Loading...
The Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-04-01, Page 1010 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Avoid Flooding Ahead of Spring Temperatures Ontario Brokers Urge Homeowners to Take Proper Precautions Submitted Spring is here and what that means for Ontario is a sudden spike in warmer temperatures. Melting snow causes basement flooding in many homes across the province each year. The Insurance Bro- kers Association of Ontario (IBAO) is urging homeowners to follow certain precautions to avoid a possible water damage disaster resulting from flood. Conservation Ontario deems flooding as one of the leading causes of public emergency in the province. Although impossible to con- trol the weather, IBAO encourages Ontarians to take control of their own homes by making a few simple changes that will sig- nificantly reduce the nega- tive effects of flood damage. "Safe guarding your property from potential flood damages and ensur- ing you know what to do before and after a flood occurs is essential in the protection of yourself, your family and your property," said IBAO President, Michael Brattman. "Talk to an insurance broker for customized advice about your home in particular. We are here to help." Tips from IBAO to protect your home and property from flooding: • If the area you live in is suscep- tible to sewer back-up, make sure your home has a back-flow valve and plugs for drains, toilets and other sewer connectors installed. • If you have an unfinished basement, we suggest you store items in plastic contain- ers or on shelving at least 12" off the floor. • Ensure your window wells are clear of dirt and debris and periodically check your foundation for signs of wear, tear and cracks. Keep eaves and downspouts clear of debris and make sure water flow is directed away from the foundation. If the building code in your area permits it, have the downspouts connected directly to your weeping tiles or sewer drain. • Check shingles, chimneys, air vent and flashing for any damage. Your eaves troughs and downspout sys- tem may have a buildup of leaves and granules from shingles over the winter, which may result in a back- up of water into your residence. • Shovel away remaining snow from the foundation to reduce surface water during the sudden spring thaw. Areas around ground level windows and win- dow wells should be cleared regularly. Valerie Gillies/Lucknow Sentinel Water valves Repaired James Piel and Matthew Albrecht, labourer/operators for Bill & Tom Kempton Construction relay the paving stones on Campbell Street in Lucknow after making repairs to the water valves on March 18, 2015. Flood Prone Areas in the Suspension Notices to Students Township of Huron -Kinloss Springtime Reminder The Maitland Valley Con- servation Authority (MVCA) has identified portions of the Township of Huron -Kinloss, particularly the urban centre of Lucknow, as likely flood prone areas. The area is con- sidered to be a flood damage centre and therefore, the risks and damages from flooding are considered high within this area. Also, flood risks are not limited to any one time of year. In order to respond to a flood emergency in Luc - know, both the MVCA and the Township of Huron -Kin- loss have prepared Flood Contingency Plans/Flood Emergency Plans. In the event of a flood, coopera- tion among the MVCA, Township of Huron -Kinloss and the residents and busi- nesses is important. If a flood event occurs, MVCA will issue watches and warnings through CKNX radio (FM 101.7 The One, FM 94.5 The Bull, AM920). The Township will also provide public infor- mation via this e-mail, as well as on the Huron -Kin- loss website. If you are asked to leave your home, please do so, as the Town- ship will make this request in the interest of public health and safety. At this time, the Lucknow Community Centre has been identified as the main evacuation centre in the event of a flood. You may assemble at this location. A Registration and Inquiry Centre will be established at the Community Centre, as well. You can stay informed by registering for email alerts on the Township web- site. Visit the Huron -Kin- loss website and click on the subscribe button to reg- ister for instant notification of emergency notices, as well as other information. Preparing for and respond- ing to a community emer- gency requires all of us. Safeguard your home and family. Be prepared. Suspension notices have gone out for 1,762 students across Grey Bruce. Issued by public health, the notices require parents to provide proof of immunization for their child. If proof of immu- nization or a valid philosoph- ical or medical exemption is not provided, students may be suspended for a period of 20 school days. Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), all elemen- tary and secondary students require proof of immuniza- tion against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and new for the 2014/15 school year pertus- sis, varicella (chicken pox) and meningococcal disease. "All students must be up- to-date with immunizations in order to provide a safe school environment for eve- ryone and reduce the risk of vaccine -preventable disease outbreaks," says Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hazel Lynn. This is a large number of suspension notices com- pared with previous years. There were 698 suspension orders in 2012/13 school year. No notices were issued in the 2013/14 school year as student immunization records were being transferred to the new province -wide Panorama system. Addi- tionally, the requirements for pertussis, varicella and meningococcal immuniza- tion are new to the sched- ule this year. Parents are responsible for reporting their child's immu- nization records to their local public health unit. Parents who receive notices should submit their child's immunization information to the Grey Bruce Health Unit by phone, fax or email prior to the first day of sus- pension, April 20, 2015. Phone: 519-376-9420/ 1-800-263-3456 - switch- board will direct to nurse on- call, a -mail• immunization@ publichealthgreybruce. on.ca, fax: 519-376-7782, website: publichealthgrey- bruce.on.ca/Your-Health/ Immunization Immunization -Records - and -Reporting. Parents can call their health care provider or pub- lic health to obtain the required immunizations or exemption forms. For further information, call public health at 519-376- 9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.pub- lichealthgreybruce. on. ca.