Before you could even cannonball into the pool, back to school displays popped up in stores just after Memorial Day. Each summer seems to go by faster than the last. The return to the classroom is almost here - are you ready? In just weeks, backpacks will be filled with fresh supplies and school buses will be back on the roads. Even if you don't have a student heading back, there are still several ways you can save money and stay safe this time of year. 

Add Efficiency into the Routine

For many, preparing for another school year means buying markers, notebooks, glue, pencils and more to give students the tools they need for success. As you check items off your back to school to do list, consider adding energy-efficiency practices to that list - it could potentially save energy and money on your monthly bill. Incorporate tips like those below, which may be easier than the sixth grade math homework you are asked to help with:

• Adjust your thermostat. As members of your household return to school during the day, adjust your thermostat setting so you aren’t continually pumping cool air into an empty house. Once everyone returns home for the day, adjust to your comfort level.
• Be smart about afterschool. After kids get off the bus, the rush of afterschool begins. For some, that may mean a prolonged use of electronics or long hours of homework. Consider using a smart power strip for those electronics and LED bulbs for desk lights. Small, inexpensive adjustments like these can offer big savings in the long run.
• Be kind to your refrigerator. As you pack lunches or have kids grabbing after school snacks, your fridge might be left open for longer periods. Ensure each time someone does open the fridge, it gets closed to save cold air from escaping. Consider also grabbing all the things you may need to pack lunches in one stop to prevent your fridge from working harder and using more energy as it would in multiple trips.
• Bonus for Businesses: Whether at home or at work, when you are no longer using a device, give it a rest. Whether a charger for a laptop or a toaster to make breakfast, unplug it until you need to use it again.

Lead the Safe Commute Effort

The quiet streets will soon be busier with buses, kids biking or walking to school and families dropping students off. Many students might not understand the potential risks that come with their commute. This is your opportunity to keep students safe by remaining focused and alert during your own commute.

• Eliminate possible distractions. Checking your phone or adjusting your radio can take your eyes off the road, even for a second. This is especially important by neighborhood bus stops and school zones where kids will be gathered.
• Follow speed limits in school zones. Slow down and be alert for young commuters who may not always cross where or when they should and may not be fully aware of the traffic around them.  
• Never pass a stopped bus. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate a bus has stopped and children will be getting off or on. Vehicles must stop and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm has been withdrawn and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again. 
• Don’t block a crosswalk. This creates a hazard for pedestrians, especially young students, as they venture out into roadways to get across the street.  

I&M hopes everyone has a safe and successful school year ahead. For more tips to stay energy efficient year round, visit ElectricIdeas.com. For additional safety tips related to weather, power lines and more, visit the safety page on our website.