Month: September 2018

25Sep

Veteran co-op executive takes the lead at Jackson Purchase Energy Corporation

Greg Grissom elected president and CEO by electric cooperative board

Paducah (September 25, 2018) – The Board of Directors of Jackson Purchase Energy Corporation (JPEC) is pleased to announce that Greg Grissom has been unanimously elected president and CEO of the electric cooperative.

Grissom, a native of Hickman, brings nearly twenty years of co-op executive experience to his new role heading JPEC which serves about 30,000 consumer-members in six western Kentucky counties. He begins in the new role on December 3.

“This is an exciting day for Jackson Purchase Energy,” said JPEC Board Chairman Erick Harris. “Our talented employees and loyal consumer-members are getting a proven leader who understands both the important role JPEC plays in our communities and the challenges faced by electric cooperatives across America.”

Harris thanked Michael W. Chambliss, Vice President of System Operations for power generation partner Big Rivers Electric, for serving as Interim CEO during the executive search.

Grissom comes to JPEC after serving three years as Chief Executive Officer and President at Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation in Hopkinsville. Prior to that, Grissom was President and Chief Executive Officer of Hickman Fulton Electric Cooperative in Hickman, Kentucky since November 2000. He is a graduate of Murray State University and of the Management Internship Program of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

“I look forward to engaging with our consumer-members and helping our communities prosper,” Grissom said. “I want all of us to be proud of the role Jackson Purchase Energy plays in our lives. Whether you are a consumer-member, an employee or a board member, we’re all in this together. That’s what being a cooperative is all about. Our partnerships with other cooperatives can help us to deliver on our goals safely, efficiently and transparently.”

Pennyrile Electric Board of Directors named Vice President of Operations & Technical Services, Alan Gates, as the interim President and CEO until the position is filled.

“As we will begin the search process for a new CEO, we thank Greg for his time at Pennyrile Electric and wish him the best in his new position at Jackson Purchase,” said Pennyrile Electric Board Chair Jimmy Futrell. “With our strong management team and staff, our member-owners can be assured, there will be no interruption in the cost-effective and reliable service they are accustomed to.”

Grissom and his wife, Denise, have two children. Their daughter, Anna Gregory, is a junior at Murray State University. Their son, Greyson, is a sophomore at Trigg County High School.

Grissom is a board member of the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives, United Utility Supply and Federated Rural Electric Insurance.

19Sep

Blue Grass Energy wins big at 2018 rodeo

Every day, lineworkers across Kentucky are out in remote areas of the state doing what it takes to keep the power flowing to more than 1.5 million people served by electric co-ops. Once a year, however, a select group of these lineworkers come together for two days of competition like no other, the Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo.

On Sept. 13-14, 125 lineworkers representing 17 of Kentucky’s electric co-ops converged on the Murray-Calloway County Fairgrounds to compete in the 14^thannual rodeo.

Click here for list of winners and scores

“It’s about teamwork, it’s about camaraderie and it’s about showing off the skills these linemen have learned,” says David Smart, president and CEO of West Kentucky Rural Electric, which hosted this year’s event.

Blue Grass Energy was the big winner, sweeping the overall individual journeymen category and taking first in the overall team category. Tim Hembree, a journeyman lineman from Blue Grass, placed in the top three in eight categories.

“The Kentucky’s Lineman’s Rodeo is an opportunity for linemen to demonstrate their commitment to safety while showcasing their skills,” says Mike Williams, president and CEO of Blue Grass Energy. “I’m very proud of the hard work and dedication to safety that not only our lineworkers, but all linemen demonstrated while participating in this event.”

The Lineman’s Rodeo was created by the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives to promote safety for co-op linemen around the state. The training and skills of these linemen are part of the mission of Kentucky’s electric cooperatives, to provide a high level of electrical services at the lowest possible price through a local, consumer-owned form of business.

“Training for the rodeo has really helped our younger guys,” says Randy Meredith of Nolin RECC, which will host the 2019 rodeo. “They improved in safety and they improved in their technique. So, it was a real win, win situation.

Seven senior individuals, 36 individual journeymen and 36 apprentice lineworkers competed in these events: Capacitator De-Energize, Line De-Energize and Armor Rod & Tie. There were 31 teams from the 17 co-ops that competed in the OCR Changeout, Line Replacement and Underarm Disconnect competitions. Individuals and teams competed in the “Hurt man” competition, which focuses on following the correct procedures in the event someone needs to be rescued after coming into contact with a live wire.

Jason Isaacs, a lineman for Blue Grass who competed for the first time, says the experience was one he plans on repeating.

“It was nerve-racking, but it was a great experience,” he says. “With everyone watching, you just want to do good.”

First place, Senior Hurtman: Gerald Lakes, Jackson Energy

Second place, Senior Hurtman: Mark Hutchinson, Grayson RECC

Third place, Senior Hurtman: Michael Nethery, Shelby Energy

First place, Senior Capicitator De-Energize: Mark Hutchinson, Grayson RECC

Second place, Senior Hurtman: Michael Nethery, Shelby Energy

First place, Senior Line De-Energize: Michael Nethery, Shelby Energy

Second place, Line De-Energize: Lance Moore, Warren RECC

First place, Armor Rod & Tie: Gerard Lakes, Jackson Energy

Second place, Senior Armor & Tie: Mark Hutchinson, Grayson RECC

Third place, Senior Armor Rod & Tie: Lance Moore, Warren RECC

First place, Individual Journeyman Hurtman: Jon Tillery, Jackson Energy

Second place, Individual Journeyman Hurtman: Tim Hembree, Blue Grass Energy

Third place, Individual Journeyman Hurtman: Royce Baker, Jackson Energy

First place, Individual Journeyman Capacitator De-Energize: Kevin Vance, Clark Energy

Second place, Individual Journeyman Capacitator De-Energize: Tim Hembree, Blue Grass Energy

Third place, Individual Journeyman Capacitator De-Energize: Geoffrey Beck, West Kentucky RECC

First place, Individual Journeyman Line De-Energize: Jeremy Rayborn, Jackson Energy

Third place, Individual Journeyman Line De-Energize: Jon Tillery, Jackson Energy

Second place, Individual Journeyman Armor Rod & Tie: Tim Hembree, Blue Grass Energy

Third place, Individual Journeyman Armor Rod & Tie: Royce Baker, Jackson Energy

First place, Apprentice Hurtman: Tommy Parks, Fleming Mason Energy

Second place, Apprentice Hurtman: Justin Staniford, Grayson RECC

First place, Apprentice Capacitator De-Energize: Trevor Evans, Owen Electric

Second place, Apprentice Capacitator De-Energize: Tommy Parks, Fleming Mason Energy

First place, Apprentice Line De-Energize: Tommy Parks, Fleming Mason Energy

Second place, Apprentice Line De-Energize: Brandon Miller, Owen Electric

Third place, Apprentice Line De-Energize: Ryan Ray, Nolin RECC

First place, Apprentice Armor Rod & Tie: David Cotton, Gibson

Second place, Apprentice Armor Rod & Tie: Trevor Evans, Owen Electric

Third place, Apprentice Armor Rod & Tie: Brandon Miller, Owen Electric

First place, Team Hurtman: Thomas Waltman, Tim Hembree, Adam Mink, Blue Grass Energy

Second place, Team Hurtman: Marlon Coffey, Jon Tillery, Brent Johnson, Jackson Energy

Third place, Team Hurtman: Tony Bach, James Juett, Charlie Colligan, Owen Electric

Second place, Team Line Replacement: Jeremy Rayborn, Royce Baker, Kris Cunigan, Jackson Energy

Third place, Team Line Replacement: Kyle Strunk, Derek Bell, Jason Isaacs, Blue Grass Energy

First place, Team Underarm Disconnect: Thomas Walton, Tim Hembree, Adam Mink, Blue Grass Energy

Third place, Team Underarm Disconnect: Tony Bach, James Juett, Charlie Colligan, Owen Electric

First place, Team OCR Changeout: Thomas Walton, Tim Hembree, Adam Mink, Blue Grass Energy

Second place, Team OCR Changout: Tony Bach, James Juett, Charlie Colligan, Owen Electric

Third place, Team OCR Changeout: Kevin Vance, David Dennis, Christopher Keyton, Clark Energy

First place, Senior Overall: Michael Nethery, Shelby Energy

Third place, Senior Overall: Mark Hutchinson, Grayson RECC

First place, Overall Individual Journeyman: Tim Hembree, Blue Grass Energy

Second place, Overall Individual Journeyman: Thomas Walton, Blue Grass Energy

Third place, Overal Individual Journeyman: Derek Bell, Bluegrass Energy

First place, Overall Apprentice: Tommy Parks, Fleming Mason Energy

Second place, Overall Apprentice: Brandon Miller, Owen Electric

Third place, Overall Apprentice: Brett Alder, Warren RECC

First place, Overall Team: Adam Mink, Tim Hembree, Thomas Walton, Blue Grass Energy

Third place, Overall Team: Michael Nethery, Brandon Keyton, and Tyler Workman, Shelby Energy

17Sep

Former Salt River president & CEO passes away

Larry Hicks, former president and CEO of Salt River Electric, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. He was 62 years old.

Hicks served as Salt River’s president for 20 years, until his departure in 2015. During his career, he was instrumental in guiding Salt River through some of its most transformative years, as well as serving on several boards and in leadership roles within the community.

Hicks is survived by his wife Ellen and his three children.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

14Sep

Ten years later

Lessons learned from Hurricane Ike, the surprise windstorm

The forecast called for gusty winds, perhaps as high as 45 miles per hour, but by the end of the day, Governor Steve Beshear would declare a state of emergency after that gusty forecast transformed into a blast of hurricane-force winds.

Not including uninsured losses, Kentucky faced $595 million in damages and the largest power outage the commonwealth had ever seen.

It was Sunday, September 14, 2008. The skies were clear with no rain or lightning, not the usual setting for a weather disaster.

Yet, in what the Kentucky Public Service Commission would later describe as an “unprecedented convergence of meteorological events,” the warm air carried by remnants of Hurricane Ike escaped through a break in the clouds, replaced by a rush of air from a colliding cold front.

“This was a unique event, not duplicated anywhere else in the United States,” John Gordon, chief of the National Weather Service office in Louisville, would later say. “It was the most extreme event I have ever seen.”

Sustained winds of more than 50 miles per hour—gusting to 75 miles per hour—and falling trees and limbs wiped out thousands of power lines and poles across the state.

Winds from Hurricane Ike caused hundreds of trees to fall, downing power lines across the state. Photos: Kentucky Public Service Commission

Electric cooperatives incurred about $4.3 million in windstorm costs. A federal disaster declaration would eventually apply to 34 counties.

“One of the biggest things I learned from that very storm was to be patient when sending the guys out to restore,” says Brian Jones, operations manager at Owen Electric in northern Kentucky. “We didn’t want our linemen in buckets or on poles due to the long duration of the sustained high winds.”

With more than 28,000 consumer-members affected, Owen Electric was one of several electric cooperatives tasked with widespread outages as Ike made a path along the Ohio River.

“Once the winds had died down, we had a game plan and assessments to start working,” Jones recalls.

The Safety and Loss Prevention team at the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives coordinated the mutual aid response, matching requests for assistance with offers to help from co-ops in Kentucky and surrounding states. In fact, some of the same Virginia co-ops that helped Kentucky in 2008 received help from Kentucky co-ops when a powerful nor’easter struck that state six months ago.

“This is another benefit of cooperation among cooperatives,” says KAEC safety director Clarence Greene. “When disasters strike, we are better prepared to respond because we’ve seen it before.”

When the windstorm struck, 121 lineworkers from 14 Kentucky co-ops were helping restore power in Mississippi. They returned to Kentucky to join restoration efforts here.

Salt River Electric CEO Tim Sharp recalls the windstorm as a test that co-op employees successfully passed.

“Lineworkers demonstrated their commitment to consumer-members in a very challenging situation,” Sharp says. The key was being prepared, with proactive maintenance of tree trimming, up-to-date sectionalizing of the system to minimize outages and constant training, Sharp adds.

“It affirmed what we were doing was correct,” Sharp says. “Even though we had catastrophic conditions, damage to the system was limited, and power was restored in two to three days.”

A disaster plan and open lines of communication were instrumental in the ability of United Utility Supply to quickly equip cooperatives with critical materials.

“Once a disaster strikes, we continuously supply our members with material as needed,” UUS Executive Vice President Gary Burnett says. “We meet afterword to evaluate how we met our members’ needs and determine how we need to improve in the future.”

KAEC President and CEO Chris Perry says co-ops learned a lot about themselves from both the windstorm and the devastating ice storm that hit four months later.

“First, our cooperative network across the country is ready and able to send additional line crews to make repairs when needed,” Perry says. “Second, cooperatives must invest in tools and technology to make outage restoration safer and more responsive.”

After the storms, Kentucky co-ops invested in outage management systems that give a clearer picture of where to begin restoration efforts.

“Hours and days have been saved with these systems in place,” Perry explains.

Jones says another key element to Owen Electric’s storm response was a strategic deployment of crews.

“It’s better to hold a crew in the office waiting for information than to send everyone out, then call that crew back in because of the additional information you’ve received,” Jones says.

“Slow and steady is more efficient and safer,” he adds. “Which is what our main objective is to be—safe and reliable.”

Joe Arnold

13Sep

Linemen show off skills at annual Rodeo

On Sept. 13-14, 125 lineworkers representing 17 of Kentucky’s electric co-ops converged on the Murray-Calloway County Fairgrounds to compete in the 14^thannual rodeo.

Click here for list of winners and scores

Jason Isaacs, a lineman for Blue Grass who competed for the first time, says the experience was one he plans on repeating.

“It was nerve-racking, but it was a great experience,” he says. “With everyone watching, you just want to do good.”

12Sep

UPDATE: Florence spares co-ops linked to Ky crews

Kentucky mutual aid crews back home

UPDATED September 16, 2018 – 3:00pm –Though tens of thousands of South Carolina homes and businesses remained without power on Sunday afternoon, Hurricane Florence largely spared the electric cooperative that had asked for help from sister co-ops in Kentucky.

As a result, Kentucky co-op crews that deployed on Saturday morning are back home, and other crews on standby are also not likely to be needed during this effort, according to Clarence Greene, Safety and Loss Prevention Director at the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives.

19 Kentucky electric cooperatives had committed 160 lineworkers and released more than 150 right-of-way and construction contract workers to the mutual aid response. Crews are deployed only at the request of specific co-ops.

When Hurricane Florence made landfall on Friday, Berkeley Electric Cooperative in southeast South Carolina requested help from the Kentucky co-ops. Most of the power outages, however, have ultimately affected northeast South Carolina, territories where other mutual aid crews are responding.

Click here for an outage map of South Carolina electric cooperatives.

“We continue to pray for the safety of everyone affected by this storm, including the mutual aid crews who are working to help,” Greene said. “Though we have not been pressed into service this time, we are proud to be a part of an electric cooperative program whose members stand ready to help.”

Through a careful coordination of mutual aid from co-ops in 12 states across the Midwest and Southeast, crews were paired with co-ops in the storm’s path. On daily conference calls in the days leading up to and through landfall, safety teams from each state assessed optimal deployments.

In addition, United Utility Supply Cooperative also responded to Hurricane Florence needs. The Kentucky-based co-op implemented its storm emergency plan, providing round-the-clock support to meet the material needs of co-ops affected by Hurricane Florence. UUS made pre-storm deliveries to cooperatives in the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware areas and reached out to cooperatively owned material suppliers in South Carolina and North Carolina.

Kentucky co-op mutual aid deployments are coordinated by the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives. The deployments had shifted to South Carolina on Friday after co-ops who had originally asked for help in Virginia alerted KAEC that they no longer needed help.

The list of Kentucky electric cooperatives set to deploy lineworkers includes Blue Grass Energy, Clark Energy Cooperative, Cumberland Valley RECC, Farmers RECC, Fleming Mason Energy, Jackson Energy Cooperative, Jackson Purchase Energy Corporation, Kenergy Corp., Licking Valley RECC, Meade County RECC, Nolin RECC, Owen Electric Cooperative, Pennyrile Electric, Salt River Electric, Shelby Energy Cooperative, South Kentucky RECC, Warren RECC, and West Kentucky RECC.

In addition, Tri-County EMC, which serves both Kentucky and Tennessee co-op members, deployed crews to North Carolina.

The top priority of each local Kentucky co-op is service to its own consumer-members. Before committing resources to mutual aid requests, each co-op ensures it has ample crews available for all local needs, including routine maintenance and emergencies.

One year ago, 131 Kentucky co-op workers helped restore power in Georgia after Hurricane Irma. The largest mutual aid deployment in Kentucky co-op history came in 2016 when 143 lineworkers responded to Hurricane Matthew.

Because the national network of transmission and distribution infrastructure owned by electric cooperatives has been built to federal standards, line crews from any co-op in America can arrive on the scene ready to provide emergency support, secure in their knowledge of the system’s engineering.

10Sep

A co-op success story | Kentucky steel plant nearly doubling capacity

Expansion emphasizes partnership between industry, Kentucky’s electric cooperatives and state government

Kentucky electric cooperative leaders are cheering an announcement by the Nucor Corp. that it will invest $650 million to nearly double its steel-making capacity at a plant in Gallatin County served by Owen Electric Cooperative.

“We are thrilled Nucor has chosen to invest and create additional jobs in Kentucky,” said Mark Stallons, president and CEO of Owen Electric. “All parties have been committed to developing a close working relationship in order to develop solutions that satisfy each organization’s expectations. Nucor has been an excellent partner.”

Leaders of Owen Electric Cooperative, which serves the mill, and East Kentucky Power Cooperative, the wholesale energy provider to Owen Electric, worked closely with Nucor officials to support the phase II expansion, which is expected to add another 70 jobs.

“We would like to thank Governor Matt Bevin, our local officials, East Kentucky Power Cooperative and Owen Electric, our teammates and the entire community for their support,” said John Farris, vice president and general manager, Nucor Steel Gallatin. “The project will allow us to better serve our automotive and value-added customers.”

Kentucky offers the lowest industrial electric power rates east of the Mississippi – one of its many attractive features for manufacturers. That played a role in Nucor’s decision, as the mill is a major electricity customer and the phase II expansion will create significant additional demand.

East Kentucky Power Cooperative President and CEO Anthony “Tony” Campbell welcomed the decision.

“Nucor’s decision to bring high-quality jobs to Kentucky is wonderful news. This emphasizes the critical importance of affordable, reliable energy for Kentucky’s industries to compete in the global economy,” Campbell said. “Nucor is an important partner for Owen Electric and EKPC, and we are proud of our longstanding relationship.”

Since Governor Matt Bevin took office in 2015, one out of every four dollars invested by economic development projects in Kentucky has been in Kentucky Touchstone Energy Cooperative territory served by East Kentucky Power Cooperative. That figure does not include even more investments in areas served by Big Rivers Electric and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

“Nucor is doing incredible things at its Kentucky steel mill,” Bevin said. “We are excited that, after a substantial investment in 2017, the company has decided to move forward with its phase II project and create additional job opportunities for the county and surrounding communities.

“The steel and primary metals industry are a driving force behind the commonwealth’s surging economy, and this announcement reflects the distinct advantages we have to offer engineering and manufacturing companies. Nucor is certainly a major player in this industry, and we are grateful for their commitment to continue forging success right here in Kentucky,” Bevin continued.

This second phase will increase the mill’s annual capacity from 1.6 million tons of coiled sheet steel to approximately 3 million tons. As well, it will allow the mill to produce coils up to 73 inches wide.

In May 2017, Nucor announced its phase I project; construction of a new building and installation of galvanizing and pickling lines. That phase, expected to open in the first half of 2019, represents a $176 million investment creating 75 full-time jobs. The two phases position the mill to produce substantially more, wider and value-added products, suitable for a broader range of manufacturers and products.

“This investment is another major component of our planned strategy for long-term profitable growth,” said John Ferriola, Chairman, CEO and president of Nucor. “Together with the new galvanizing line, this expansion increases our presence in the important Midwest market, specifically in the automotive, agriculture, heavy equipment, and energy pipe and tube sectors.”

Nucor purchased the former Gallatin Steel Co. from Gerdau SA and ArcelorMittal in late 2014 for approximately $780 million. The mill currently employs 465 people.

In Kentucky, Nucor and its affiliates employ approximately 2,000 people and include Nucor Steel Gallatin, Steel Technologies LLC, Republic Conduit, and Harris Rebar. Nucor also owns the David J. Joseph Co. and its six subsidiary River Metals Recycling facilities across the state, which collect and recycle scrap metal.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Nucor Corp. is North America’s largest recycler and the nation’s largest producer of steel and steel products. The company employs more than 25,000 people at about 200 facilities primarily located in the US and Canada, including several wholly owned subsidiaries.

The company has three segments: steel mills, steel products and raw materials. Nucor’s products include, carbon and alloy steel – in bars, beams, sheet and plate, hollow structural section tubing, electrical conduit, steel piling, steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold finished steel, steel fasteners, metal building systems, steel grating, wire and wire mesh.

Founded in 1955, Nucor Corp. traces its roots to 1905 when Ransom E. Olds, Oldsmobile’s creator, left his company after a stockholders dispute. He formed REO Motor Co., which evolved into the Nuclear Corporation of America, and ultimately became Nucor in 1971.

07Sep

Elroy Webster Cooperative Studies Fund now accepting applications

The Ralph K. Morris Foundation is now accepting applications for scholarships from the Elroy Webster Cooperative Studies Fund. This Fund provides two scholarships and honorary awards to graduate students or law students interested in agriculture and cooperatives. For more information on the guidelines of the scholarship fund and application forms, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.ralphkmorrisfoundation.org.

Applications are due September 30, 2018, with the winner announced by October 15, 2018.

06Sep

Battery basics: What you don’t know about batteries can hurt you

Batteries provide a portable, and usually safe, source of electricity. From batteries in our cell phones to industrial-sized backups, we rely on them every day.

Although they may seem harmless, safety should always be a top concern when using and replacing batteries.

Batteries produce hydrogen gas. When hydrogen gas mixes with oxygen and meets an ignition source, like a spark, an explosion can occur. Excess hydrogen gas is most likely to be created when batteries are charging or when batteries are mismatched, damaged or connected incorrectly.

As batteries discharge, through use or gradual self-discharge, hydrogen gas is also generated, increasing pressure in the battery and causing the insulating seals at the end of the battery to rupture. As batteries age, the steel outer canister may corrode or rust. The crystals found on corroded batteries can cause respiratory, eye and skin irritations.

KAEC has some tips to help you use this dependable source of power safely:

Always note the warnings and the manufacturers’ instructions for both the batteries and the battery-powered product.
Do not mix batteries of different brands.
Confirm that the contacts of both the battery and product are clean of any corrosion.
When inserting the battery, match the positive and negative symbols of both the battery and product. While putting the batteries in backward may allow the product to operate, it may accidentally charge the batteries resulting in venting or leaking.
Safely dispose of used batteries.

Don’t mix batteries of different types, such as alkaline and non-alkaline or rechargeable and non-rechargeable.
Do not heat or damage batteries.
When storing a device, remove its batteries.

Keep batteries out of sight and out of reach of children

With electronics getting smaller, many devices now use coin-size lithium batteries, also called button batteries.

Little kids love to explore and put things in their mouths, but these batteries can cause serious injury when swallowed. If a coin lithium battery gets stuck in the esophagus, there may not be any immediate symptoms, but the saliva triggers an electrical current. This chemical reaction can cause it to burn through the tissue in as little as two hours. This can require multiple surgeries and ongoing medical care to repair. Even after the battery is removed, kids can experience side effects to their vocal cords and windpipe.

If you know or suspect your child has swallowed a battery, go to the emergency room immediately.

Each year in the United States, nearly 3,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for swallowing these tiny batteries.

Keep coin-size lithium battery-controlled devices, including remote controls, watches and singing greeting cards, out of sight and reach of children. Childproof your home as much as possible, and be aware of your child’s surroundings and what could be dangerous. Consider placing duct tape over the controller to prevent kids from reaching the battery, and always lock away loose batteries.

Sources: Electrical Safety Foundation International, Safety Toolbox Topics, Consumer Reports

04Sep

Cybersafety checklist

How to keep hackers out of your home so you can enjoy the internet

Cyber criminals are only getting better. They don’t need any help.

If your online password is 1-2-3-4, or you click on links in your Facebook feed without being sure where they lead, it’s time to click your inner “refresh” button for some system maintenance.

Electric cooperatives across Kentucky and the nation are marking National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October with reminders to members.

Co-ops protect the private information of members and ensure hackers don’t tamper with the reliability of the electric grid, but consumers have a lot at stake, too. Think about losing all the photos on your smartphone or having bank or credit card information stolen from your computer.

“Cyber criminals attack the easiest targets for the least amount of work,” says Chris Hayes, chief technology officer for the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives.

“That’s why consumers are twice as likely to be attacked than companies,” Hayes explains. “Consumers can take a few basic steps to reduce their risk of becoming a target and to protect their information.”

Mix it up

Don’t use the same password or password reset questions for multiple online accounts.

Hayes warns that hackers often target less important accounts to get access to the account information of more secure accounts. Prevention methods such as two-factor authentication can be set up to prevent unauthorized access.

“Your fantasy football league could be used to pry open your checking account,” Hayes says.

Just hang up

“A computer or software company will never call you to let you know you have a virus or issue with your computer,” Hayes says. “Scam artists call and say your computer has a virus, and then try to walk you through steps to clean it up. That typically involves installing an actual virus or convincing you to pay for something where they steal your money.”

Attachment issues

Do not click on any link or attached files unless you know where it will take you.

A lot of the computer hacking problems you hear about in the news result from people clicking on links or attached files that infect their computers or mobile devices. Emails are often disguised to look like they are coming from your best friend, so simple diligence can be extremely beneficial.

Hayes suggests the best method is to verbally confirm with the sender that they sent the email and attachment.

Prevent defense

Install and use virus protection, but remember it’s not a failsafe. With modern viruses and spyware, anti-virus cannot be solely trusted to protect your data.

Don’t put that in your mouth, you don’t know where it’s been

Be cautious with USB flash drives.

“Never use flash drives that you find or are given from unknown sources,” Hayes says.

“Viruses can be loaded on the drives and then left in public areas for the unsuspecting user who picks up the drive and plugs it into their computer. Be wary of plugging into public computers. Online cloud storage is a great alternative.”

Calling for back up

Make sure you have a current copy of everything on your computer or mobile device. Every few weeks, transfer the contents to an external storage system that is stored in a separate location. Even better, consider a cloud-based system as your primary, which automatically backs up daily, and an external backup drive as your secondary.

What if your computer or phone was lost or stolen? Recent computer attacks involve ransomware that locks your computer and threatens to delete or prevent access unless you pay a ransom to the hackers. The FBI does not recommend paying a ransom to the adversary unless all other options have been exhausted and it is absolutely necessary. Paying a ransom does not guarantee the victim will regain access to their data.

Weakest link

Secure all your internet-connected devices by keeping them up to date with the most recent software updates and make sure each device has a secure password. Hackers have started invading wireless printers and baby monitors that work through the internet. These devices tend to have extremely weak, preset passwords that you probably don’t even notice. Any internet-connected device is vulnerable—smart TVs, cameras, voice-activated speakers, thermostats, video games, fitness bracelets, internet-connected refrigerators, and light bulbs.

What’s the matter with kids today?

Instruct children not to share information such as birth dates, ID numbers, vacation plans, accounts, and passwords.

“Kids frequently share Netflix accounts, which may have the same password or information as other accounts,” Hayes says. “Learn to use parental control options on your hardware and software.”

To learn more about National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and to view additional cybersecurity tips, visit StaySafeOnline.org.