As temperatures drop and families prepare for the colder months, Medina Electric Cooperative is urging you to prioritize both home safety and energy efficiency. Increased heating use and indoor activities during winter can significantly impact monthly bills, making preparation a key way to ensure comfort and maximize savings.

Safeguard Your Home Against Winter Hazards
The colder months often see an increase in home fires due to greater use of heating equipment, candles and electrical items. Focus on the following five safety checks:

1. Test Detectors and Alarms: Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are functioning properly. Test them monthly, dust the sensors and replace batteries annually.
2. Inspect Electrical Cords: Before using holiday lights, extension cords or portable heaters, inspect all cords for fraying or cracking. Crucially, never plug a space heater into a power strip. If using space heaters, choose models with an auto shut-off feature and maintain at least three feet of distance from flammable materials.
3. Avoid Overloading Outlets: Overloaded outlets and power strips can overheat and catch fire. Use power strips with surge protection and verify that they can handle the combined electrical load of attached devices.
4. Clean Your Fireplace Annually: For homes with fireplaces, regular maintenance is essential. Schedule a professional cleaning at least once a year to remove creosote buildup, a sticky substance that can ignite chimney fires. Cleaning also improves airflow and reduces the risk of carbon monoxide entering the home.
5. Practice Kitchen Safety: During the holiday season, be mindful of fire hazards in the kitchen. Never leave cooking food unattended on the stovetop and keep flammable items, such as dish towels, away from hot surfaces.

Boost Home Energy Efficiency and Savings
To maintain comfort while saving money on monthly bills, Medina EC encourages following energy efficient practices.

• Optimize Your Thermostat: When heating home, select the lowest comfortable thermostat setting and turn it down a few degrees when you are away from home or asleep.
• Seal Air Leaks: Use caulk and weatherstripping to seal air leaks around windows and exterior doors. Drafts force your heating system to work much harder to maintain a stable temperature.
• Stagger Appliance Use: Avoid running major appliances like dishwashers, ovens and dryers all at once. Use smaller countertop appliances where possible and run the dishwasher before bed.
• Check Heating Systems: Ensure your heating system is optimized for efficiency with regular maintenance. Replace clogged or dirty furnace filters as needed.
• Reduce Water Heating Costs: Set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to save energy, reduce costs and limit mineral buildup and corrosion inside the unit and pipes. Use cold water for laundry whenever possible.
• Eliminate Phantom Load: Unplug devices when not in use, as electronics in standby mode still consume energy. A great tip is to plug devices into a power strip so they can all be turned off with one switch.