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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2008-09-25, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008.Ever since electricity was firstintroduced in Canadian households,there has been an uneasy balancebetween homeowners whoappreciate the conveniences itprovides but understand that it comes with some risks. Electricity can be a potent – and underestimated – fire source. According to the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal report,Fire Losses in Ontario 2002-2006, Causes, Trends and Issues, in 2002 electrical distribution equipment was identified as the cause of 636 residential structure fires during that time period, resulting in 49 injuries and two deaths. By 2006, those numbers were 501 residential structure fires during that time period, resulting in 28 injuries and five deaths. In that same report electrical appliances were identified as the cause of 344 residential structure fires during that time period, resulting in 20 injuries and no deaths. By 2006, those numbers had fallen to 309 residential structure fires during that time period, resulting in 16 injuries with no deaths. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increase in lighting, heating, and appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom and result from problems with “fixed wiring” such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords and plugs, such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home electrical fires. According to the United StatesFire Administration, in urban areas,faulty wiring accounts for 33 percent of residential electrical fires.Many avoidable electrical fires canbe traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas. The home appliances most often involved in electrical fires are electric stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating units, televisions and audio equipment. Since 2003, CSA Group has tracked various benchmarks though its Key Performance Indicators (KPI). In 1994, about 8,100 residential electrical fires were recorded in Canada. By 2001, that number had dropped to about 7,800. The introduction and revisions of several CSA standards during that time period have helped to speed this decrease. Safety tips for avoiding electrical fires: • Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring; • Protect all circuits with a fuse or circuit breaker; • Don’t overload circuits or bypass the circuit protection; • Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately; • Use electrical extension cords wisely and don’t overload them; • Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen; • When buying electrical appliances, look for products that bear the Canadian StandardsAssociation (CSA) mark;• Don’t allow children to play withor around electrical appliances likespace heaters, irons and hairdryers; • If an appliance has a three-prong (grounded) plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord;• Never overload extension cordsor wall sockets;• Immediately shut off, thenprofessionally replace, lightswitches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker; • Use safety closures to child- proof electrical outlets; Safety tips for dealing with electrical fires:• Never throw water on anelectrical fire (water conductselectricity);• If an appliance catches fire,unplug the appliance if possible to do so safely; • To put out the fire, use a multi- purpose fire extinguisher or throw on baking soda. JOSEPH SEMPLE Joseph Brydone Semple of RR1, Ethel, passed away peacefully at Listowel Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. Born in Milverton on Oct. 6, 1928, Joseph was in his 80th year. Joseph will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of 56 years, Kathleen and his children Calvin and Gail Semple of RR1, Ethel, Janice White and friend Lawrence Pinkney of Mississauga, Robina Semple of Stratford and Kevin and Marie Semple of Listowel. Joseph was the dear grandfather of Crystal McCallum and husband Chad, Jodi and Rob Semple, Jason and Jeremy White and Brydone and Matt Semple and great-grandfather to Kaleigh. He was the dear brother of Murray and Marie Semple of St. Thomas and John and Beryl Semple of Atwood. Joseph was the dear brother-in-law of Evelyn Coxon of Milverton and Calvin and Marion Hoffman of New Hamburg. He is also loved by his many nieces and nephews. His brother-in-law Lloyd Coxon predeceased him. Friends were received by the family from 2- 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Wednesday from the Schimanski Family Funeral Home, Brussels. The funeral service was conducted from Melville Presbyterian Church, Brussels on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. officiated by Rev. Cathrine Campbell. A remembrance of Joe’s life was given by his friend Paul Steckle MP (Liberal, Huron-Bruce). Interment was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Ethel. Carrying floral tributes were Joe’s grand- daughters Crystal McCallum and Jodi Semple. Pallbearers were grandsons Rob Semple, Jason White, Jeremy White, Brydone Semple, Matt Semple and Chad McCallum. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Melville Presbyterian Church, the Canadian Diabetes Association or the charity of one’s choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.schimanskifamilyfuneralhome.com Obituaries Reducing the risk of electrical fires Business Directory D & J CONSTRUCTION Jim McDonald 519-887-9607 - COMPLETE MECHANICAL SERVICE - COMPUTERIZED TUNE-UPS - TIRES - BRAKES MUFFLERS - VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION DAN'S AUTO REPAIR Owned and Operated by Dan & Heather Snell RR 3, Blyth, Ont. N0M 1H0 (on the Westfield Rd.) DAN SNELL, Automotive Technician 519-523-4356 COVERING ALL YOUR CARPENTRY NEEDS CASEY BOVEN Blyth 519-523-4757 • New Homes • Replacement Windows & Doors • Renovations • Soffit & Fascia • Decks • Additions • Trim • Hardwood Flooring ELLIOTT NIXON INSURANCE BROKERS INC. BLYTH, ON N0M 1H0 519-523-4481 MEMBER OF HURON INSURANCE MANAGERS GROUP 4 Generations Since 1910 R. John Elliott Res. 519-523-4323 J. Richard Elliott Res. 519-523-9725 Randy Nixon Res. 519-523-4989 McKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY 91 Main St., South, Seaforth Office 519-527-0400 1-800-463-9204 FARM, HOME, COMMERCIAL AUTO COVERAGES AGENTS Graeme Craig 519-887-9381 Shannon Craig 519-348-4237 Donald Taylor 519-482-9976 Banter, Mac Ewan & Feagan Insurance Brokers Ltd. 519-524-8376 Gaiser Kneale Insurance 519-482-3401 Thames Ins. Brokers 519-235-2211 Cockwell Insurance 519-356-2216 G.L. Barclay Insurance 519-238-6790 Julie Campbell, CIP 519-527-2798 Lynda Vincent 519-527-2204 Dan McNaughton 519-262-3426 VANDRIEL Excavating Inc. Simon VanDriel 519-482-3783 We Dig For You Call us for... Excavators, Bobcats, Dozers, Trucking, etc. COMPLETE EXCAVATING CONTRACTOR Derrick VanDriel 519-522-0609 • Gravel • Sand • Stone JAMES BROWN PHARMACY 198 Josephine St., Wingham, Ont. 519-357-1629 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 6 Sat. 9 - 4 Rear Parking Available Delivery available Need a good book? We’ve got lots! Drop by either of our offices and see our selection The Citizen 404 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 Residential & Commercial Moving Property Maintenance • Deliveries 519-357-3387 • 519-881-7770 VVVVeeee rrrr nnnn ’’’’ssss SSSS eeee rrrr vvvv iiii cccc eeee ssss Vern’s Services LEE'S SERVICE CENTRE Repairs to all makes & models of cars & trucks Air Conditioning • Car Oiling • Snow Removal 348 Dinsley St., Blyth, Ontario CHRIS LEE: Phone: Bus. 519-523-9151 Mon.- Fri.8 am - 5:30 pm; Sat.8 am - 12 noon North St. West, Wingham Mac & Donna Anderson 519-357-1910 A cemetery is a history of people, a perpetual record of yesterday and a sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always Distinctive Memorials of Lasting Satisfaction BOX 158 WINGHAM ONT NOG 2W0