School is out for summer and that means many kids will be home with tons of energy – and using lots of energy in the home.

PG&E wants parents to know that the company offers savings and safety tips year-round, but summer is a great time for families to learn ways to save energy and money.

It’s also a good opportunity to teach children how to stay safe around electricity and natural gas. 

Summertime energy and money saving tips

PG&E wants customers to know that summer can be better when we save together and offers customers even more ways to save.

Energy usage is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California and by taking steps to save, parents and students can all be part of the solution to reduce the impacts of climate change.

– Avoid using the oven on hot days. Instead, cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside.
– Save on cooling costs by setting your thermostat to 78°F when you're at home, health permitting. Set it to 85°F when you're away for more than a few hours.
– If possible, enjoy an afternoon out at the pool, park or local library. You can also visit your community cooling centers ( see www.pge.com/coolingcenter ).
– Wait until cooler times of the day to do tasks that make your house warmer, like laundry and cooking.
– If you turn your ceiling fan on when using the air conditioner, you can raise your thermostat about 4°F to save on cooling costs with no reduction in comfort.
– Turn off lights when not in use.
– Unplug computers, appliances and equipment when you’re not using them.

Don't forget to take advantage of the many rebate incentives offered by PG&E for energy-efficiency purchases and improvements.

From lighting to appliances to maintenance and upgrades that won’t break the bank, PG&E offers incentives to help you take control of your energy use and your monthly bill.

Complete the customized Home Energy Checkup to learn more about the energy usage in your home. Find energy saving tips, available incentives and ways you can SAVE on your bill this summer at www.pge.com/saveenergymoney .
 
Gas and electric safety in the home

Summer is almost here and with more kids at home, PG&E urges customers to be safe and prepared for natural gas and electric emergencies in the home.

Gas leak safety

– Keep a flashlight handy. Never use matches or candles to look for gas leaks, and never turn any electric switches on or off if you suspect a gas leak.
– If the smell of gas continues, or if you have any doubts, open windows and doors and get everyone out of the building. Using a phone away from the building, call 9-1-1 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
– Avoid causing a gas leak by calling 8-1-1 two working days before digging to have gas pipelines and other underground utility lines located and marked for FREE.
– Don’t just rely on your nose to detect the presence of natural gas.
      
In addition to the odor added to natural gas, the following signs may indicate the presence of a gas leak:

– Hissing, whistling or roaring sounds.
– Damaged connections to gas appliances.
– Dead or dying vegetation in otherwise moist areas over or near pipeline areas.
– Unusual soil movement or bubbling water.
– Exposed pipeline after an earthquake, fire, flood or other disaster.

Electric outage preparation and safety

– Have battery operated flashlights with fresh batteries on hand.
– During an outage, use battery-operated flashlights, and not candles, due to the risk of fire. If you must use candles, keep them away from drapes, lampshades and small children. Do not leave candles unattended.
– Have battery operated radios with fresh batteries for updates on storm conditions and outages.
– Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator and freezer during an outage to prevent food from spoiling.
– Secure or put away any outside items such as garbage cans and lawn furniture that can be blown by high winds into overhead power lines.
– If you experience an outage, unplug or turn off all electric appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.

For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On June 16, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s Incident Response team, Lake County Fire Protection District and volunteers from the Red Cross and Spring Valley Community Emergency Response Team came together to perform a disaster preparedness drill on hospital grounds. 

The purpose of this activity was to have multiple agencies test their coordinated response to a situation requiring patient isolation, decontamination, creation of an alternate care site, communications, and resource requests in order to address the possibility of a large-scale public health emergency wherein many people would need to receive medical care. 

St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake thanked all agencies involved for their professionalism and collaboration in this important exercise.

The scenario, called the “Unknown Contamination Incident” was carried out with help from nine local students, who played the role of students who had been sprayed with an unknown chemical compound. 

Students were taken to an alternative care site set up in the lower parking lot of the St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake campus, where first responders from EMS and LCFPD conducted the decontamination portion of the drill so the patients could then be triaged and treated. 

Emergency preparedness drills of this nature are not required by any state or federal agency. 

“The drill went smoothly and, though post-event debriefing did identify areas to be improved upon, that was the whole point of the drill,” said Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta. 

When asked for the kids’ perspectives, most of them said, “It was fun!”

For more information about the hospital visit www.StHelenaHospitalClearlake.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Senior Activity Center will hold its third annual “Hot August Nites” car show and concert on Saturday, Aug. 15.

The 1950s-themed event will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. at Library Park, 222 Park St. in Lakeport.

There will be raffles and contests throughout the evening, including a contest for those dressing in 1950s attire.

The schedule is as follows:

– 4 p.m.: “Cruise the Main,” informal cruise down Main Street, Lakeport. Vote for your favorite motorcycle, vintage car and truck.

– 5 to 9 p.m.: Visit the vendors stands for food, crafts, 1950s memorabilia and more.

– 6 to 9 p.m.: A free concert by one of Lake County's favorites, the LC Diamonds.

For more information call the Lakeport Senior Activity Center at 707-263-4218

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – District 3 Supervisor Jim Steele will be the guest speaker at the Lake County Democratic Club on Tuesday, July 14.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church social hall, 16255 Second St., Lower Lake.

Steele will discuss goals for his first year and address current issues in the county. Time will be allotted for questions and answers.

Lake County Democratic Club meetings are open to the public. Membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The Lake County Democratic Club is an officially chartered club of the Democratic Party of Lake County.

Visit www.lakecountydemocraticclub.org or contact the club at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Sons of Norway Vikings of Lake Lodge No. 6-166 will hold its next heritage and culture event on Sunday, Aug. 16.

The group will meet beginning at 1 p.m. at the Galilee Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 8860 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.

The cost is a $5 donation.

The afternoon events include fellowship, interesting programs, a quick Norwegian language lesson and, occasionally, some dancing.

Visit the lodge's Web site at http://www.vikingsoflakelodge.org/ .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County PEG TV 8 Board will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, July 8.

The meeting will take place beginning at 6 p.m. in the Clearlake City Council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Agenda items include interviews and the appointment to the board of two public members.

The board also will consider leasing studio space and fundraising events, and a possible invitation to MediaStar to make a presentation.

Also on Wednesday, the board will approve the minutes of the May 15 meeting, and hear reports from the programmers and chair.

LCPTV is Lake County's public, education and government Channel 8 on Mediacom.

Current board members include Chair Ed Robey and Vice Chair Martin Scheel, and board members Denise Loustalot, Vince Metzger and Eric Hoefler.