While lights and other decorations can add a festive appeal to your home this holiday season, electrical safety should always come first.
Minimise the risk of fire and electric shock with the following safety tips:
- Buy the right tree. If purchasing an artificial tree, ensure it is labelled “fire retardant”, which will slow the spread of flames if a fire occurs and give you more time to extinguish it. If you’re using a real tree, pick a fresh one with needles that bend rather than break, cut the trunk to give it a new end, and water the tree regularly.
- Be cautious when decorating near power lines. Keep yourself and your tools at least 10 or more feet away from power lines at all times.
- Don’t let the lights run 24/7. Unplug your lights when you leave home and go to sleep or plug your lights into a timer or light sensor, so they turn on and off automatically.
- Store your lights properly. Pack up your lights in well-sealed plastic containers to prevent water intrusion and rodent damage.
Navigating Power Sector Modernisation in the Caribbean
We are excited to share that our President, Wayne Caines, was recently interviewed as part of CARILEC’s first Electric Utility Member Interview Series in the CE Journal.
To read more, visit: CARILEC CE JOURNAL: Navigating Power Sector Modernisation in the Caribbean – BELCO
NOTICE: FAR Decrease
With the approval of the Regulatory Authority, the Fuel Adjustment Rate (FAR) will decrease from the existing rate of 16.874 cents per kilowatt-hour sold for October to December 2022 to 14.304 cents per kilowatt-hour sold for all meter readings taken on or after January 1, 2023, until further notice.
To learn more about the FAR, visit: Understanding the Fuel Adjustment Rate – BELCO
NOTICE: Rate Change
The RA has approved a rate change per kWh beginning January 1, and the average residential customer using 650 kWhs per month will see a $6 decrease in their bill.
To learn more about the rate change, visit: Rate Change Notice – BELCO
BELCO Volunteers: BAMZ Turtle Scrub
On November 4, 2022, we partnered with the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo, once again to learn about the conservation of our green sea turtles, while scrubbing algae off of their backs. These monthly turtle spas allow the turtles to live healthily while in captivity.
BELCO Volunteers: Shelly Bay Cleanup
On November 18, 2022, we partnered up with Keep Bermuda Beautiful to host a cleanup of the Shelly Bay Park and surrounding areas. We collected a ton of garbage that consisted of plastics, bottles, a shopping cart and so much more!
Energy Efficiency: LED Lights
Durable LEDs use one third of the energy of standard lights and can last for decades.
BELCO Energy Efficiency Tips will help you save the environment, save energy, and save money!
To learn more about energy efficient lighting, visit: Energy Efficiency: Lighting – BELCO
Living Sustainably
Many ornaments are made from plastic and other synthetic materials. Some are also coated with glitter. Not only do these materials wreak havoc on the environment during production, but they continue to pollute the planet after they’re discarded. Glitter in particular contains microplastics that aren’t biodegradable, and it’s especially harmful to aquatic life if it enters waterways.
The most sustainable option when it comes to decorating your tree is reusing decorations you already have and/or making your own ornaments using materials around the house, such as mason jar lids, old clothes, branches/twigs, popsicle sticks, egg cartons, dried fruit and so on. Additionally, trimming your tree with ornaments from your childhood keeps holiday traditions alive, adding a nostalgic element to your holiday decor.
Connect & Join the Conversation
We would love to connect with you. Our online platforms aim to keep you informed of what we are doing at the plant!
BELCO Facebook: @BELCOBermuda
BELCO Twitter: @BELCOBermuda
BELCO Instagram: @BELCOBermuda
BELCO LinkedIn: BELCO Bermuda
BELCO Youtube: BELCO Bermuda
And don’t forget our website is a hub of information on all things BELCO – belco.bm!