According to The Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical incidents cause 43,900 home fires and 1,430 injuries each year. Here is a list of simple tips for a safer home:
- Always replace damaged or loose electrical cords.
- Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
- Never yank an electrical cord from the wall.
- Avoid overloading outlets and never use extension cords as permanent outlets.
- Only use bulbs that match electronics recommended wattage.
- Never use electrical equipment near water.
Community Support
BAMZ Turtle Scrub
Date: Friday, August 25, 2023
We joined forces with Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo supported by Bermuda Zoological Society once again to volunteer at their monthly turtle Scrub!
In The News
Fuel Adjustment Rate Increase
With the approval of the Regulatory Authority, the Fuel Adjustment Rate (FAR) will increase from the existing rate of 16.513 cents per kilowatt-hour sold for 1 July 2023, to 30 September 2023, to 24.517 cents per kilowatt-hour sold for all meter readings takenon or after 1 October 2023, until further notice.
For more information, visit: Understanding the Fuel Adjustment Rate | BELCO
Trim Trees. Prevent Outages.
Did you know that falling branches cause most storm-related power outages? Trim your trees at least 10ft from power lines to reduce storm-related power outages.
Call 295-5111 or email three weeks in advance to schedule a power shutdown so you can trim safely.
For more information, visit: Storms | BELCO
To listen to Shelly Leman’s interview on Ocean 89, visit: Ocean 89 | Shelley Thunder | Interview Topic: Hurricane Preparedness – YouTube
Summer Student Highlights
With 15 students in the summer of 2023, we wanted to highlight their roles, accomplishments and thoughts on the BELCO summer student experience. We welcomed the following students: Liam Walker, Jorja Thomas, Jasmin Williams, Chloe Smith, Undrea Fraser, JaminFubler, Samantha Rance, Joshua Joseph, LaKeirah Cunningham, Morissa-Lee Brown, Neriah Bean, Reese McKoy, Hasheem Webb, Hayley Davis and Amon Simons.
Learn More: Summer Student Highlights | BELCO
BELCO History: Growth, Engines, Grid Development & Increasing Demand
BELCO has been providing electricity to Bermuda and Bermudians since 1907. You may be aware of the evolution of Bermuda, but are you aware of the evolution of BELCO and the pivotal role we have played in the progress of the country and the lives of Bermudians?
Learn More: BELCO History: Growth, Engines, Grid Development & Increasing Demand | BELCO
Energy Efficiency Tip: Modifying Behaviours
Small, simple actions and behavioural changes can add up to substantial savings in wasted energy and costs over the long term. We recommend trying some of these tips:
- Unplug gaming consoles/systems when not in use.
- Stop overcharging your mobile phones by leaving them on charge all night.
- Consider utilising your mobile phone settings, such as screen brightness, battery-saving-mode and airplane mode, to reduce your phone’s charging time.
BELCO Energy Efficiency Tips will help you save the environment, save energy, and save money!
To learn more, visit: Energy Efficiency: Modifying Behaviours | BELCO
Living Sustainably
The world is drowning under the weight of plastic pollution. Two-thirds are short-lived products that soon become waste, filling the ocean and often, working their way into the human food chain. One of the most damaging and long-lived legacies of theplastic pollution crisis is microplastics, a growing threat to human and planetary health.
As the name implies, microplastics, are tiny plastics particles – officially defined as plastics less than five millimetres in diameter. There are two categories of microplastics: primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are tiny particles designed to bevery small for them to carry out their intended function. These tiny particles can often be found in everyday items, such as, small spheres in exfoliating face washes or as fine powder in toothpaste and sunscreen. Secondary microplastics are particles thatresult from the breakdown of larger plastic over time either through abrasion, wind or sun rays, and become microplastics. Items such as water bottles, food containers, paints, adhesives and electronics are all examples of materials that can break down andrelease secondary microplastics.
Microplastics can travel through waterways and end up in the ecosystems that serve as homes to a range of marine life, soil, air and unfortunately, even commercial food and drinking water. When consumers manage their personal exposure to microplastics, theyalso keep microplastics from entering the environment. Avoid single-use plastics and products with microbeads like exfoliating cosmetics. Beyond adjusting your individual consumption habits to reduce future microplastics, you can raise awareness by gettinginvolved in local cleanups to reduce the plastics already polluting the environment.
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!