Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

People around the GTA will be dimming their lights Saturday night to join millions around the world in observing Earth Hour.

Organized annually by the World Wildlife Fund, the global events asks people to dim their lights and cut back on their energy usage for an hour on Saturday, March 29 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

This year, WWF-Canada is asking people to use the occasion to reflect on their environmental choices by using the hash tag, #momentofdarkness on social media.

So far the campaign has garnered contributions from high-profile Canadians such as Jason Priestley, William Shatner, Chris Hadfield, Roberta Bondar and Jill Barber, with the celebrities offering their own reflections in video messages posted to a dedicated website.

Those venturing out Saturday night can still participate, with a number of events taking place around the city to mark the global event.

A free outdoor concert hosted by WWF-Canada, the Riverside BIA and Ralph Thornton Centre will be held at Queen Street East and Saulter Street at 7:45 p.m. It will feature performances by the GLO Show Choir and the Lucas Stagg Band. Free hot chocolate will be provided for those who bring a reusable mug.

Mill St. Brewery is also holding “Lights Out for Mill Street,” a series of candle-lit concerts taking place at over 60 venues around the city. The events will feature live acoustic entertainment, with 50 cents from every pint of Mill Street going to Earth Day Canada.

Firefighters urge caution

As always, officials are urging people to use caution when turning out the lights for Earth Hour.

Toronto Fire Services is recommending that people not use candles during Earth Hour as there has been an increase in the number of candle fires seen in recent years. Instead, firefighters advise using battery-powered flashlights.

If candles must be used however, firefighters recommend doing the following to stay safe:

• Always stay in the room where candles are lit

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room

• Avoid using candles in bedrooms

• Keep candles at least one metre away from anything that can burn

• Keep candles, matches and lighters hidden and out of the reach of children

• Use sturdy candle holders that won’t tip or burn and consider using a candle holder that encloses the flame in a glass shade or chimney

• Extinguish candles when they burn to within five centimetres (two inches) of their holder

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every storey of your home

• Prepare and practise your home fire escape plan.