HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-07-07, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 1999.
Understanding health reasons for beach closures
“Warning ... Bathing Hazardous,
polluted waters. Swim or bathe at
your own risk. - Huron County
Health Unit”
“Warning ... Following
rainstorms, the water at this beach
may be temporarily polluted for up
to three days. Bathers are advised
to take suitable precautions if
choosing to swim. (Don’t submerge
and don’t drink the water). -
Huron County Health Unit.”
These are warnings on signs
Recognizing signs
There are five warning signs of
stroke. Do you think you can name
them?
If you can, you are doing better
than the average Canadian. In a
recent study conducted by the
Heart and Stroke Foundation of
Canada fewer than 40 per cent of
people surveyed could name even
one symptom.
Strokes, which are caused when
arteries to the brain either rupture
or become clogged, require
immediate medical attention. In
some cases, however, stroke
victims may be unable to
communicate. In cases like this, a
MedicAlert bracelet will speak for
them, informing emergency
medical personnel of any existing
OPP encourage
safe, sober holiday
The OPP is issuing a reminder
that drinking and driving a vehicle
or vessel do not mix!
An alarming increase in the
percentage of alcohol related
highway fatalities recently has the
OPP concerned that too many
drivers have forgotten that these
activities do not belong together.
With a host of different summer
activities to choose from police
remind everyone to plan ahead. If
attending an activity where alcohol
is going to be served, know how
you are going to get home safely
before leaving the house.
As a host, act responsibly to
ensure guests do get home safely.
Expect to see increased
enforcement in response to this
apparent rise in alcohol-related
fatalities. The OPP wants to ensure
that drivers on the road are sober
drivers. Impaired driving is a
which you may see posted on one
of the public access beaches in
Huron County.
For people who enjoy the
pleasure and health benefits of
swimming in natural water the
posting of a sign on the beach with
those words can be frustrating.
Public health inspectors post a
beach after collecting water
samples every week and sending
them for analysis to laboratories
conditions, such as a previous
history of stroke or warning them
about specific drug allergies.
President of the Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Canada, Audrey
Vandewater said, “Fast and
accurate treatment of a heart or
brain attack (stroke) is one of the
most important weapons we have
in the fight to reduce disability and
death caused by heart disease and
stroke. MedicAlert helps to ensure
Canadians get that treatment.”
The Canadian MedicAlert
Foundation, established in 1961, is
a national registered charity that
protects more than 500,000 Ontario
residents. Only MedicAlert’s
bracelets and necklets are custom
engraved with a persons medical
criminal offence with strong
sanctions including an immediate
90 day license suspension for those '
drivers found to be above the legal
limit.
Impaired driving is an offence
not taken lightly by the OPP.
“We see the tragic outcomes of
drinking/driving on a regular basis.
We know all too well that drinking
and driving needlessly puts
everyone at risk. This behaviour
victimizes families, friends and all
those who enjoy Ontario’s roads
and waterways,” said Sr. Const.
Don Shropshall.
“Remember that drinking and
vehicle/vessel operation simply
don’t mix - there really is no safe
limit.” Don’t ruin your summer -
plan ahead - drive sober!
Remember to also wear your seat
belt - your number one defence in
any collision.”
that examine the water for E. coli
bacteria. High levels of E. coli in
water indicate contamination by
human or animal waste.
The Huron County Health Unit
monitors and samples the water
quality of 19 Lake Huron public
access beaches and 15 inland river
recreational swimming areas.
As of June 12, Huron County
residents can find out which
beaches have been posted. The
“Beach Water Quality Hotline” wilt
of stroke
information, member ID and
emergency hotline accessible 24
hours a day from anywhere in the
world, in 140 languages.
In addition to heart disease and
stroke, MedicAlert services also
benefit Canadians living with
asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, as well
as those with food and drug
allergies. The five warning signs of
a stroke are:
• a sudden weakness or numbness
along one side of the body, in the
face, arm or leg
• difficulty speaking or
understanding what people are
saying
• trouble seeing, including a
dimness in one eye or double
vision that lasts for a short period
of time
• a sudden and unusually severe
headache
• dizziness or sudden falls.
For more information or to
become a member of MedicAlert,
call toll-free (Monday to Friday, 8
a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST) 1-800-668-
1507, or visit MedicAlert’s web
site at www.medicalert.ca
WE'RE READY TO FULFILL YOUR
HARVEST REQUIREMENTS
AT OUR LONDESBORO LOCATION
"Hensall District Co-op is proud to be farmer-owned"
523-4470 Londesboro Co-op
ENSALL
ISTRICT
O-OPERATIVE
be accessible 24 hours per day,
seven days a week by calling 482-
3416 and asking for the Beach
Water Quality Hotline or pressing
*501 (star - 5 - 0 - 1) on a touch
tone phone dial pad.
The hotline will provide a list of
beaches that have been
permanently posted with signs
indicating temporary pollution with
elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.
E. coli bacteria are generally found
in animal and human wastes and
are used as an indicator for water
quality of recreational bathing
areas. E. coli bacteria may cause
illness if precautions are not taken.
After a heavy rainfall or
extensive wave action, historically
E. coli levels are elevated for up to
three days at those beaches posted
and listed on the Hotline. The
Hotline also indicates when the last
rainfall was noted.
Health Risks
• Health risks from swimming in
contaminated waters range from
stomach aches, diarrhea and
vomiting, to infections of the skin,
ears and eyes. The risk is high if
swimmers accidentally swallow
water or completely dunk their
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YARD SALE
Saturday, July 10
7 a.m. - noon
Don't be disappointed - get there early
Auburn Co-op Belgrave Co-op
526-7262 357-2711
HENSALL DISTRICT
CO-OPERATIVE OFFERS
THE FOLLOWING SERVICES
AT LONDESBORO
• New truck dumper, we can
now handle all types of
trailers
• 20,000 Bu/Hr. receiving capacity
including 2 new high speed pits
• We have trailers available for you
to get your crops into the elevator
heads, behaviours more common in
young children.
Causes of Contamination
• In rural areas, poor
management of manure application
on farmland and faulty septic
systems are two of the main
culprits responsible for polluting
beach water with fecal matter.
• Untreated or partially treated
sewage from municipal treatment
plants can end up in natural waters
during periods of heavy rains when
the capacity of the plant is
exceeded. This raises the bacterial
count to a level that makes waters
unsafe for swimming.
If you’re interested in ensuring
future generations can enjoy
swimming in a natural
environment, remember that
fertilizers and animal excrement
can find their way into the storm
sewers. Use fertilizers sparingly.
Pet owners should stoop and scoop.
Rural property owners can help by
keeping fences in good repair to
prevent livestock from roaming
freely in creeks and rivers. Develop
and adhere to a nutrient
management plan. Septic systems
should be well maintained.
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