When you turn out the lights during earth hour, don’t light up the candles and if you do be very careful
That advice from Owen Sound Fire Prevention officer Greg Nicol says rather than use candles, use battery powered flashlights or lanterns.
Nicol says if candles must be used, special care should be taken to prevent a fire.
He recommends the use of sturdy candleholders that won’t tip or burn.
Those with glass shades or chimneys are best.
Keep lit candles a safe distance away from anything that can burn and keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
Always stay in the room where candles are being used.
Blow all candles out before leaving a room and keep candles out of all bedrooms.
Nicol also cautions about turning off the main breaker to cut power use during earth hour.
He says that could be dangerous as it turns off power to any hard wired smoke or co2 detectors.
Nicol says as you go around and turn off power bars for earth hour check on the condition of any extension cords and make sure non of the power bars are overloaded.