Neat to Know: December 18, 2025

And as always, ensure that you have working smoke alarms in the home, and in case of an emergency, call 9-1-1. For more holiday safety tips, visit: medicinehat.ca/fire.

Good gravy! Keep FOG and wipes out of pipes

As you prepare for big holiday meals and more visitors later this month, please remember that Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) do not belong in the sewer – neither do “flushable” wipes.

No one wants their holiday and family time to be spent cleaning up a sewer backup! Follow these tips to avoid an unfortunate mess:

• Scrape leftover food off plates and serving dishes into the garbage before washing.
• Pour liquid FOG including gravies, sauces and leftover grease into an empty jar or can; once cooled, throw in the garbage.
• Soaps labeled as “grease fighting” and garburators do not minimize the effects that FOG has on the sewers but instead disperses the FOG further down the lines to recollect, solidify, and possibly causing blockages and sewer backup for you and your neighbours.
• Dispose of “flushable” wipes in the garbage – these wipes are designed with fibres that take a long time to break down in water, causing sewer backups and damaging infrastructure along the way.

By following these tips, you can keep a lot of unwanted materials from wreaking havoc on sewer systems and pipes, to help with a stress-free and mess-free holiday.

Read more on our Wastewater webpage.

Holiday guests and your utility bill

The holidays are all about togetherness and sometimes that means welcoming loved ones into your home. While hosting is joyful, it can also lead to a little extra energy use. Every January, we hear from customers wondering why their bills are higher than usual. Heating and festive lights often get the blame, but there’s another factor that’s easy to overlook: holiday guests!

If you had friends or family staying overnight or for an extended visit, you may notice a bump in your utility usage. Here’s why:

1. Heating or Cooling

• More people coming and going means doors opening more often, letting warm air out and cool air in.
• Fireplaces add cozy vibes but they also add to your energy bill.

2. Lighting

• Extra rooms in use mean lights stay on longer.
• Holiday décor like string lights and inflatables can add to electricity use.

3. Cooking and Appliances

• Big holiday meals keep ovens, stoves, and microwaves working overtime.
• Dishwashers and fridges work harder with more food and dishes.

4. Water

• Showers, laundry, and dishwashing increase hot water demand.
• And yes, every flush counts!

5. Electronics and Vehicles

• Guests often charge devices, watch TV, or play games.
• Visitors with vehicles may need to plug in during cold weather.

Easy ways to keep energy use in check

• Lower the thermostat a degree or two. Extra bodies help keep things warm.
• Turn down your water heater to 49°C (120°F).
• Use LED lights and set decorations on timers.
• Cook smart: batch dishes in the oven and use slow cookers or microwaves for smaller meals.
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full.
• Unplug chargers and devices when not in use.
• Wash linens in cold water and air dry when possible.

Enjoy every moment with your loved ones this season, and with a few simple energy-saving tips, you can keep the holidays bright without dimming your budget!

Get your tickets

CPKC Holiday Train

Sunday, Dec. 21 | 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. | CKPC Rail Yard near Queen Street (view location)

In its 27th year of spreading cheer while collecting food and raising money for food insecurity, the CPKC Holiday Train reaches Medicine Hat on Sunday, December 21 with performers Lanco and Tiera Kennedy aboard.

Bundle up and bring a non-perishable food item or monetary donation for our local food bank to enjoy the show!

Our new mobile app, Active MH is designed to make your experience with our recreation services easier and more convenient than ever. This app allows you to browse, register, and pay for recreation programs right from your mobile device, and access to a digital version of your membership card.

To learn more about the app, create your profile and download, click here.

To view all our career opportunities at the City of Medicine Hat, visit our website and sign up for job alerts.

Permanent, Full time, On Site

The Environmental Specialist plays a pivotal role in ensuring City operations align with environmental regulations and best practices. This role will manage diverse environmental projects, obtain necessary approvals, and collaborate with regulatory bodies. Additionally, this position will provide technical expertise, manage various environmental related assessment and oversee mitigation measures.

Learn more an apply