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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2011-11-17, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011. PAGE 7. THE EDITOR, We often hear “smoke alarms save lives” and “install smoke alarms, it’s the law” but what does it really mean to the home owner? In 1975 Ontario homes were required to have smoke alarms outside all sleeping areas. Then in 2006 it was mandated that all Ontario homes were required to have smoke alarms on every storey within the home. This upgrade was initiated after a young boy lost his life on Base Borden at a structure fire in his home. The family had a functioning smoke alarm as required near the sleeping areas. Every year fire departments remind homeowners to change their batteries when they change their clocks. We offer inspections to make sure homeowners are compliant with their smoke alarms, but more importantly that their families are safe. As a front line firefighter there is nothing that makes our heart sink more than the pager going off and responding to a house fire. We know what the chances are for the occupants, if we arrive and they are not out and waiting at their predetermined meeting spot. We hope that they have listened to our constant reminding that they need smoke alarms on every storey and they need fresh batteries at least once a year. We hope residents do this, not just because it’s the law; it is the best chance for their family to survive the fire. I’m writing this letter to offer proactive inspections to anyone within the community that wants me to come to their property and make sure that all is compliant and safe within their homes. If I find issues that need to be fixed, I will offer any help/suggestions I can give. That being said, last week I attended a structure fire call within Morris-Turnberry. I found a home with no functioning smoke alarms. Not one. The house had enough smoke in it that it required ventilation. One of the great myths is that you will smell the smoke and wake up. Most likely you won’t. The pager will go, firefighters will respond, praying there are smoke alarms. And if there aren’t? I will do whatever it takes to help each and every resident with regards to making sure they are fire safety proactively. That being said if I get called to a property after the fact, and I see that the homeowners have put themselves and their families at risk by not installing, and keeping their smoke alarms functional. I will lay charges which start at $235. The call last week faced $705 in Ontario Fire Code smoke alarm charges. I instead opted to use this issue as an example to educate that fines are an option. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to make sure their home is compliant. If I can help you at any time through fire education or inspections please let me know. We do have smoke alarms available for sale at $8 per alarm at the Morris-Turnberry Municipal Office should you require any. James Marshall Community Fire Safety Officer Municipality of Morris- Turnberry. THE EDITOR, For almost 50 years, the Huron County Christmas Bureau has cherished the idea/ideal that no child should be forgotten at Christmas. You have been providing Christmas cheer for children (and their families) over all these years, children whose parents are unable to “Santa” them. Every year, over 1,000 children have a Christmas made merry through your generosity. The original resolve continues that no child will be without a Christmas and no parent will have to say “Sorry, Santa passed us by this year.” We can all be Santas! This is a critical year: the economic downturn continues and the widespread damage from the tornado was not just local or physical. Former donors may need to request help this year, a difficult reversal; we hope that anyone in this situation will remember that to give and to receive are both acts of gratitude. The Christmas Bureau is a county-wide volunteer group that organizes five gift centres (bureaus) for disadvantaged families. The gifts (toys, clothes, food, food vouchers) are donated, or purchased with cash donations (for which the donor receives a tax receipt). Hundreds of volunteers and donors participate each year. How does the Christmas Bureau work? The Christmas Bureau is independent, but we could not function without the support of the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society (e.g. office space, phone lines), our community churches and you, the caring members of our community. There are five local bureaus that provide for our communities (Clinton, Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth, Wingham). These gift centres are located in local churches and the members of these churches donate many, many hours collecting (each community had drop boxes), sorting, organizing, displaying … then helping you choose your children’s gifts. The Central Committee is so grateful to the volunteer churches and their members. They are the Christmas Bureau. How does the Christmas Bureau work for you? If you are a custodial parent and live in Huron County and need help to make your Christmas merry this year, call “Christmas Central” (519-524-7356 x3271 or 1- 800-265-5198 x3271) from Monday to Friday (Nov. 21 to Dec. 9). When you call, be sure to have ready the ages and clothing sizes of your children. You will be given an appointment (between Dec. 12 and 15) at your local Christmas Bureau. You will privately choose suitable gifts for your family at that time. How can you help the Christmas Bureau? Open your heart, open your wallet! Please donate new toys, new clothing, non-perishable food stuffs or money (cheques to the local bureau or Goderich Children’s Aid Society office). Do keep in mind the teenagers. Deliver your gifts to your local church bureau or to the drop boxes between Dec. 5 and 9 so they are ready for the families’ Christmas shopping the next week. Perhaps you would like to give the gift of time to the church group in your community; or you could consider organizing your neighbours … your workmates … your sports team … your club … your school chums. Working together as ‘Santa groups’ increases the pleasure of giving. This is a very important year for all of us. Our community’s needs are great. The rewards are also great – the opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas by sharing the joy of the season. A gift to a child is a gift to yourself. The 2011 Bureaus/Gift Centres are: Clinton, Christian Reformed Church, 243 Princess Street; Exeter, Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle, 70670 London Road; Goderich, Knox Presbyterian Church, 9 Victoria Street; Seaforth, The Agriplex (hosted by St. James Roman Catholic Church) and Wingham, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 281 Josephine Street. Gail Grant, PR Chair, Central Committee, Christmas Bureau. Christmas Bureau reopens Marshall expresses importance of alarms Well done The Blyth Legion was awarded earlier this month with top honours in the District Scrapbook contest. Public Relations Officer Mary Lou Stewart and President Andy Lubbers accepted the award on behalf of the entire Blyth Legion membership. (Photo submitted) COMMEMORATE THE NEWEST FAMILY MEMBER'S 1ST NEW YEAR Join the gallery of faces in The Citizen's baby photo display January 5, 2012 Send or bring a picture of your little one born in 2011 along with a writeup which includes full name, birth date and parents' names, to be featured in The Citizen's Gallery of Faces on January 5, 2012, for only $20.00 (HST included). Please send picture (with name on back), along with a cheque, to The Citizen prior to December 16. Photos may be picked up after January 5. THIS MUST BE PRE-PAID. - Sample - Please Complete Baby's Full Name______________________ Son ❑Daughter ❑ Birth Date_____________________________ Parents' Names________________________ $20.00 Enclosed DEADLINE - December 16 2 pm in Brussels • 4 pm in Blyth ❑ Alex John Smith May 18 son of Mike & Laura Smith B a b i e s o f t h e Y ear 2011 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6:30 am - 7 pm, Sat. 8 am - 7 pm, Sun. 11 am - 5 pm WALTON 519-887-8429 Orders taken for Hayter’s Turkeys until Friday, December 9th DON’T FORGET! Save the Tax Workwear Sale continues until November 30th Letters to the Editor BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED