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You’ve been good throughout 2018 and expect Santa to be generous.

That “generosity” often requires electricity; from computers to coff ee makers and smartphones to toothbrushes.

When too few outlets are available, many see a power strip as a simple solution. This can be a costly mistake for high-end electronic devices.

Most understand when too few outlets are available, a power strip is a relatively easy, cost-eff ective fi x. They are an extension cord with multiple outlets.

They may work well for many items around the house, provided they don’t contain computer chips.

“Household power surges can occur for a variety of reasons,” said Rick Campos, manager of engineering, operations, and energy services with Mohave Electric Cooperative. “The duration of a surge is generally short, less than a second.

“Ever wonder why some appliances have a short electrical cord? It’s because many appliance owner’s manuals instruct not to use an extension cord. Doing so may damage the appliance and can cause a low or high voltage, which may cause damage to other appliances, or at a minimum be the reason you have to reset your digital clock.”

A power surge can be explained as a sudden increase or decrease in voltage within a home. Despite the brevity, the result can be troublesome.

Power strips, although aff ordable, do not provide protection from surges.

The best insurance is to invest slightly more in a surge protector.

“They look similar and are often located in the same area as the power strips,” Campos said. “It’s important to read the packaging. This device can save people from costly repairs.”

A surge protector acts as a shield and provides considerably more protection than plugging into an outlet or power strip.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, over $825 million was paid on more than 100,000 claims resulting from lightning and surge damage to electronics.

“Among a member’s top concerns should be computers and televisions,” Campos said. “The internal components of these machines are sensitive and just a minor spike up or down

can cause damage. Other household items to consider are air conditioners, gaming systems, and newer refrigerators.

“The most critical factor is whether a device uses mechanical or electronic controls. Those with electronic controls will be more susceptible to a surge.”

And be sure to check it periodically.

“Surge protectors have a light and if it is not working, it may be time to replace it,” Campos said.

For members that want to improve their protection to the next level, an uninterruptible power supply, known as a UPS, goes a step further. This device off ers surge protection and the ability to plug in multiple devices, but a battery backup protects against a sudden loss of power.

After further consideration, a surge protector might be the present to open fi rst.

How to best protect your Christmas bonanza

Check the device to be sure you are purchasing what you want. This surge protector also has battery backup to allow for the safe shutdown of electronic devices.

December 2018 Currents Page 2

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Mohave Electric Cooperative wants its members to enjoy a safe and happy holiday.

To better equip members with information to avoid potential pratfalls, below are simple tips to avoid dangerous situations.

The holidays are a time for celebration, not statistics such as U.S. fire departments responding to an average of 200 home fires that started with Christmas trees between 2011 and 2015 according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Safety doesn’t end with the tree. Over 800 home fires in the same time frame were the result of decorations, excluding the tree.

The good news is there are easy ways to sharply reduce the possibility of turning the holiday season into long telephone conversations with insurance agents.

Because all the tips are important, MEC presents the 12 Days of Christmas Electrical Safety (shortened to nine) in no particular order.

u On the first day of Christmas our members check their decorations and do not use those in poor condition. Problems such as damaged plugs, outlets, or stripped wiring can cause electrical shock or a fire. Also, use caution if decorating near power lines. Outdoor tree decorations should remain at least 15 feet from any power lines and stay clear of service wires at the house.

u On the second day of Christmas our members check the number of available outlets. Overloaded outlets and faulty wires can cause household fires.

u On the third day of Christmas our members check how many light strands can be safely connected. Never connect more than three strands of incandescent lights. It is prudent to look at the number of available sockets and plan the lighting decorations accordingly. Do not use “Vacation’s” Clark Griswold as a role model. As finances permit, consider purchasing LED light, which use less energy and run cooler than traditional incandescent lights.

u On the fourth day of Christmas our members shut lights off. Have lights on a timer that shut off at bedtime or simply

unplug them when leaving the house or before going to sleep.

u On the fifth day of Christmas our members checked extension cords. Do not use indoor-only extension cords outside and be sure those used outside are marked for outdoor use.

u On the sixth day of Christmas our members watered their live trees. Dry trees are a serious fire hazard, so they should be watered daily. When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness and cut 1-2 inches from the base of the truck just before placing it in a stand and filling it with water. Place all trees at least 3 feet from any heat source, such as fireplaces and space heaters.

u On the seventh day of Christmas our members bought battery-operated candles. Almost half of home decoration fires are the result of traditional candles. Traditional candles should never be near combustible items and never left unattended.

u On the eighth day of Christmas our members check the electrical cords. Cords should never be placed under rugs or furniture legs, stapled, or nailed.

After getting things in place, take another look to be sure there are no tripping hazards.

u On the ninth day of Christmas our members kept watch in the kitchen. According to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking equipment is the leading cause of home cooking fires. Once a meal is ready, be sure all burners and the oven are off. Children should always be supervised in a busy kitchen and it is a wise practice to turn pot and pan handles inward to avoid curious hands.

It is important to follow directions in regards to the number of light strands that can be safely connected. Never connect more than three strands of incandescent lights. In addition, remember overloaded outlets and faulty wires can cause household fires.

The Griswalds, from the movie Vacation, should not be viewed as role models when it comes to Christmas lights.

Holiday safety

MEC presents the abbreviated Nine Days of Christmas

December 2018 Currents Page 3

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National Night Out, Fire Safety Fair resounding successes

The crowd continued to grow after the doors opened for National Night Out at the MEC Member Services Office on Oct. 3, left. Among the attractions was face painting, above, and the Bureau of Land Management, below, brought some live reptiles, including two rattlesnakes and a Gila monster.

Approximately 500 people attended the Fire Safety Fair at Community Park in Bullhead City on Oct. 13. MEC was there with the Hazard Hamlet display, above, and the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit conducted some demonstrations.

The Bullhead City Fire Department conducted an extraction demonstration at the Fire Safety Fair, complete with the Jaws of Life.

December 2018 Currents Page 4

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It takes place each year, but neither the joy nor sorrow diminish at the end of the competition for the Washington Youth Tour.

The joy comes from naming the winners and the sorrow from telling other hopefuls they won’t be making the trip to the Capitol of the United States.

“You wish all the students could go,” said Heath Barker, chief information officer at Mohave Electric Cooperative. “They all put in the time and effort, but

we can only send six.”

The finalists were selected after three judges independently reviewed and graded a short essay by high school juniors. The 12 best average scores were picked to advance. A five-minute oral presentation on Oct. 25 was the deciding factor.

Four members of the community served as judges for the oral presentation and ranked the students based on specific criteria.

The six winners are: Anna Kuzminsky, Kyle Colby, Kaileb Bayliss, Jacob Thompson, and Caleb Fearing from Mohave High School and Madina Roshan from Mohave Accelerated Schools.

Bailey Edgington was named the alternate and will make the trip if any of the six is unable to go.

From June 13-20, 2019, the six students representing MEC will receive an all-expenses paid educational experience in Washington, D.C., excluding items such as souvenirs. Adult chaperones accompany the students.

The students will have an opportunity to visit historic sites, spend time at the Smithsonian museums, tour memorials, hear about the importance of the cooperative model, and meet their member of Congress.

“This is a unique opportunity for juniors in our rural communities to experience history from a hands-on perspective,” Barker said. “These kids will return with a deeper understanding of U.S. and world history.”

In 2018, MEC raised the number of winners from two to six, dramatically improving the odds for interested students to win.

Any high school junior whose parents or guardians are an MEC member is eligible to apply.

To garner interest, MEC staff distributed press releases to area media, conducted presentations to three Bullhead City area high schools, distributed applications to all high schools in the service area, posted information on the website and Facebook page, and requested morning announcements be read the week of the application deadline.

This marks the 27th year MEC has selected area students to participate in the Washington Youth Tour, which is funded with assigned capital credits at no cost to the cooperative.

“Mohave Electric is proud to sponsor this competition,” Barker said. “Today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders and this is a chance for six youths to take that first step.”

No easy decisionJudges name winnersfor educational D.C. trip

Monica Houltram, one of the past winners, was in attendance.

Anna Kuzminsky, Kyle Colby, and Caleb Fearing, above, all from Mohave High School, celebrate following their presentations Oct. 25. Below, the winners, left to right: Fearing, Jacob Thompson, Bailey Edgington (alternate), and Kuzminsky, of Mohave High School, Madina Roshan, from Mohave Accelerated Schools, and Kaileb Bayliss and Colby, of MHS.