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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-06-09, Page 17Wednesday, June 9, 2004 Exeter Times–Advocate 17 Health unit performs child car seat safety check By Mary Simmons TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Only 10 per cent of vehicles checked for the correct use of child car seats at a safety checkpoint June 5 passed the test. Staff from the Huron County Health Unit were at Exeter Toyota holding a child car seat safety check. Parents were shown how to properly restrain their children in car seats and booster seats. Public health nurse Josee Cayer said 90 per cent of people were using car seats and booster seats incorrectly and two people were actually told to dispose of their car seats and obtain new ones. Cayer said there was a lot of positive feedback from parents who partici- pated in the program, adding one parent told her it should be mandato- ry for all new parents to find out the information from the session. Any parents not able to attend the safety check can contact the health unit to find out when and where the next session will be held. They can also contact their public health nurse for informa- tion. Cayer said one of the most prevailing problems with rear -facing car seats is they are not in the proper reclining position for the comfort of the child. This can be fixed by placing pool noodles underneath the seat to prop the seat up. She added Canadian Tire generously donated approximately 20 pool noodles to be used for this purpose and by the end of the day they were all gone. Infants under 10 kg (22 Ib) should be placed in a rear -facing car seat. Once children reach this weight, car seats should be turned to face forward and a tether strap is used. This type of car seat can be used until the child weighs 18 kg (40 lb) or reaches a height of 101 cm (40 inches). When children outgrow the height limit of the car seat, they should come out of it regardless of their weight. If they are not yet 18 kg (40 lb) a child/booster combination seat should be used. It combines a forward -fac- ing car seat and a high back booster. Once the child reaches the correct weight, it can be convert- ed into a booster seat. Cayer said many chil- dren come out of booster seats too early. They are for children over 18 kg (40 lb) and under 1.45 metres (4'9") in height. Cayer said children must be able to sit back against the vehicle seat with their knees bent comfortably over the seat edge, the shoulder belt centered on the child's chest and the lap belt sit- ting on the upper thighs before they should travel in a vehicle without a booster seat. For more information contact the Huron County Health Unit at 482-3416 or toll free at 1-877-837- 6143. Nadine Haines is safely placed in her car seat by her mom, Denise, and Deb Hakkers at the Huron County Health Unit's child car seat safety check at Exeter Toyota June 5. (photo/Mary Simmons) Purpose -driven campaign winds down By Mary Simmons TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — After spending more than a month embarking on the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign at the Exeter Pentecostal Church, participants ended the journey with a picnic and fellowship June 6. Based on the book of the same name, the campaign focused on the five pur- poses of worship, fellowship, disciple- ship. ministry and evangelism. Pastor Vernon Dean said approxi- mately 160 people took part in the pro- gram, with only half of that number being members of the congregation. Kathy Ruby, a church member, said she initially became involved through the encouragement of the pastor, but found it gave her an opportunity to take part in fellowship and deepen relation- ships with with others who participated. "I got to know others on a more inti- mate level," she said. "It was very rewarding." Ruby said she discovered God has a plan for everybody and in the process of reading the book and joining the group studies, she also deepened her relation- ship with God. "It showed me areas in my heart and in my life where I needed to grow," she said. Bert Visscher, who led one of the small groups with his wife Tina, said he took the opportunity to let his neighbours know about the program and ask them to become involved. "I felt a burden for all my neighbours," he said. "I don't want to see any of them go to hell." Tina said she came out of the cam- paign with the insight, "it's not all about me. Everything we do here is prepara- tion for eternity." Participants committed to reading a chapter of the book every day and dis- cussing it once a week in small groups. Twenty-one small groups were formed. Children in the community were also involved in the program. Sunday school children aged four to 12 had the same curriculum, which was adapted for them. The church youth group also had bible studies on the topic. Dean said the campaign may be run again in the fall and some of the 21 small groups who met over the past six weeks to discuss the book and watch videos have decided to continue to meet throughout the summer "It was a way to reach out to the com- munity," he said. "It's been a great experience." POLICE BRIEFS Generator stolen from fishing boat BLUEWATER — On June 2 at 3:30 p.m. the owner of a fishing boat reported a theft. Sometime in the last two weeks a person entered a fishing boat in the Bayfield Harbour and stole a red 3500 Honda generator. If you can help solve this case call the OPP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 222-8477 (TIPS). Youth charged with uttering threats EXETER — On June 2 at 12:15 p.m. OPP were called to South Huron District High School in Exeter on Gidley Street over an altercation between two youths. An officer went to the school office and was told two boys had ran into the office after an altercation on the street. The officer was told the two youths didn't get along with each other and one is alleged to have assaulted the other on the street, resulting in a foot chase leading to the school's office. While in the office one of the youths allegedly made several threats of death and phys- ical harm to the other. As a result, a 16 -year- old male was charged with uttering threats of physical harm. The inves- tigation into the assault on the street continues. If you have information about this incident call the Exeter OPP office or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477 (TIPS). Ezekial McCarthy clutches a water balloon with the hopes it won't break at the wrap-up party for the purpose -driven campaign at Exeter Pentecostal Church June 6. (photo/Mary Simmons)