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Poor indoor air quality can lead to health issues such as asthma, allergies and other respiratory health problems. While we often think of indoor air as protecting us from polluted outdoor air, the opposite may be true; according to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality pollution can be two to five times higher than outdoor air. That’s because many homes have poor ventilation and circulation of air. The trapped indoor pollution comes from a wide range of sources including smoking or vaping, pet dander and hair, chemicals stored in the home, mold or water problems, gas appliances and wood-burning heaters. The list could go on. What a room purifier can do A room air purifier helps clear the air, capturing harmful particles and droplets (including viruses from people coughing, talking or breathing) in a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter can capture at least 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and other airborne particles according to a report in Real Simple magazine. What to check before buying Labels. Look for an Energy Star logo since purifiers should run 24/7 to be effective, and you won’t want to waste energy on a less-efficient model. An AHAM Verified seal lets you know that the clean air delivery rates (CADRs) and room size guidelines listed on the label are accurate. Your room size. Make sure you purchase one that is large enough to perform correctly in the room where you place it. That the high-efficiency particulate air filter is a HEPA, not a “HEPA-like” or “HEPA-type” filter as those are not the same thing. The minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) on the HEPA filter. The higher the MERV number, the more effective the filter. That there is a carbon filter along with the HEPA filter. Having an activated carbon filter will help clean up VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and odors. Cost of replacement filters, as these must be replaced at least several times a year (it depends on the brand).

Extreme winter weather can immobilize an entire region. Even areas that normally experience mild winters can suddenly be hit with heavy snowfall or intense cold. Winter storms can result in closed streets and highways, power outages, and flooding. Take action now to ensure the safety and comfort of your family in the event of extreme winter weather. Before a storm Have snow removal equipment on hand, as well as rock salt to melt ice and sand to improve traction. Regular fuel sources may be cut off, so make sure an alternative is available to heat your home. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone knows how to use them. Fires pose an additional risk when alternate heating sources are in use. Locate your main water supply and valves; make sure you know how to shut them off in case a pipe bursts. Repair roof leaks and keep gutters clear. Trim any tree branches that could fall during a storm. Winterize by caulking and weatherstripping doors and windows, sealing the attic area and installing storm windows. This will help to keep your family safe and comfortable during a storm. During a storm Listen to your radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information. Eat regularly and drink ample fluids but avoid caffeine and alcohol. To conserve fuel, keep your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms. Stay dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent the loss of body heat. Watch for signs of frostbite; these include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers and toes. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. Drive only when necessary. If you must drive, travel on main roads during daylight hours. Keep others informed of your whereabouts. After a storm Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack, a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside. Help neighbors who may require special assistance including infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities. If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation and open all faucets; pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold. Do not try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open flame. Follow forecasts and be prepared when venturing outside. Major winter storms are often followed by extremely cold conditions. A little forethought and attention to detail will help to ensure that you and your family stay warm, dry and safe this winter, no matter what the weather is outside.

If you’ve noticed a few leaky areas in your home, maybe a draft around an exterior door or a window, sealing those leaks is a quick and easy-to-accomplish New Year’s resolution that can provide you with greater comfort. A bonus: taking these actions may also lower your utility bills for the remainder of the winter and beyond, especially when we experience weather extremes. EXTERIOR SEALING One of the simplest and cheapest means to reduce energy use this winter, and throughout the year, is to seal air leaks on a home’s exterior walls. Caulk and weather-stripping materials are relatively inexpensive and available at hardware and big box stores. It is relatively simple and inexpensive to complete some basic weatherization on a home’s exterior. Most homes can be weatherized around windows, doors and at the base of exterior siding using caulk, weather-stripping and flashing. You'll need to wait for a relatively warm day to do exterior caulking (be sure to check the caulk to find the temperatures needed for application). If this winter proves to be too cold, you may have to wait until spring. Do-it-yourself caulking tips Remove dirt and grit or any loose paint from areas to be caulked (small cracks, gaps). Choose your timing. Try not to caulk in rainy weather or when the temperature is below 40 degrees. Consider also that caulk sets faster on hot days, leaving less time to trim or clean up messy spots. Caulk around new holes or disturbances to outside walls whenever additional pipes or cables are installed. You can also use caulk to seal any gaps between the wall and the trim on your windows. Apply caulk in a continuous motion, forcing it into cracks around windows, by holding the caulk gun at a 45-degree angle to the work surface. Release the handle just before reaching the end of the crack to prevent “run-on” and to reduce waste. Filling larger gaps A can of expanding foam sealant can be used to fit larger, irregularly shaped gaps. You may need to use fillers to plug extra-wide gaps. Fillers come in a wide variety of materials—cotton, fiberglass, foam and sponge rubber. However, these fillers are not designed for exposure to the elements so you will need to caulk or seal over them. To close gaps too wide for foam use foil-faced bubble wrap. For really large holes, cut sections of rigid foam insulation to fit and glue into place with expanding foam before covering the area with wood or another appropriate building material. SEALING INDOORS Put plastic on windows if needed, caulk and seal air leaks around attic doors, and install foam gaskets behind outlet covers and switch plates. Foam gaskets are used to seal switches and outlets that do not already have a tight seal against the wall. Air can leak through interior walls, flowing up into the attic, as well as through exterior walls. So, install the gaskets on all your walls, exterior as well as interior ones. Plastic safety plugs can be used to stop air leaks through unused electrical outlets. Other steps to lower utility costs In cold weather, turn the thermostat down as much as safely possible, especially when sleeping or whenever the home is unoccupied. A programmable thermostat can help you automatically adjust the temperature for maximum savings and comfort. Add layers of clothing and bedding. Also, turn off extra lights, electronic devices or infrequently used appliances. Contact us about conducting a home energy audit and for advice on other steps you can take to keep your monthly electric bills as low as possible. Source: Iowa Utilities Board More Information ENERGY STAR's Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Sealing Effective Means of Reducing Energy Costs from the Iowa Utilities Board

When Ice storms coat power lines, high winds can lead to lines that bounce and buck around. While rare, this movement is known as "galloping lines". Power lines are designed to sway, but if a wire is weighted down with ice and is pushed around from wind it could move close to a grounded component or an energized conductor and a short will occur. Galloping lines are a dangerous situation as power lines can touch one another or break and fall to the ground while energized. Another safety concern is the ice, itself. Ice can form around power lines in a teardrop shape. This shape acts like a wing, causing the line to gain lift and rise with winds. With high winds, the ice could break off, causing unsafe conditions on the ground. The power lines that NIPCO (Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative) uses to transmit power on its 69KV (kilovolt) high-voltage power lines throughout western Iowa are designed to withstand up to 1.5 inches of ice and 50 MPH (miles per hour) winds. Our cooperative, who receives power and transmission services from NIPCO, works to ensure that our system remains reliable and safe in the face of whatever Mother Nature throws our way. If you see power lines moving around forcefully, stay away and call the police or your local electric cooperative. If you experience a power outage, contact our office and wait for our crews to restore power. In the meantime, check out 22 Ways to Unplug if the Power Goes Out and if you use a space heater, check out this helpful article, too.

In high wind situations, there’s the potential for power outages due to branches, limbs and trees coming into contact with power lines. Our region has been notified of a high wind warning, forecasting wind gusts as high as 60 to 70 miles per hour for most of Iowa. We are monitoring the conditions and staying in close contact with our power providers. Follow these safety tips to keep you and your family safe: If at all possible, stay at home and off the roadways to allow emergency personnel and utility crews to tend to the injured and damaged areas. Make an effort to have alternative sources of light and heat available to you – whether it be candles, generators, or just warm clothing and flashlights with fresh batteries. Listen to your weather radio or stay tuned in via social media or wherever you get your breaking weather information. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged. Tune in to a local station or check the weather app on your phone for up-to-date information and instructions. Weather conditions can change without warning and can move fast. Our cooperative will communicate outage and restoration information via our social media platforms and website so if you aren’t connected with us, make sure to do so as this is the fastest way to get information to you, in real-time. You can also check statewide outage information on the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives outage map. Again, make sure your cell phones, laptops, and other smart devices are charged up to access this information. Stay away from all damaged or downed power lines, and any object that may be in contact with them, as the lines may be live. Assume that all downed power lines are energized. Instruct others to stay away, too. Call 911 to inform your local utility of damaged lines, or downed trees that may be in contact with power lines. This is true of lines at your home, in your neighborhood, or when you are driving. If you come in contact with a downed power line while driving, stay in your vehicle and wait for a utility to make sure the line is de-energized before exiting the vehicle. Before entering storm-damaged buildings, make sure the electricity is turned off. Again, contact your local utility if you need instructions on how to safely disconnect utility lines. If you detect the smell of gas or suspect a leak, leave the house immediately. Call 911 and your utility to alert them of the issue. Do not light an open flame or flip any switches in the house. Exercise patience during a power outage. In almost all cases, crews will not be sent out to perform restoration procedures UNTIL IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. And, If you come upon utility crews working on the side of the road restoring power, please move over and slow down so they have room to work safely! (It’s the law!) Do not turn off power if you have to stand in water to do so. Call your utility and have them turn off your electricity at the meter. Never drive through a flooded roadway. There is no way of knowing how deep the water is. A good rule to follow is to turn around, don’t drown. Never enter a flooded basement if electrical outlets, cords, or appliances are underwater. The water could be energized by electricity. When cleaning up storm damage outdoors, do not use electrical tools if the ground is wet. Also, do not use electrical equipment that has been damaged by water. Have your water-damaged items inspected and approved by a professional before using them.