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The Citizen, 2009-10-01, Page 6THE EDITOR,If you had a fire in yourhouse, would your familyknow how to escape safely? When smoke alarms go off, there is no time to lose. Everyone must know what to do and where to go. Yet alarmingly, few Ontario families have a fire escape plan for their home. Starting during Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4 - 10 and continuing all month,teachers and firefightersacross Ontario – with helpfrom Sparky the Fire Dog – will show kids how to create and practise an escape plan at home. It’s part of the national Great Canadian Fire Drill program … the largest fire safety campaign we’ve ever done. To help prepare your family’s escape plan, we’vedeveloped a simple planninggrid you can download FREEat www.safeathome.ca/drill. Also take time to check all smoke alarms in your home to ensure you have one on every level and that they are not outdated. If they are over 10 years old, replace them immediately. Please do the drill and count yourself in. Working togetherwe can reduce fire tragediesin all Ontario communities.Patrick Burke, Ontario FireMarshal, Chair, OntarioFire Marshal’s Fire Safety Council, Fire Chief TimBeckett, Ontario Rep,Canadian Association ofFire Chiefs.PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009.Letter to the editorGetting your fire escape plan in place A tree-planting ceremony in Seaforth on Sunday will honour one of Huron County’s greatest 4-H supporters. Florence Pullen of the Huron County 4-H Club was awarded the Syngenta 4-H Ontario Arbor Award in February in Waterloo, but on Sunday, Oct. 4, a tree will be planted in her name before a 4-H fundraising barbecue in Seaforth. Pullen was one of six recipients of the award and she was nominated by three different nominators. One of the nominations stated “Pullen has been a 4-H leader and volunteer so long that no one seems to know exactly how long. ‘She has just always been here,’ was voiced by many of the people that were spoken to in preparation for this nomination,” the nomination said. “Twenty-nine years is the exact number. She is a recognizable figure at 4-H events and on the Huron County 4-H Leaders Association. The Huron County Judging Competition has thrived because of her organizational skills and leadership. Many Go For The Gold teams have done well at the local, regional and provincial competitions because of her coaching and promotion of the event. Her sheep clubs continue to grow every year with more new members. Children of former members are now enjoying 4-H under her tutelage.” Pullen’s tree-planting ceremony will be held at the Seaforth Agriplex at 4 p.m. The barbecue is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Barbecued chicken with all the fixings is on the menu. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children aged five to 10. They are still available and can be purchased by calling Lorri Anne Moore at 519-527- 2817, Darrell Bergsma at 519-523-4364 or Kim Higgins at 519-887-6102. Huron 4-H honours long-time volunteer FLORENCE PULLEN A volunteer honoured Continued from pgae 1 Native reserves) and those involved in the health care profession. However, if the vaccine arrives in November, the regulations will not be so strict, because there will be more on the way, as opposed to a preliminary supply with no immediate follow-up. “A pandemic tends to target a different group,” Taylor says. “The risk seems to be lower among those born before 1957. Maybe there was a similar strain circulating back then, but we’re not sure.” The lower risk, however, doesn’t mean no shot should be administered, Taylor says, it just means the 65 and up demographic isn’t the priority in the H1N1 case. In October, however, when the seasonal flu vaccine comes to Huron County once again, it will be seniors over the age of 65 who will be the priority. Taylor says that while the root cause has yet to be determined, those born before 1957 seem to run less of a risk of contracting the H1N1 virus. However, the seasonal influenza virus still kills between 4,000 and 8,000 people a year, many of whom fall into the high risk category that seniors do. “The seasonal flu shot doesn’t provide 100 per cent protection against influenza,” Taylor says. “It decreases the likelihood of severe symptoms and potential death.” Seasonal flu shot clinics have already been scheduled throughout Huron County in October for seniors aged 65 and up. While the seasonal flu shot has its naysayers, Taylor says that both shots have their benefits and can help to alleviate some very real health concerns. “There has been surveillance on the H1N1 virus and it has made its way to British Columbia and it’s moving north in the United States, so it’s only a matter of time,” she says. “Flu shots, however, like any vaccine, are a choice. We’re just asking the people of Huron County to be informed and to make an informed decision.” Taylor says that over the years information in favour of the seasonal flu shot can be confusing, and the case to be made against the shot can be easier to understand, but many times be unfounded. However, with the H1N1 virus, there have been bigger health concerns and she is hoping that once the high priority campaign is through and the shot is available to everyone that they will take advantage of being in Ontario, which has a universal vaccine program, where every resident is eligible for vaccines. The first seasonal flu clinics for those 65 and over will be held on Oct. 19 at the Wingham Legion from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Oct. 27 at Grey Central Public School from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and at the Clinton Legion on Oct. 29 from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Information on the H1N1 vaccine will be released when the vaccine becomes available in Huron County. Taylor lastly said that public health measures should still be the top priority, which means washing your hands thoroughly, coughing or sneezing into your arm or sleeve, staying home if you’re sick, talking to a health-care professional if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and to call ahead to ensure infection control measures have been taken to avoid infection among health- care workers and other patients. The products save, and so do you. OM Official mark of the Ontario Power Authority. Coin image ©2009 Royal Canadian Mint – All Rights Reserved. The Power Savings Event is back. Save on ENERGY STAR® qualified lighting that saves. Thermostats that save. Weatherstripping that saves and more. Pick up your coupons at participating stores today! Valid through November 1, 2009. For details visit everykilowattcounts.ca Different group at risk THE EDITOR, Regarding the Sept. 15 story “Inter-council meetings split Morris-Turnberry councillors” I was sincerely disappointed and disturbed to learn that two councillors had self-appointed themselves to negotiate serious business matters with North-Huron council. Whenever before has municipal business fallen to this level? I fully support Mayor Dorothy Kelly and the remaining council members. Yours truly, George Underwood Letter Actions disturb reader