Earth Hour – the global one-hour challenge to help the environment – is being celebrated today Saturday, March 26 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Oshawa Fire Services (OFS) and other agencies in Durham are reminding residents to exercise fire safety when turning off the lights and unplugging non-essential power sources during the Earth Hour.
OFS strongly encourages the use of flashlights, battery-operated lanterns or flameless candles for light, instead of candles. Candle fires continue to be a leading cause of fires, it said in a statement.
If candles are used, Oshawa Fire Services suggests the following safety tips:
- Use sturdy candleholders that won’t tip or burn;
- Keep lit candles a safe distance away from anything that can burn;
- Keep candles, matches and lighters out of reach of children;
- Always stay in the room where candles are being used, and blow all candles out when you leave the room;
- Keep candles out of all bedrooms; and
- Before any candles are lit, test the smoke alarms in your home to ensure that they are working. Smoke alarms are required on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. Removing or tampering with smoke and carbon monoxide devices can result in fines up to $50,000 for an individual and/or one-year imprisonment.
During Earth Hour rethink how much energy you actually use and where you can minimize energy waste.
Consider adopting these energy conserving tips provided by the Oshawa Environmental Advisory Committee.
- Most household energy use is from heating your home. Try turning the heat down a few degrees and wearing a sweater and wool socks to keep warm;
- Take a screen time break for one hour and unplug your electronics. Play a board game as a family or read a book instead;
- Water heating takes up a lot of energy too. Consider doing laundry on a cold cycle and taking cooler or shorter showers; and
- Look around your home for ‘Vampire Lights’ (i.e. those little red or green lights that are always on with many gadgets and appliances). Each light can use one (1) watt of power which can add up to 10 per cent of household energy consumption.
Reduce consumption by plugging those appliances and machines in together using a power bar. At night the power bars can be turned off with their switch. It’s important to remember that some appliances must be on to operate effectively (fridge, freezer, computers – if they must charge, etc.).Take inventory and make a change.
Visit the Natural Resources Canada website for more energy-conservation tips.