Times-Advocate, 1999-04-14, Page 30Wednesday, April 14, 1999
Exeter Times -Advocate
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SafetyTipsToTake
Before A Storm Hits
Don't underestimate the damage that can be done
by a thunderstorm. Before lightning strikes, be pre-
pared. Some simple preparations can protect your
home and family.
• Have a reliable light source in 'case of a
power outage. A rechargeable flashlight, which
automatically turns itself on when the power fails, is
a good idea. Just plug it into an outlet in a conve-
nient
onvenient location, such as the kitchen, and keep it
there. The indicator light lets you know it's charg-
ing, and because it is continuously charged, there's
no need to worry that the batteries will be dead just
when you need a flashlight the most. It's also easy to
find when the lights go out.
• Be aware of lightning conductors in your
home. Water, some metal plumbing pipes, televi-
sions, telephones, fireplaces and radiators are some
conductors lightning can travel through. During a
storm, don't do the dishes, talk on the phone or sit
in a room with a chimney.
• Don't unplug appliances during a storm. A
powerful bolt can travel through a socket and jump
out at you. Do unplug anything near a bathtub or
sink, such as a hair dryer or radio.
• Answering machines, feature phones, fax
machines and computer modems can be ruined by a
strong surge during a storm. Disconnect phones
during a storm or install an automatic surge -protec-
tion system.
• During an electrical storm, do not go out-
side, and avoid being exposed on a high place. Stay
away from isolated shelters or trees because they
are easy targets for lightning.
• Don't use flammable items such as gasoline.
• Remove metal leashes or collars from pets
and don't leave them on a chain during a storm. If
possible, bring pets inside during a storm. If not, use
a rope or another non-conductive material to
restrain your pet.
• Being the victim of previous lightning dam-
age won't protect you. Lightning can strike the same
place twice. The Empire State Building in New York
City has been stuck as many as 48 times a year.
Celebrate Earth Day - it's o
Recycling saves 1.5 million trees every year in
rio alone. We could save 80 million trees if all
adians used paper products with recycled content.
Per person. Canadians use more energy than any
other people in the world.
Each Canadian uses about 260 litres (57 gallons) of
water every day. Seventy-five percent of the water
used in Canada is not subject to any water conserva-
tion practices.
About 75 percent of ozone-depleting emissions
come from automobile exhaust. Ten
percent of Canadian cars are
"super -polluters," responsible for
about 60 percent of car -caused air
pollution.
Toxic wastes are not just an
industrial problem. Household
cleaning products and chemical pes-
ticides from home gardens, classi-
fied as corrosive, flammable, reac-
tive or toxic, end up in our drinking
water.
What Can 1 Do?
This question is asked by individuals, families,
school classes, employee and community groups, ser-
vice organizations, government agencies and munici-
palities. Within their own spheres of influence, each of
them has the ability to create positive environmental
savings.
Earth Day Canada has created and implemented
programs that can be put into action by people in all
walks of life. Supported by fundraising efforts, private -
sector sponsorship and foundation grants, these pro-
grammes operate year-round to provide networking
and resource assistance to participants.
Earth Day Community Action Network
The creation of community-based environmental
projects and Earth Day events requires a clean envi-
ronmental goal, effective organization, focused out-
reach, sufficient funding and resources, dedicated sup-
porters and a strong commitment to stewardship.
The Earth Day Community Action Network (Earth
Day CAN) provides step-by-step project assistance and
year-round networking for schools (Schools CAN),
natural
community-based organizations (Communities CAN)
and employee -based groups (Employees CAN). In addi-
tion to detailed activities like community cleanups and
site rehabilitation, the CAN programme outlines and
facilitates organizational activities, including volunteer
recruitment, event staging, fundraising and promotion.
Canadian Natural Highway
A community-based action to restore native species
in our neighbourhoods, Canadian Natural Highway
(CNH) is a 10 -year partnership pro-
gram developed by E.arth Day
Canada. Since its first season of
planting activities (spring 1994), CNH
partners across the country have
planted 1,141,587 native trees and
shrubs, plus many acres of wildflow-
ers and native grasses, in projects
ranging from large riparian restora-
tion to school yard naturalization.
The Canadian Natural
Highway continues to grow in com-
munities across Canada, providing a year-round net-
work to assist with all aspects of community planting.
EcoKids
Earth Day Canada's club -based program for chil-
dren ages 7-12, EcoKids, focuses on hands-on solu-
tions and community action. There are 550 EcoKids
clubs (nearly 16,000 members) which receive seasonal
projects that include identifying and understanding
local environmental challenges, creating a solution and
becoming 'Hometown Heroes" by putting solutions tc
work in their communities. EcoKids clubs expanded to
1,000 clubs in 1996.
EcoKids News keeps EcoKids in touch with each
other, and clubs also receive a subscription to POP'
(Protecting Our Planet) Newspaper, with their own
EcoKids page, to keep them in touch with environmen-
tal youth initiative across Canada. Membership also
includes special rates at theatres, museums and
nature attractions.
For further information, contact Earth Day
Canada,144 Front Street West, Suite 250, Toronto,
Ontario M5J 2L7, 1-416-599-1991.
•
.ids 14th Annual
Home -Garden -Craft
& Leisure Show
Saturday, April 17 ..�
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 18
Noon - 5 p.m.
South Huron Rec Centre, Exeter
Exeter & District
Chamber of Commerce
Normo of the tirhih' So:1.1 r, -
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Admission Ticket: $3,00. Weekend pass: $5.00
Children 12 and under: Free when accompanied by an Adult
Presented by the Exeter Optimist Club, South Huron Rec Centre.
Sponsored by the Exeter and District Chamber of Commerce
For information phone: (519) 235-2833
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