Make your school year bright

Make your school year bright

It’s back-to-school season – time to make sure you have bookbags, lunch boxes and other supplies needed for a successful return to school.

It’s also worth taking time in advance to check out the space where your kids will be doing their homework.

While we’ve all pressed the kitchen table into double duty from time to time, kids should ideally have a separate place to work that’s well-lit, comfortable and free from distractions.

But “well-lit” doesn’t have to mean “energy hog.” Here are tips to save energy in your kids’ homework spaces, as well as other parts of your house:

  • Switch to light-emitting diode bulbs where possible. LEDs use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 20 times longer than traditional incandescents. Because they’re so energy-efficient, LEDs can save you up to $135 over the life of the light bulb.
  • When buying new lighting fixtures or bulbs, look for the ENERGY STAR® label. They are the most energy-efficient on the market.
  • Keep light bulbs clean. Dirt can absorb up to 50 percent of the light.

If your child has a computer in his or her homework area, make sure the “sleep” mode is enabled. The computer will switch automatically to a low-energy mode when they are away, cutting energy usage by more than half. And, for extra credit, remind your child to turn off the computer when they’re done using it.

Our website features many more tips to help you get an A-plus in Energy Use 101 this year.

Don’t be scared: Be ready

Don’t be scared: Be ready

(Pictured above: A little bit of Hurricane Sandy’s storm damage, fall 2012.)

Hurricanes. They’re a drink in New Orleans, a college team in Miami, and a seasonal hazard all up and down the East Coast, especially starting this time of year.

The peak of activity for the Atlantic hurricane season usually takes place from mid-August to late October. These damaging storms don’t come this way too often, but when they do, they can cause a lot of problems.

September is National Preparedness Month, and that’s a worthy event. Still, you don’t have to wait until then to make sure you are ready for anything that might arise.

Take a look at our Project Envolve post for guidance on how to prepare a family plan that can help keep everyone safe and on the same page during a storm or other emergency.

As for us, we’re constantly monitoring the weather. If a serious storm threatens our service area, we’ll act well ahead of time to make repair crews and resources available to respond.

Take time to make a family emergency plan, prepare supplies and think about what you’d do if a major storm threatened your area. A little preparation today could make a big difference down the road.