Page 4 - May 2023 Newsletter

TRADITIONAL GERMAN SAFETY LINES

SPAETZLE May is National Electrical Safety Month
Ingredients: Servings: 6 Electricity helps make our lives easier, but its potential for
shock and fire-related hazards is real and often underestimat-
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (you can use whole wheat flour) ed. National Electrical Safety Month, an annual campaign
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt sponsored by (ESFI), raises awareness of potential home elec-
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg, optional trical hazards, the importance of electrical fire safety, and the
• 4 large eggs safety of electrical and non-electrical workers, each May. Tak-
• 1/2 cup milk or water + more as needed
• butter for serving ing some simple steps can help prevent electrical accidents or
fires.
Directions:
General Extension Cord Safety Tips
Step 1 - Add the flour and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir - Never use extension cords as a constant, long-term exten-
to combine. Crack the eggs into a small bowl and whisk them. sion of your household’s electrical system. Continuous use can
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the eggs cause an extension cord to deteriorate and can result in a po-
in it. Add the milk (start with using slightly less and add more as tentially dangerous elec-
needed). Attach a dough hook to the stand mixer and “knead” tric shock or fire hazard.
the dough for 16-20 minutes, or until bubbles appear. After 15 - Never plug a space
minutes or less of beating, use a wooden spoon to scoop and pull heater into an extension
the dough. If bubbles/holes appear, the dough is done.
cord or power strip.
Step 2 - Bring at least 2 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil, - Never plug two ex-
then reduce to a simmer. Using a Spätzle maker of your choice tension cords together.
(I use and prefer the Spätzle press), press the noodles into the Doing so can result in
simmering water and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until the overloaded circuits, short circuits, and damaged cords, which
noodles float to the top. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the noo- could lead to fires or electric shocks. Instead of plugging ex-
dles to a colander, and then dump the noodles in a large bowl of tension cords together, consider installing additional outlets
ice water. Drain the noodles again, toss with some melted butter where needed.
and serve warm. - Do not run cords through walls, doorways, ceilings, or under
rugs or carpet. If a cord is covered, heat cannot escape and can
Step 3 - Make Ahead: The Spaetzle can be stored in the fridge for create a fire hazard.
at least a couple of days and then reheated. Melt some butter in a
large skillet and toss the Spätzle in it to heat through. - Make sure that your extension cord or power strip is proper-
ly rated for the device that will be plugged in and is marked for
either indoor or outdoor use.
NOTE: Traditionally Spätzle batter is quite thick
because it was cut into noodles using the board & Working Safely with Electricity
knife method. Even if using a Spätzle press or other - Never touch a fallen overhead power line.
method, thicker batter yields a better consistency. - Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead wires during clean-
If you’re using the Spätzle press yes, it will require up and other activities. If working at heights or handling long
some muscle strength - you don’t want the batter to objects, survey the area before starting work for the presence
be so runny that it squishes right through with ease. of overhead wires.
That said, if you’re straining way too hard to press the - If an overhead wire falls across your vehicle while you are
batter through, go ahead and add a bit more liquid to driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away
thin it out. from the line. If the engine stalls, do not leave your vehicle.
- Warn people not to touch the vehicle or
the wire. Call or ask someone to call the lo-
cal electric utility company and emergency
services.
- Never repair electrical cords or equip-
ment unless qualified and authorized.