t recognize or even people you may know but to whom you are already connected. If anyone asks for payment up front or promises free money, discounted items, or prizes that are too good to be true...it probably is. Protect the kids. Don't forget that children also need to be aware and practice good cyber hygiene. They should know not to send out information such as birthdates and other ID numbers, as well as details like how long the family will be away on vacation. Learn to use parental control options on your hardware and software.   Remember, good cyber hygiene doesn't require technical expertise, just consistent habits and healthy skepticism. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and make cybersecurity a priority for you and your family every day of the year.

As many of our members turn their attention to the upcoming harvest season, we encourage our agricultural communities to also focus on personal safety and the dangers that may exist during fall operations.     “Safe Fields. Powerful Yields.”  is a safety campaign developed for our area agricultural producers, as we often receive an uptick in powerline contacts reported during spring planting and fall harvest. While contact with equipment and a powerline can cause costly outages and repair downtime, our top priority is the safety of equipment operators.   Safe Fields. Powerful Yields.  reminds agricultural producers to be aware of powerlines in and around their equipment, fields, and other locations associated with their operations. Our campaign kit includes posters, table tents, and window clings communicating valuable life-saving information on what to do and who to call when seconds count.   If your equipment comes into contact with an energized or downed power line, contact 9-1-1 immediately and stay inside the equipment until the power is de-energized. In the event of smoke or fire, exit the cab by making a solid jump out of the cab (without touching it) and hop away to safety. If you make contact with a power line, always assume it is energized. Downed lines can energize the ground around them up to 35 feet away. Use a spotter and deploy flags to maintain safe distances from power lines and other electrical equipment when working in the field. Maintain a 10-foot clearance around all utility equipment in all directions. Consider the equipment and cargo extensions of your vehicle. Lumber, hay, tree limbs, irrigation pipes, augers, and even bulk materials can also conduct electricity.   Safe Fields. Powerful Yields.  is a safety program developed by Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO), an Iowa electric generation and transmission power cooperative headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, which provides wholesale electric and transmission services to seven electric distribution cooperatives in western Iowa, including ours. If you would like to receive a Safe Fields. Powerful Yields.  farm safety awareness kit containing the information detailed in this article in an easy-to-reference poster, table tent, and window cling, visit NIPCO’s safety education page at www.nipco.coop/safety-education  and scroll down to the Safe Fields. Powerful Yields.  section or call our co-op office.   Planting seeds of safety when working around power lines can be the difference between safe harvests and one interrupted by a costly contact with energized power lines.   ​It’s more than a field. It’s a life .

With the changing season, you have some work to do. The weather is becoming colder and the nights longer. At the same time, summer heat, humidity, and storms may have taken a toll on your home and property. With the changing season, you have some work to do. Here are some indoor and outdoor maintenance tips to help your family stay safe and comfortable this fall and winter while also saving energy. Inside Check your heating system . Hire a qualified professional to inspect and clean your heating system. Doing so will help ensure efficient performance and alert you to any potential maintenance or repair issues. Change your furnace filter . Dirty filters restrict airflow, causing your heating system to work harder to maintain your desired comfort level. Change your furnace filter regularly, following the manufacturer's instructions. Clean your chimney . Hire a qualified professional to clean your chimney. Cleaning typically includes an inspection for soot buildup, obstructions, cracks in the chimney liner, and signs of water damage. Air seal your basement . Check for air leaks around pipes or wiring holes on outside walls. Seal any leaks with expandable spray foam. Also, check for gaps where the wall meets the ceiling. Fill smaller gaps with caulk; fill larger gaps by stuffing in pieces of insulation. Test detectors . Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them to ensure they work correctly. Wired detectors should also have fresh battery backups. Replace any detectors that are 10 years old or older. Outside Seal windows and doors . Check windows and exterior doors for gaps that allow warm air to escape. Seal any gaps with caulk or weatherstripping. Look at outdoor lighting . As nights become longer, check outdoor security lights and switch out bulbs at or near the end of their life. LEDs are highly efficient, last longer than conventional bulbs, and work well in cold temperatures. Clear gutters and downspouts . Blocked gutters can keep water from melting snow from draining. This can lead to the buildup of ice dams. Clear gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris. Trim trees away from your house . Heavy ice and snow can cause tree branches to break off and fall to the ground. If they are hanging over your roof, they can cause serious damage. Maintain your generator . Make sure your generator is ready to go if needed. Change the oil and the fuel filters, as well as the spark plug and air filter, as recommended. Start it up and let it run for a few minutes to test it. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines regarding maintenance and safe operation. Sustain your snowblower . Before the snow falls, change the oil and the spark plug on your snow blower. Inspect belts and auger paddles for wear and tear, and replace them as needed. Check the shave plate and skid shoes for wear, and reverse or replace them as necessary. Stock up Make sure you have everything you need to stay safe and warm during extreme weather. These include: Emergency supplies, such as blankets, flashlights, non-perishable food, and a first-aid kit. Fuel for your generator and snowblower should be stored in a safe place, away from your living space. Adequate supplies of rock salt or other deicers. With a bit of time and effort now, you'll be ready no matter what the weather has to offer this autumn and winter.

Plan your routes carefully, especially when entering and exiting fields. (Photo: Safe Electricity) National Farm Safety and Health Week is observed from September 21 to 27. As Iowa farmers prepare for another busy harvest season, we want to remind everyone about a critical safety message that could save your life: Look Up and Live. Every year, agricultural accidents involving electrical infrastructure pose a serious risk to farmers and their families. With corn and soybean harvests in full swing across our cooperative's service territory, now is the perfect time to review essential electrical safety practices. Before entering any field, take a moment to survey your surroundings. Look for overhead powerlines, guy wires, and electrical equipment that may pose hazards to your operations. Modern agricultural equipment continues to grow taller and wider, making contact with electrical infrastructure an increasing concern. Grain augers, combines, and other machinery can easily reach heights that bring them dangerously close to power lines. Maintain a minimum clearance of 10 feet from all overhead lines when operating equipment. This includes not just the equipment itself, but also any attachments, booms, or raised components. Remember that power lines can sag, especially during hot weather or when heavily loaded. What appears to be adequate clearance in the morning may become dangerous by afternoon. Plan your routes carefully, taking into account the location of electrical infrastructure. When moving equipment between fields, scout the path ahead of time and identify potential hazards. Contact our cooperative if you need assistance identifying electrical hazards or if vegetation near powerlines needs attention. Your family depends on you returning home safely each day. This harvest season, make "Look Up and Live" your constant reminder to stay alert and stay safe around electrical infrastructure.