As Bermuda prepares for Hurricane Erin, the Ministry of Home Affairs is reminding residents of several steps they can take to conserve energy, reduce risk to household appliances, and lower electricity costs.

Today the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, said, “Preparation includes securing windows and stocking supplies, and it is also about reducing system load, protecting your home’s infrastructure, and ensuring that your household can recover quickly if outages occur. These measures consider cost and preservation.

“To assist residents, the Department of Energy is reissuing its Storm-Season Energy Checklist, a practical reference guide to help households navigate the storm with greater security and affordability. These measures are especially critical for seniors, renters, and families relying on backup generators or limited power systems. These practical actions can help reduce the risk of power loss, minimise system stress, and preserve critical appliances during storm events. Preserving energy at the household level helps protect the wider grid.”

As a reference the Department of Energy's storm season energy household checklist includes the following tips:

Before the storm (24 hours ahead):

• Replace lights with LED bulbs (free from post offices)
• Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms
• Unplug idle electronics (TVs, game consoles, microwaves, phone chargers)
• Set A/C between 68° - 72° F or on dehumidifier mode early in the day
• Install or set timers on water heaters to reduce usage during peak hours
• Check flashlights and battery-operated fans
• Wash and dry clothes now to reduce power draw later
• Charge all devices and backup power sources fully

Before a storm arrives:

• Unplug all major appliances (fridge last)
• Ensure all external plugs are weather-protected or disconnected
• Reduce fridge and freezer temperature in advance to preserve food longer
• Turn off water heater at the breaker (especially for electric models)

During and after the storm:

• Use appliances only if power is confirmed stable or on backup
• Do not reconnect large appliances until utility service is restored and stable
• Report downed lines or suspicious energy issues to BELCO

Preparedness begins at home. For more resources and storm readiness materials, visit: www.energy.gov.bm

As a reminder, please stay abreast of official updates from the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) by visiting www.gov.bm/news and by following the Government’s social media platforms.