Care should be taken as temperatures drop
heaters, resulting in approximately 300 deaths.
Bullhead City may not experience the harshest Old Man Winter extols on other areas of the nation, but cold is a relative term.
“This is a celebratory time of year and we want our members to be with their friends and family,” Campos said. “Electricity brings with it many benefits, but as with anything else in life, if there isn’t a healthy respect, a situation can turn sideways quickly.
When the thermometer drops below 60 degrees, it may feel downright cold to many Mohave Electric Cooperative members and others at higher elevations will experience even colder temperatures. A desire to feel warm may have many digging out space heaters from the attic or the back of a closet. It’s a nice amenity, but care needs to be taken if members are to remain safe until the air begins to warm in February and March.
“Never, under any circumstance, should our members be using a power strip or extension cord with a space heater.”
“This is a serious warning The rule of thumb is to always review our members need to heed.” manufacturer warnings before
Rick Campos, “This is a serious warning our MEC Chief Operating Officer members need to heed,” said Rick Campos, COO at MEC. “Members have heard the saying: ‘it can be a matter of life and death.’ That’s exactly right when discussing the proper use of space heaters.”
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 25,000 home fires a year are traced back to space
plugging in any electrical device. This is particularly important with space heaters.
“Power strips are not designed to handle the high-current flow needed for a space heater,” Campos said. “The result can be the strip overheating or catching fire.” The heating elements in a space heater can reach temperatures in excess of 500 degrees. “We simply ask our members to use space heaters safely,” Campos said. “Rule number one is to plug a space heater directly into a wall outlet. No other devices should be plugged into the same outlet.” Other important safety tips: u Keep space heaters at least three feet away from any flammable items; u Use them only on a flat, dry surface, and; u Turn space heaters off and unplug them if there is nobody in the room.
“The safety of our members is important,” Campos said. “For anyone who has used power strips without a problem to this point, my warning is that it only has to happen once. It’s best to be cautious and avoid a potential tragedy.” Currents Banner Mohave Electric Cooperative’s 2018 Boom Box Parade float. Employee generosity resulted in the donation of hundreds of toys that were later distributed to underprivileged children throughout the community. Visit www.mohaveelectric.com