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little bundle of joy comes a big responsibility. Follow these guidelines to keep a baby safe from electrical dangers.


Bringing Home [A Safe] Baby Preparing for a baby is no small task. Along with a


Splish, splash safely A baby’s fi rst bathtub may be on a countertop or in the


kitchen sink. Be mindful of outlets in the area. Be sure they are special ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets that will minimize a shock if exposed to water during splashy bath time adventures. Also, set your water heater to 120 de- grees or below to help prevent scalding and to save energy.


While you were sleeping Sleep may be fl eeting with a new baby, but there are pre-


Techie Baby


cautions. Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms outside all bedrooms and near fuel-burning heaters. Follow current guidelines on crib and mattress safety and sleep positions.


New and improved electronics come out every day. Look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark on home electronics. UL tests items for product safety to give you a degree of comfort in new purchases. Follow manufacturer- recommended safety measures on baby monitors, keeping cords contained and properly mounting gear. Take care not to overload outlets with electronics.


Don’t Blink Before you know it, your baby


will be mobile and new respon- sibilities


room looks safe, but peer down to a baby’s level. The new perspective may alert you to outlets, cords, and other hazards within a child’s reach.


arise. You may think a


For more information visit "http://www.safetyathome.com"www.safetyathome.com


Justin Willis


Saving Money is No Joke


We’ve all heard the joke: How many (people) does it take to change a lightbulb? While the comedic value of the answer sometimes leaves a bit to be desired, the underlying principle—simple changes can needlessly get complicated—stays the same. The average home contains 40 light fi xtures, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Thanks to a series of staggered federal standards and more lighting choices than ever before, the average homeowner could save $50 every year by using more energy effi cient lightbulbs. This year, the fi rst of several federal lightbulb


effi ciency standards kicked in, requiring manufacturers to stop making 100-watt (W) incandescent bulbs in favor of ones using less electricity to produce the same amount of light (lumens). This doesn’t mean the outmoded bulbs went away—you can still fi nd old stock at stores around town. But keep in mind that those traditional incandescent bulbs waste 90 percent of your lighting costs as heat. If you don’t want to stray too far from the bulbs you’re used to, consider halogen incandescent lightbulbs. Color options and dimming abilities mirror their time-tested forebearers, but they cut energy consumption by 25 percent and last three times longer. Another style we’ve championed for years is the


compact fl uorescent lamp (CFL). These swirly bulbs slash energy use by 75 percent compared to traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. But for folks who don’t like the pigtail CFL shape or who worry about the very small amount of mercury in these bulbs, another, brighter option looms on the horizon: light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These solid-state products have been used in electronics since the 1960s, and manufacturers are ramping up efforts to transform them into the perfect replacement bulb. LEDs require 75 percent to 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last 25 times longer—by far the longest lifespan yet. DOE estimates it’ll take more than six years for


a $40, 800-lumen (60-W-equivalent) LED to pay for itself. But investments in manufacturing and increased demand should help drive down costs. By 2021, LED prices are expected to drop by a factor of 10, and that’s good news for anyone who enjoys the thought of only changing a lightbulb once every 20 years or so. In January 2013, a new set of lightbulb


Alex Velasquez


Justin Willis and Alex Velasquez recently completed training at climbing school presented by Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives’ Safety and Loss Control in Oklahoma City.


effi ciency standards fall into place, this time halting production of ineffi cient 75-W incandescent bulbs. A year later, household lightbulbs using between 40-W to 100-W must consume at least 28 percent less energy than classic bulbs, saving Americans an estimated $6 billion to $10 billion in lighting costs annually. So what’s the punchline? Every time you change


a lightbulb, buy a more effi cient replacement. No matter which kind you opt for, you’ll save money every time you fl ip a light switch—and that’s nothing to chuckle about.


Learn more at “http://www.EnergySavers.gov/Lighting”www. EnergySavers.gov/Lighting.


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