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For Electric Cooperative Members

Stay Safe at Home All Year

Easy how-tos for peace of mind

Want to maintain a safe (and energy-efficient) house? Here are some simple how-to’s to keep your appliances, electrical outlets and alarms working all year long.

Clean Cold Coils

Refrigerators are one of the highest energy-consuming products in your home.

Vacuum the coils every three months to eliminate the dirt buildup that reduces efficiency and creates fire hazards.

First, unplug the refrigerator, then pull off or unscrew the vent plate that protects the coils. Clean the coils with a vacuum hose, using a brush to wipe off any dust you can see. When you’re done, replace the vent plate and plug in the fridge again.

Clean Air Is Safe Air

Air conditioners and heating systems need to be cleaned at the beginning of every season to keep them running safely and efficiently.

To clean yours, shut off power to the unit and remove the filter cover. Then use a vacuum extension brush on either the coils or the visible air fins. Pull out the filter and clean or replace according to the instructions in the manual. Outside, clear leaves and debris away from the condensing unit and hose off any dirt.

GFCIs Save Lives

Ground-fault circuit interrupters are designed to protect people from electrical shock and electrocution. If a GFCI senses any loss of current flowing in a circuit, it immediately switches off power to that circuit.

GFCIs can be installed at the main service panel or in place of ordinary outlets, typically in areas where water and electricity are in close proximity, such as a bathroom, garage, kitchen or basement.

Whether you have receptacle-type or circuit breaker-type GFCIs, pushing the TEST button on one should turn off power to the circuit. GFCIs should be tested monthly to ensure they’re working properly.