CEO October Message - 2021

CEO Message Safety Tips for Fall Home Maintenance

Fall is in the air and with the change in seasons comes fall home maintenance. While fall cleanup is part of owning a home, safety is an essential part of working around the house. Here are a few tips to avoid slips, trips, falls and muscle strains:

Ladder Safety. Before using a ladder to clean gutters or trim trees, look it over to make sure there are no defects or loose parts. Ask a friend or family member to hold the ladder while you are working. Keep one hand on the ladder and avoid reaching too far causing the ladder to become unstable.

Eye Protection. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from blowing debris. Dirt, grass clippings, wood chips and other items can be dangerous, and they may even scratch your retina.

Avoid Back Injuries and Falls. When raking, turn your feet first to avoid twisting your back when raking in a new direction. Wear nonslip shoes, wet leaves can be very slippery. Avoid lifting objects that are too heavy and use your knees when lifting objects.

Protect your hands and arms. Wear gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from cuts, scrapes, and blisters. Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburns. While the sun may not seem hot, it can still cause a sunburn.

Call Before You Dig. Before doing any digging call 811 to request to have all utility lines in the area marked for your safety. Call 8-1-1 or go online to montana811.org to request a utility locate. Please give the utility companies at least 3 days to locate their lines before doing any digging.

Remember to use the right tool for the job and always follow the safety guidelines for those tools to stay safe year-round.

First Pitch for Fritz
Fritz Keller was a champion for Cooperative’s across the state! Fritz served as trustee on the Hill County Electric Cooperative Board for 42 years. Fritz was active in cooperatives both locally and nationally. The Montana Council of Cooperatives partners with the Great Falls Voyagers to host an annual night at the Ballpark. The first pitch was in honor of Fritz for his dedication to cooperatives. Fritz’s brother Leroy and grandson Michael honored his memory with each of them throwing a pitch before the game. Fritz would have been proud to have so many people in attendance to honor his dedication throughout his lifetime.