Small Things Make a Big Difference 

As we move into September, we are right in the middle of hurricane season. Here in eastern North Carolina, we know all too well that a storm can change our plans in a matter of hours. While we cannot control when or where a storm will make landfall, there are small things each of us can do to be better prepared.

At Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation, our members are at the heart of everything we do. That means being here not only when the lights go out, but also helping you prepare before a storm ever arrives.

A few simple steps can make a big difference. Keep an eye on the forecast when a storm is approaching, make sure you know how to report an outage, and have flashlights, batteries and other emergency supplies ready. If you have a generator, make sure it is properly installed and operated safely. Taking a few minutes now can save a lot of frustration later.

The same idea applies to the energy we use every day.

Small changes around your home can add up to meaningful savings. Adjusting your thermostat a few degrees, turning off lights when you leave a room, using energy-efficient bulbs and appliances, and being mindful of when and how you use your largest energy-consuming appliances are all simple things that can make a difference on your monthly bill.

None of these things, by themselves, may seem like much. But when small actions become habits, they add up.

That is also true of the work we do at your cooperative. Every phone call answered, every outage reported, every line inspected, every pole set, and every member helped is one small part of a much bigger effort to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity to the communities we serve.

Hurricane season is a good reminder that we are all better prepared when we take the time to do the little things. So as we head into the heart of the season, take a few minutes to prepare your home, pay attention to changing weather conditions and look for those small opportunities to use energy wisely.

At JOEMC, we will continue doing our part to be prepared and to be there for our members when they need us. Because in the end, it is the small things we do every day that add up to something much bigger.