For Immediate Release

Contact: Kyla Kruse, 217-546-6815

Discover Energy Safety and Savings

October Is Energy Awareness Month

(SPRINGFIELD, Ill.) — Energy is a huge part of our lives each and every day. We use energy so often that most of the time, we really don’t think about it. That means most of the time we miss opportunities to stop wasting energy and use it more efficiently, and to help ensure the safety of our homes and families.

October is Energy Awareness Month, and the Energy Education Council is tweeting and posting tips daily on Facebook to help consumers stay safe in their use of energy and help them save money by using it more efficiently. Each tip is linked to a full-length article or video with more detailed information.

With winter right around the corner, October is a good time to take a look at the energy we use and to take steps to use less of it. Not only will we save money on our energy bills, we will produce environmental benefits as less power is generated. Take these steps as you get your home ready for the cold months ahead:

·         Seal leaks between door frames and windows with weather stripping or caulk.

·         Replace screens with storm windows and doors.

·         Make sure the furnace and heaters are in good working order.

·         Consider installing a programmable thermostat.

Efficiency expert Bob Dickey, member of the Energy Education Council’s Efficiency Task Force adds, “Lighting represents as much as 25 percent of your home’s electrical use, so it’s a big part of the monthly bill. Switching to more efficient light bulbs can help keep money in your pocket. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use one fourth of the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs. CFLs quickly pay for themselves and then generate longer term savings.”

National Fire Prevention Week is also during October—the 9th-15th. Smoke detectors should be checked every month, and the batteries should be replaced twice a year. The National Fire Prevention Agency reports that roughly 60 percent of reported home fire deaths happened in homes with no smoke alarms or alarms that weren’t working. Also, develop and practice an escape plan twice a year in case of a fire. A good plan is known by all household members and includes an outside meeting location away from danger of the fire.

The majority of electrical fires are preventable. The Energy Education Council and Safe Electricity offer some simple things to check for around the home:

·         Make sure light bulbs are correctly rated for the fixture in which they are being used.

• Keep lamps, especially those with halogen light bulbs, away from flammable materials such as drapes, clothing or paper. Turn them off when you leave the home.
• Look for cracked or damaged cords and loose fitting plugs on extension cords as well as appliance cords. Replace or repair damaged cords and plugs.

·         If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never remove the round grounding pin or force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

·         Replace any appliance or tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks.

• Switch plates and outlet covers that are discolored or warm to the touch indicate a problem that should be checked out. Immediately shut off light switches that are hot to the touch and have them professionally replaced. Have an electrician check the wiring in your home if you find popping and sizzling sounds in walls, lights that dim when other appliances are turned on, or frequently tripped circuits.
• Use extension cords only temporarily, not as permanent wiring. Don’t overload them.
• Do not place cords and wires in dangerous places such as under rugs, in high traffic areas where they can be trampled or in tight spaces where heat can build up.

·         To prevent overheating, allow air space around heat-producing appliances such as TVs, plug-in radios, stereo sets, computers and high-wattage lamps.

• Do not exceed 1,500 watts of appliance load for each outlet or circuit.

Take steps during Energy Awareness Month to stay safe and save energy. Get more information at EnergyEdCouncil.org.

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The Energy Education Council is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting electrical safety and energy efficiency. Established in 1952, the Council is headquartered within the University of Illinois Extension, and serves as a forum for diverse utility and energy organizations to collaborate on the mutually vital issues of efficiency and safety. Learn more at www.EnergyEdCouncil.org.