With the start of the 2024-2025 school year and more than 73,000 students back in Osceola County Schools, it’s a great time to revisit essential electrical safety and energy conservation tips as families adjust to their new routines.
Here are some key reminders:
- Stay Safe Around Power Lines: Teach children to avoid downed power lines and utility equipment like poles and green box transformers while walking or biking to school.
- Inspect Electrical Hazards: Check for frayed wires on extension cords and avoid letting electrical wires come into contact with liquids. Never insert anything but an electrical plug into an outlet.
- Turn Off Ceiling Fans: Switch off ceiling fans when leaving the room, especially if children are moving between rooms after school.
- Use Cold Water for Laundry: Save energy by washing clothes in cold water as school uniforms and other laundry accumulate.
- Turn Off Game Consoles: Be sure to turn off video game consoles when not in use to save energy.
- Plan and Reheat Meals: Cook larger meals at the beginning of the week and reheat smaller portions to reduce cooking time and energy consumption.
- Avoid Electrical Hazards in Workspaces: Ensure homework areas are free from water near electrical wires, including laptop power cords and extension cords.
- Avoid Metals in the Microwave: Never use the microwave with metallic items like silverware inside.
- Keep Liquids Away from Electric Blankets: Don’t bring liquids into bed when using an electric blanket.
- Dispose of Damaged Chargers: Throw away any cell phone chargers with frayed or exposed wires to prevent hazards.
As families settle into their routines, these tips can help maintain safety and efficiency at home.