Almost 1 in 10 B.C. residents decorates more for Halloween than for Christmas, survey finds
Nearly one in 10 British Columbians decorates more for Halloween than for Christmas, according to a new survey conducted for BC Hydro.
The online survey conducted by Majid Khoury asked 801 B.C. residents about their holiday decorating habits and electricity use. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 3.46 percentage points, according to BC Hydro.
The poll asked respondents whether they decorate more for Christmas and other winter holidays or for Halloween. Most (62 per cent) said they decorate more for Christmas, but eight per cent said they decorate more for Halloween and 24 per cent said they decorate the same amount for both holidays.
BC Hydro said a rising number of B.C. residents are putting up "mega displays" of Halloween decorations.
“BC Hydro data shows holiday displays account for about three per cent of the provincial electricity load during the holidays," says BC Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder, in a news release.
"Halloween displays could eventually reach that level if the trend continues at its current pace."
The poll found 24 per cent of British Columbians say they put up Halloween displays that use electronics. Of those, about one in five use multiple electric decorations, such as outdoor lights, electronic jack-o-lanterns and plug-in inflatables.
This can increase electricity costs, especially if older, incandescent lights are being used. Roughly eight per cent of B.C. light displays use exclusively incandescent light bulbs, according to BC Hydro. Another 22 per cent have at least some of the energy-inefficient lights in the mix.
The utility recommends people reduce their energy consumption and save money on holiday light displays by switching to LED lights and using timers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.