In summer heat, keep an eye on neighbors

 Hot summer days put people at risk for heat-related illnesses and can aggravate existing medical conditions. Doctors recommend that you spend the hottest part of the day indoors enjoying the air conditioning.

 But for those whose homes don’t have air conditioning or who can’t afford to turn it on, the risk is acute. That is especially true for the elderly or ill, who could be at risk for heat stroke or even death.

 If you know someone whose house might get too hot to handle this summer, call or stop by to check on them every day. Organize a group of friends to arrange phone calls during the summer months to elderly neighbors that live alone. Encourage these neighbors to use their air conditioners during the hottest part of the day or spend it in an air conditioned public place, like a shopping center or a library. If you find someone in medical distress because of the heat, call 9-1-1 .

 Some states and counties encourage residents to help keep their neighbors safe through campaigns like Check on Your Neighbor. If there isn’t a similar program in your neighborhood consider starting one. With an organization of “neighbors helping neighbors,” one call could save a life.

 “Neighbors helping neighbors,” is what electric cooperatives are all about. In the beginning it was about neighbors working together to bring electricity in to our small rural communities. That is still our number one job, but today, your electric utility, Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative” goes beyond the wires” to assist our communities in a number of ways.  

One of the best examples is SVECares, our “round-up” program supported by approximately 75% of our members who allow their electric bills to be “rounded up” to the next dollar to fund this program which awards grants to organizations and individual families in our service area in an effort to improve the quality of life in our beautiful communities.  

This time of year some of those grants are to purchase window air conditioners or fans for those with health needs who cannot afford them. Of course there is not enough money each month to purchase an air conditioner for every single needy family in the SVEC service area but we help those we cand and help others by referring them to the South East Tennessee Human Resources Agency and other organizations that have funds to assist the most needy in purchasing air conditioners and fans.  

    Back