Free appliance marking for visually impaired customers

Please select the service you want to use:

• Newsvine
• Digg
• Delicious
• StumbleUpon
• Technorati
• Buzz
• Favorites
• Google Reader

MINNEAPOLIS - Operating kitchen stoves, ovens, microwaves and other appliances can be challenging - even hazardous - for blind and visually impaired people.

But it's less challenging for approximately 1,900 Xcel Energy customers who have been served by the company's Kitchen Appliance Marking Program (KAMP), now in its 23rd year.

The program is a free service for Twin Cities metro-area Xcel Energy customers and is provided by teams of trained Xcel Energy retiree volunteers and their spouses who visit recipients' homes to apply peel-and-stick bubbles or brightly colored dots to controls primarily on stoves, microwave ovens, dishwashers and thermostats.

"We receive many positive comments on how important the program is for recipients to continue living independently and safely in their homes," said program manager Ceace Haagensen. "We consider the safety of our customers to be a top priority, especially our customers who have special needs."

Xcel Energy works with key community partners, the Minnesota State Services for the Blind and Vision Loss Resources in implementing this free service for Twin Cities metro-area customers.

KAMP is one program Xcel Energy offers to ensure customers can operate their appliances in a safe manner and efficient manner. In addition, Xcel Energy encourages customers to keep appliance motors clear of lint and dust, unplug appliances before cleaning them and have a qualified electrician assess their electric load, leaving repairs and installations to the experts.

Visually impaired customers interested in free appliance marking should contact the Xcel Energy KAMP phone line at 612-330-6259 and include their name, address and phone number, along with a brief message. Requests can also be submitted to the following email address: ceace.haagensen@xcelenergy.com. A KAMP volunteer will be assigned to the request and respond to the customer within four to six working days to schedule an appointment for providing the appliance markings.