Dennise Williams, Staff reporter
"NOT EVEN one. I haven't seen one house with pepper lights in my [housing] scheme so far this year," quipped a Constant Spring Road resident.
In December 2004, retailer MegaMart awarded 'Most Decorated House' to the Bonner family of the Monza scheme in Greater Portmore.
This year, Joseph Bonner says, "Not putting up any lights this year. The light bill has gone up too high, so I am giving it a break this year."
Last year, excluding December, Mr. Bonner's light bill was around $3,000 per month. This year, his light bill averages $5,000 per month, a 66 per cent increase. However, he tells Sunday Business that this year he received a six per cent salary increase.
As to installing pepper lights next year, his sentiment is an uncertain, "Maybe. I am watching the light bill."
FEELING THE PINCH
But it is not just middle-income Jamaica that is feeling the pinch. A Norbrook, St. Andrew resident tells us, "I have a one-acre property and each year to light it properly at Christmas, I have to bring in an electrician. I won't be doing that extravagance this year."
And so, based on a totally unscientific survey, we have
created a pepper light index - a measure of how many homes are lit as an indication of how much disposable income for Christmas frivolities Jamaicans have to spend.
Now, it is merely conjecture and not based on hard facts, but the general sentiment can be summed by a quip from a graphic designer: "No matter how much I conserve, my bill remains the same. My consumption drops, but the money doesn't."
However, Jamaica Public Service (JPS) does not see itself as the 'Grinch that stole Christmas'.
Winsome Callum, manager of JPS' corporate communication division says: "I think people are waiting to put up pepper lights closer to Christmas. Yes, last year, pepper lights did come out around this time, but if people are cutting back, it is not because of rising energy costs, but costs in general.
"What we have noticed is that from the last week in November, commercial activity picks up. Businesses decorate and open for longer hours. Additionally,
manufacturing picks up as well. Residential electrical usage picks up closer to the week of Christmas."
Now, in case you were
planning to deck the halls, Ms. Callum offers these money-
saving and safety tips.
* Check lights, before installation. Before stringing lights, inspect for cracked sockets, frayed, loose or bare wires or loose connections. Unplug light strings before replacing bulbs or fuses.
* Replace damaged ornament parts with manufacturer-specified items. Bulbs with too-high wattage are a fire hazard.
* Use appropriate wattage bulbs and cords: Low-wattage ornaments burning high-wattage bulbs or overloaded extension cords may result in electric shocks and burns.
* Don't join too many strings of lights together: Check light strings to see how many strings can be safely joined end to end. As a rule of thumb, don't string together more than three midgets (push-in bulbs). Electric shock or burns result from too many light strings strung end to end.
* Turn off before going to bed: Always turn off electric
decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
* Don't overload cords: Never overload extension cords. Refer to the label for the capacity rating in amps.
* Keep lights away from heat sources: Do not mount or place Christmas lights near candles or other similar sources of heat.
Taken from The Sunday Gleaner, December 11, 2005
