LAKEPORT, Calif. – Just in time for Halloween, on Friday preschoolers and their parents participating in story time at the Lakeport Library learned about drains on their home energy use in the form of “energy vampires.”

About 30 children took part in the reading time with Barbara Green, library technician and children's programs coordinator, and Pacific Gas and Electric's “energy vampire,” Deanna Contreras.

The presentation showcased the toolkit funded by PG&E which is available for checkout at all Lake County library branches at no charge.

The toolkit contains a Kill-A-Watt meter, which is a small device which measures the amount of energy consumed by electrical appliances. Armed with information, residents can make informed decisions about whether to replace an old appliance and the importance of unplugging electrical devices when not in use.

PG&E will show customers how to use the Kill-A-Watt meter by connecting the meter to common appliances like a fan, lamp, and hair dryer during the interactive library demonstration.

The toolkit is available to be checked out for at least a week. Each kit contains a meter and instructions in English, Spanish and Chinese.

As part of the event, parents also received information about Energy Saving Myths.

The program was launched in 2012 in an effort to enhance energy efficiency in the communities PG&E serves.