Toolbox Talk: Dressing for Work Outside

Tags

Safety, Toolbox Talks

It’s February and you still have a few outside projects that need to be completed on your honey-do list, but, gee it’s cold outside! Before you head out the door, make sure you are dressed for the weather.   It may look nice from inside your house but looks can be deceiving!  Here are some tips on what to wear to keep you safe and warm.

Start from the inside out.  Insulated underwear and 2 medium weight socks are a good place to begin—2 medium weight socks are much better than 1 heavy pair.  The next layer begins with a long sleeve shirt—preferably wool—and a pair of pants that fit.  Pants that are too baggy or too long can cause you to trip or get caught on something.  Should you need a belt be sure to run any extra length through  remaining belt loops; this could save you from getting pulled into the piece of machinery you are working with. Next you will need a heavy duty pair of shoes with a thick sole, not your summer flip flops or your worn out tennis shoes with holes in them.

Finally a warm hat, work gloves-with no holes, of course, and a warm jacket that fits.  You might want to check for tears or dangling pieces to prevent your jacket from getting caught on something.

This may seem like a lot of prep work before even going outside, but if it saves you from one accident or frost bite, it is well worth the time. 

Now that your list is complete outside, take a minute and check any exposed skin for frost bite when you come back in.  If you see any skin that appears slightly flushed at first and then becomes white or grayish-yellow, you may have frost bite.  Warm the area slowly in cool water—do not rub with snow or your hand.   If you continue to have problems contact your physician.  Keep warm and keep safe!

 

The Lowdown on Light Bulbs

Tags

Lamps, Light Bulbs, Lighting, Saving Energy

Here at the IPE office, we’ve been collecting articles on the phase-out of incandescent lamps and the lighting technologies that will replace them.  Here they are for your reference! 

Read the Label: Inform consumers about new lamp labeling

LEDs Are Everywhere: Light-emitting diodes and the Code

Going Into Effect – an article on the 2012 phase-out of 75W incandescent lamps.

Sylvania’s 4th Annual ‘Socket Survey’ Finds Americans Aware of Incandescent Phase-Out – Statistics on American attitudes towards the incandescent phase-out and new lighting technologies. 

Change lightbulbs: Spotlight on lighting tech

Efficient Lighting Technologies

Toolbox Talk: Step Up Safely

Tags

Holiday Decorating, Safety, step ladders, Toolbox Talks

Time to drag out the ladder and complete those last few outdoor maintenance items before the winter sets in, but before you start to step up on that ladder, take a moment to make sure it is safe. 

Ladders are the biggest hazards of overhead work and proper ladder maintenance and ladder use are a must. 

There are a variety of ladders available 4-16 foot step ladders, single-section ladders from 8-20 feet, and extension   ladders from 12-60 feet, but up keep and safety is the same for them all.

Check to make sure all of the nuts and bolts are tight, the rungs are secure and spreaders work.

 Ladders need to be free of oil, grease and other slipping hazards and most of all if parts are broken replace them!

Before you begin choose a ladder that is appropriate for the work you are doing, that does not conduct electricity and one that is able to hold the weight necessary to complete the job.  Positioning your ladder is your next   concern.  Never set it up on a slick surface, but on a firm, level surface and be aware of all electrical wires and over head      clearance in your work area. Next to ensure side rails are supported, use a ladder pad to prevent slippage and   protect the surface it is leaning against. 

Now you are ready to begin!  Take time to make your equipment safe and keep yourself safe and remember call Illinois Prairie Electric, Inc. for all your indoor and outdoor electrical needs.

New Switches for Added Convenience

Replacing a light switch can update the feel and functionality of your home in surprising ways. 

One homeowner we interviewed said that every room in a house should have a dimmer switch.  Think about it—dimming the lights down when you light candles for your bubble bath can add just enough light to even out the room.  A dimmed light in a bedroom or living room can give you the feel of a soft, warm glow in the evening.  These aren’t your parents’ dimmer switches either—the touch of a button gradually brings the light level up to your pre-set limit, and a sliding mechanism next to the button works just like a conventional dimmer switch. 

Are you tired of getting out of bed to switch the light off?  Forget the “Clapper” and the dusty lamp on your bedside table.  There are now many switches that include remote controls, so that you can sink down under the covers and darken (or dim) the room with a remote control. 

A switch with a motion detector can make your bathroom light and/or fan switch on when you enter the room.  Small children don’t have to stand up on a stool to reach the switch, and it’s one less place to collect germs in flu season.  A high-traffic restrooms or common areas in an office setting can also benefit from a motion switch.  It can save a lot of electricity.

Whatever your needs are, the Illinois Prairie Electric, Inc. office can provide you with photos and fact sheets of the best and newest products for your home.

 

Visit Lutron's website for a catalogue of attractive and functional dimmer switches for any application. http://www.lutron.com/Products/StandAloneControls/Dimmers-Switches/Pages/DimmersSwitches.aspx

Springfield Electric Supply Company Shows how Dimmers can Save EnergyLutron Manufactures a wide array of dimmer switches and controls. Click to learn more. http://springfieldelectric.com/lightingcontrols.aspx

 

EV Charging Comes to McLean County

By the end of 2011, the town of Normal expects to purchase and install 33   electric vehicle charging stations. 

Jeff Pritts, chairman of the Bloomington-Normal EV Task Force and general  manager of the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference center, says that he would like to see our community become “a true ‘EV Town.’”

As more drivers invest in what they believe to be the vehicles of the future,  businesses and private employers throughout the community are becoming more interested in installing EV charging stations at their facilities. 

The Pantagraph reported that nearly 1,000 electric vehicles are expected to be in use by 2014. 

To help play a part in making our community’s transportation more         sustainable, Illinois Prairie Electric now offers and installs electric vehicle   charging stations designed for residential, commercial, and public applications. 

The PowerGen EVSE from Milbank is available with single, dual, and quad ports.

Visit www.ipelec.biz/evcharging for more information and videos on EV charging stations.

Central Boilers Reduce Heating Costs

Tags

Central Boilers, Family, Heating, Home, Wood

Winter heating costs may be far from everyone’s mind right now, but November will roll around before we know it. 

Last year, IPE team member Brian Gaddy installed a Central Boiler heating system at his home in rural Lexington.  He uses it to heat water that is then circulated through his home.  Many types and sizes of untreated wood can be burned in the Central Boiler unit, and it pays for itself quickly through heating oil savings.  Even in very cold weather, Brian only needs to add fuel to the    Central Boiler once a day, at most.  

Heating with renewable fuels like wood is not only good for the planet, but helps your household to be independent from foreign oil. 

Videos and pictures of Brian’s Central Boiler may be found at the IPE company Facebook page here, by visiting http://www.ipelec.biz/centralboilers.html, or by calling the main office at 309-275-7749. 

 

Enhancing Your Outdoor Living Space

Tags

Family, Gardening, Home

On July 8th, WGLT broadcasted a July To-Do List for the garden from Don Schmidt, the “Dean of Green” on WGLT Radio.  Dean-o said we should be doing a lot of things in the garden this month—from planting more green beans and kitchen herbs to weeding and ordering bulbs for the Fall.  His wife Carol, on the other hand, said   you should “invite a friend over to your house, pour a glass of nice white wine, go out and ENJOY your garden!” 

For many people, an outdoor patio or lawn is like a second living and dining room,    perfect for summertime entertaining and family time. 

Once you’ve got your tables and chairs in place, consider getting creative with outdoor lighting design that will enhance your outdoor space for years to come.  Motion lights could fade in and out along pathways to light the way for guests. Gentle uplighting could highlight your big trees or your home’s architectural details. Carefully chosen fixtures for downlighting could also    augment the candles and lanterns on your tables without overpowering the scene or creating light pollution. 

No patio or garden project is too small to schedule a complementary appointment at IPE to browse lighting  design catalogues and speak with one of our experienced electricians about your creative vision.  For an appointment, call 309-664-0162 or email info@ipelec.biz.

Toolbox Talk: Hearing & Eye Protection

Tags

Eye Protection, Hearing Protection, Safety, Toolbox Talks

With the busy summer season approaching, Illinois Prairie Electric is concentrating on safety—and so should you!

Even small projects in the house or yard have the potential for mishaps. 

A properly-equipped tool bag includes safety glasses and ear plugs or ear muffs.

Ear and eye protection is necessary equipment when using lawn mowers, chain saws, and power tools. 

Consider the many things you do that involve flying particles: chipping, grinding, sanding, sawing, and hammering.  Even a tiny speck of dust flying from a power tool can injure your eye. 

Do you dislike wearing safety glasses?  There are many models and sizes available to fit the needs of your activity and comfort preferences.  If your goggles fog up, try a model with more ventilation, or coat them with an antifog liquid.  Side shields and wrap-around goggles may not be appropriate if you have to watch to your sides for heavy equipment.   

Keep lenses clean and replace them when scratched or cracked.  These not only interfere with your vision, but they weaken the glasses so that they may not withstand the heavy impacts they were designed for.

Never think that you can “get used to” noise and can afford to ignore it.  If you have to shout to be heard by someone three feet away, the noise around you is high enough to cause hearing damage.

Like glasses, ear plugs and muffs are available in many styles.  Some are even designed to be worn with eyeglasses, hard hats, or face masks.  Earmuffs must form a complete seal around the ear.  If using ear plugs, follow the directions carefully when inserting them.  If they are reusable, keep them clean to prevent ear infections.

More safety tips and printable flyers can be found at www.ipelec.biz/safety. 

**Post a photo of the safety supplies in your toolbag as a response to this post and win a FREE pair of safety glasses!

 

Donations Needed for Home Sweet Home Ministries

Tags

Charity Projects, Community Service, Home Sweet Home Ministries

Illinois Prairie Electric, Inc. is holding a food/supplies drive for Home Sweet Home Ministries through the end of August. 

Here are 5 Reasons to Donate:

1. WGLT recently reported that food pantries in the Bloomington-Normal area have been scraping by for the last year and a half with slower donations and     increased demand. 

2) Sabrina Burkiewicz of the Home Sweet Home Mission says now they are even struggling to find enough chairs for people to sit and eat. 

3) The thousand plus meals they offered last month is the most since 1917—that’s 94 years!  

4) Walk-in numbers doubled in May. 

5) The Pantagraph reported that the Illinois General Assembly is slated to cut $6 million from emergency housing and homeless programs.  Home Sweet Home could lose $30,000. 

For every donation brought to our office at 1605 G.E. Road, donors will receive an entry into a drawing for exciting and useful prizes, including baseball tickets and various tools. The drawing will take place on August 1st, 2011. 

Lists of needed food and nonfood items can also be found at www.hshministries.org.

 

 

Summer Recipes from Our Family to Yours

Tags

Apple Pie, Baking, Cooking, Family, Recipe

With picnics and cookouts in full swing, our family is breaking out our tried-and-true recipes. 

This month we are featuring our best apple recipes looking forward to ripe apples in September. A  recipe for Caramel Apple Salad is also featured on our Facebook Page under our Notes. 

What are your family’s  favorite summertime recipes? Share them as a reply to this post, vote on your favorites, and we’ll include the most popular recipe in our next print newsletter!

Grandma Gaddy’s Homemade Apple Pie
This recipe has been a  classic in the Gaddy family for generations, first documented on a hand-written card in our grandmother’s recipe box. 

Filling Ingredients:                            
6 c. Tart Apples.  Sugar to Taste (about 1-1.5 c.)   
Cinnamon /Apple Pie Spices to taste. 
Butter.

Crust Ingredients:              
2 c. All-Purpose Flour, Sifted. 
1 tsp. Salt. 
2/3 c. Shortening  (or Vegetable Crisco). 

Wash, cut, and uniformly slice apples. Add sugar and spices to taste and let sit to get juicy, stirring occasionally. 

Fill a teacup with ice cubes and water. Set aside with a small spoon. 

Sift flour and salt together.  Cut in chilled (the colder the better!) shortening. Crumble into flour with fingers until pieces are pea-size or smaller. Divide in half and place both portions in fridge for 5 minutes. 

Lay out pastry mat. Coat mat and rolling pin with chilled flour. (Heat is the enemy in this pastry recipe.) Have extra chilled flour ready. 

Remove 1st portion from fridge. Slowly add teaspoons of water, turning dough with fingers. Allow it to clump together and make a single large ball. Wrap in plastic wrap, place in fridge and repeat with 2nd portion. 

When ready, remove 1st portion of dough from plastic wrap and begin to flatten with palms on mat. Recoat with flour as needed. Roll out with rolling pin, fixing cracks as needed with drops of water and flour. 

Place bottom crust in pie pan. Fill with apple filling. Dot with butter.  Roll out top crust, create desired design, and place on top.  Pinch together edges with thumbs and forefingers.   

Place pie in cool oven and preheat to 425F. Bake at 425F for 15 min.  Reduce to 350F and bake for 50-60min. Place a pan on the rack below to catch drippings. 

***Here’s a tip that wasn’t published in the print edition: When the crust has turned golden brown, and the filling has started to bubble over (after about an hour) it’s probably done. Instead of removing it from the oven immediately, simply turn it off and crack the oven door. (If it’s a really hot day, you can leave it closed.) We think that if the pastry crust cools gradually after baking, it will be flakier.