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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1990-11-07, Page 15OMA publishes booldet on recognizing abused •children The Ontario Mexite' al Association has .published a series of guidelines aimed at suppeeting physicians in recognizing and - assessing the sexually -abused child,. The guidelines are contained in a book- let enticed "Recognition and As- sessment of the Sexually -Abused Child", which provides background on child abuse, details on the physical exam„ documentation procedures, approaches to theraapy and, a de anption Of the physician's role as itrelaates to other health - "The booklet is designedtoen- hence physicians ".understanding o the nature . of childhood sexual. abuse," said author Pr. Ken Finkel, who is a member of. the OMA's Committee on Child; Welfare, professor emeritus in the department of paediatrics at Handl- ton's McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences, and director of the Suspected Child Abuse " and Neglect (SCAN) Program at Chedoke-McMaster Hospitals . in Hamilton. ° nfortunately. child abuse is far from a rare event, and choses are likely that a practicing physician will at some time be asked to assess a child who may be a sexual -abuse victen, explained Lr. Finkel. Since the firstg of the 014A booklet in 1,983, a great deal of progress has been made an developing clinical, sociological and. judicial approaches to the sexual abuse of children. 'Revisions to these guidelines reflect an expanded understanding of the long-temn consequences of being an abuse victim, the nature of children's accounts of their vict mutation and of the subtle physical signs of abuse; said Dr. Finkel, • The updated guidelines. which axe being distributed to general prac- titioners, pediatricians, hospital based child -abuse teams, children's aid societies and faculties of medicine, help support the Child Welfare Committee's `continuing prvgrdm to promote the health and well-being of infants and, children; Consumer `tip ,Irkspept your heating sys4em- Old faithful the furnace Grandpa had installed sometime after the war ended -.. may not keep ,your family safe and warm this winter without some tender loving care, say experts at Ontario's, Ministry or Consumer and Commercial Relations, "Making sure your heating system is fully inspected every year is vital for home safety," says Bob Clendining, director of the ministry's► Fuels - Safety Branch. Grandpa's old coal -changed -to -oil converted -to -gas model is an. extreme example of a system that needs care. However, consumers should remember that the dangers of fire and - carbon monoxide poisoning exist with any type of fuelburningheating systems. Natural gas or oil furnaces, propane heaters, wood toves and fireplaces -- none is imnuhe to•p +oblems that can'have life- neatening consequences if they aren't cared for properly. - Furnaces fueled by oil or natural gas generate the heat that keeps most Ontario homes warm on cold winter nights. Heat is produced by combining fuel with the oxygen in the air, then igniting it in a furnace's combustion chamber. "Combustion 'always produces a small amount of carbon monoxide," explains Clendining, 'It's a colorless, odorless gas that causes headaches, nausea and even death if allowed to collect in the house." Making, sure the furnace is working properly -- that enough air is available in the system to make the flame burn "cleanly" -- lets the small amount of carbon monoxide produced to simply rise up and away through 'the chimney. However, if the air supply is not adequate increasing amounts of carbon monoxide will result, Combined with a partially blocked chimney, the results could be disaster. "I can't encourage people enough to help protect their families by ensuring their heatmg system is in good order. Have it checked out by a qualified contractor, who is registered with 'tie Fuels Safety Branch,". says Clendining. Because lives are at stake, it ' is especially . important for do-it-yourselfers to recognize their limitations. Unqualified persons should never tamper with a heating system.' The branch also advises householders concerned about the safety of their systems to deal only with reputable heating contractors. "Ask your friends or fuel supplier for the name of a good contractor," Clendining Says. "Avoid fly-by-night operators who may arrive at the door offering 'special deals'." When repairs. are required find out if the costs are. covered by a warranty or maintenance plan. If not, the branch advises consumers to get three written estimates before signing on the dotted line. These should outline the work to be done and who will do it, as well as starting and completion dates. • In addition to having a yearly inspection of the furnace and chimney made, householders can help make sure their heating system continues to keep the chill out. • * If you have a•forced-air•system, change furnace filters at least twice a heating season. * Make sure warm -air outlets and cold -air returns aren't covered by carpets or blocked by furniture or debris. * Examine all systems from time to tune for signs of corrosion, leakage or water stains. . * Keep bleaches, paints, paint strippers, varnishes and water softeners away from your furnace. * Make sure the heating system's air supply isn't blocked by walls or any other obstructions when you renovate. * Keep the area around the furnace free from dust; lint, rags, paint, drain cleaners and any other materials or chemicals that could catchfire or explode if they becametoo hot. Consumers interested in learning more about home heating safety can reserve a copy of a new ministry brochure by that title. To receive a free copy or information about contracts, home renovations and many other consumer issues, contact MCCR's Consumer Information Centre at 555 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2H6. Tel. (416) 326-8555 or toll free 1-800-268-1142. Ontario residents with an (807) area code may call the (416) line collect. The TDD line for the hearing impaired is (416) 326-8566. - Lateltilow Sentinel, Wednesday, l eve*arber 7,1 — lige 13 A step n tim— Chin joy of our boyhood we gladly relate. Which like many others has gone out of date. Mid Gaelic and tartan and skirling pipe -band. The field had been chosen; a chieftain, was there McCri nmon who summoned the clans with due care; Across the south border, from all the States, far , To Lucknow • they hastened as •called' to a war. The Gaels in Toronto were many and true, We knew down in ilamilton what. they would do. The dancers and pipers -- all brow .Highton' men And lion -like giants, just fresh from their den. They came up from Zc rra,, from Lobo. and Galt The folks from Glen Sig wereloo eager to. halt. For clansmen are cousins. with hearts all aflame, So Lucknow went merry, with little to blame. The only occasion where rivals were found, Were Hurons and Bruce, on the old battleground,- . What crowdsthey Would 'gather; the pride they would show And in the big .tug -of --war each a (reprinted from July 1920 Saltine') stout foe. The tournament opened in just such a spot, bAs many y old champions oft chose A clot campus like velvet, spread amply to right. And then a great hillock, giving all a good sight, Hurrah, Donald Dinnle,, in bonnet and kilt, Whose gigantic stature made rivals. quite wilt! Like fleeces of wool he tossed mighty stones . _ When Ross stripped to wrestle we pitied his bones. Thep E.W, Johnston. as straight as a mast; He could huri the big hammer and run very fest. Bho ju, s and dances, the pick of Was a young' chap from Brussels,. our own Archie. Scott; - We cheered and we wondered. at their glorious feats; . The; crowd was impartial, each hem it greets; And gallant young highlanders danced all the while, To see than 'twag., worth going many's the Mile. • The 'last was the ;struggle twiner Huron and Bruce, Fosides had been ;chosen, all sons of Great his. The pick of the sailors Southampton had sant. The mightly bartebuilders from Ashfield all went. At the creek of the pistol, the rope stretched a yard, The anchormen stiffened as iron is hard. And silence was painful save beating of hearts So eager to note where the vantage first starts. The longstrain of muscles neer yielded to ache, Each man lay as f irm as if burred toastupe. For nothing was .gained though minutes were long, But what the hemp lenagtheened cn. whistling song. Alas, the barn -builders yanked hard at he rope, Then suddenly slipped as if stan- ding on soap, '• But all the bronzed Macs, though proud of the prize, Gave honors to Huron, with bonnets and. cries. The even was :spent in bouquet and sang. Aa .feast • not forgotten in all the years. lon Thn.s Lucknow ,:as far-famed and grated was, to chief,. Though now- only history - :tlhat's still Muir ;grief, Renew Your Sentinel Subscription .F Before december 31, 1990 And Save The 70/oGST. Before December 31, 1990 , Regular Subs . $17.:00 0 After December 31, 1990 $18,19 $54,,9.8