Fire Safety at this time of year

The last thing you want to do is worry about your home going up in flames over the holidays.

Our local firefighters are reaching out to residents with a point-by-point holiday safety guide in hopes of fewer emergency calls so everyone can enjoy the holiday season.

As temperatures begin to drop, the department says homeowners may choose to go to lengths to keep their families warm, as well as keep their lights on later with the nights getting longer.

Fire Rescue is asking everyone to consider  the following tips for winter:

• Use approved light sets only
• Do not overload circuits, check all light sets prior to use and discard any that are frayed or damaged, and use proper clips (not staples) to install outdoors.
• Always turn off lights before leaving home or going to bed.
• Home heating appliances
• Ensure all furnaces, gas fireplaces, chimneys or space heaters are in good working condition, and remember to place portable devices at least one metre away from flammable materials. 
• Cooking
• Please remember to pay attention and never leave it unattended.
• Kitchen fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries.
• Candles can easily ignite anything
• Open flames can be unpredictable at times
• Choose battery-operated "flameless" candles as an alternative.
• Trees
• If using a real cut tree, select one that is fresh (with needles that are difficult to pull off the branches), make a fresh cut off the bottom, immerse the trunk in water (replenishing daily) and place it at least one metre away from heat sources. 
• The silent killer
• Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless and colourless gas created when fuels, such as natural gas, burn incompletely in the home. It can cause serious illness and even be fatal.
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location of your home following the manufacturer's instructions. 
• Smoke alarms
• Check that there is a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, and that all family members can recognize its sound — smoke alarms save lives. 
• Plan your escape route
• Make sure your family has an emergency escape plan and that all family members know of and practice at least two ways out, both at night and during daylight hours.
• Children should be taught how to escape on their own in case no one is able to assist them.

 

Positive thoughts count down to xmas 9

I am grateful for many things and as we are in the holiday season. I will start with my family.  I  know I am lucky, I have a wonderful family. My daughter, her partner and our grandson are world-class skiers, and are full of adventure, and strong, independent people. My son is a very talented musician, and his partner is a professional graphic artist who is managing, producing and doing some directing for an animated children's TV series. My other daughter, is very caring and works with seniors who have disabilities,  has twins and a daughter and we are lucky that she has adopted us as her children's grandparents. The two boys are excellent hockey players and may go far in a very competitive sport, while the girl is turning out to be a very good dancer.

My beautiful wife is a creative force in our house and has pursued hobbies in stain glass, has helped edit a number of books and has acted as the Props Master in numerous plays over the years. Her current creative endeavours are focused on the culinary arts. This has given us some very interesting and tasty meals.

My Mom and Dad, who both died before I reached 40 were both strong characters. They both came from, as my mom would say, strong peasant stock. They both became involved in volunteer work in their community, coaching, working in and running an annual exhibit and fair. They both served the community by sitting on the School Board, my dad for 15 years and my mom for 6 years. Both overcame many adversities while they were growing up and had a strong sense of family. I was given the gift of cousins, Aunts and Uncles as I was growing up. My parents would make sure that at least twice a month we would visit cousins and once or twice a year we would visit Aunts and Uncles or they would visit us. It was not unusual to have one of my dads' sisters and family drop in, or my mom's brother or sister would appear for a visit. 

My 3 brothers and I grew up in a loving home and each of us became successful in his own way and have loving, wonderful children and spouses and grandchildren. A few years ago we discovered we had a half-brother, and as we got to know him we found him to be a quiet, sensitive man, with a loving sister and family. All of my four brothers and I meet once a month via Zoom as we are in different cities and it is hard to get together.

I appreciate my family all year, but at this time of year, I know how lucky I am to have such great people in my life. I hope that you have people in your life who love and support you.

Positive thoughts count down to xmas 10

A surplus of love at this time of year

removes from all the taste of tears.

I am lucky, I could never spend 

all the abundance that's mine to send.

I sense all the love that’s mine to feel.

Know all the peace, that only some can steal.

Have the time to pass with friends,

to laugh, love, and make amends.

If you do not have enough,

try imagining although it's tough.

When you find the time to contemplate 

You will find that love is your fate.

The Storytelling Chairs

Seven wooden storytelling chairs sit at the heart of the COVID in the House of Old exhibit, speaking to seven lives indelibly altered by the COVID pandemic’s spread through long-term care. Each individual represented by a chair stands in place for hundreds or thousands of Canadians who faced similar circumstances.

The chairs’ audios were culled from a series of interviews conducted over the Fall of 2021. Daughters, sons, and grandchildren told tales of devastating loss. Survivor residents spoke of painful separation. Workers described confusion, exhaustion and terrible stress.

Yet, the people profiled here are much more than casualties of history. Their stories are also about aspiration, accomplishment, enthusiasm, good times, bravery and deep personal connection. A representational object is mounted on the back of each chair, while paper “Valentine” acknowledgements, lovingly created by family, friends and project researchers, rest on each seat.

Bob’s Chair

Bob was a deeply loved husband, father, and grandfather. He had a successful career at BC Tel and was active in recreational sports on Vancouver’s North Shore. He died of COVID at Lynn Valley Care Centre in April 2020. Listen to the 5-minute audio about Bob here or click on the chair. Bob’s Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Maggie’s Chair

Maggie, born in Toronto to parents from Trinidad and Jamaica, was a secretary, a single mother, a volunteer and a devoted grandmother. She died of COVID in Toronto’s Wellesley Central Place in April 2020. Listen to the 5-minutes audio about Maggie here or click on the chair.

Maggie’s Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Moon’s Chair

Moon was born, married and made a family in Hong Kong. Moving to Vancouver in the 1990s, she enjoyed bingo, cooking, volunteering and family time. She dies of COVID in Little Mountain Place in December 2020. Listen to the 5-minute audio about Moon here. Moon’s Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Esther’s Chair

Esther is a care aide (PSW) in a long-term care facility in Toronto. A registered nurse originally from Uganda, Esther has the ambition and passion to build a fulfilling career in Canada’s healthcare system as a nurse. Listen to the five-minute audio of Esther here. Esther’s Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Jacobus’ Chair

Jacobus was born in the Netherlands. A father and a grandfather, he left his long-term care facility in Ontario in July 2020 to live with his daughter on Hornby Island, BC. Jacobus loves nature, farming, languages, and his family. Listen to the five-minute audio about Jacobus here. Jacobus’ Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Karen’s Chair

Karen was a Squamish First Nation resident of Hilltop House, a long-term care facility in Squamish, BC. She loved her son and daughter and her culture. Karen died unexpectedly in November 2021. Listen to the five-minute audio about Karen here. Karen’s Chair – COVID in the House of Old

Wikwemikong Nursing Home

The Wikwemikong Nursing Home lies on the Wikwemikong Unceded Territory in Northern Ontario (Manitoulin Island in the Great Lakes area) and holds this chair. This is a place where Indigenous and non-Indigenous elders are honoured and cared for with kindness and respect.

The Wikwemikong Nursing Home chair speaks to the Truth and Reconciliation calls for Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge and practices to be recognized as equally valid. In fact, the story of the Wiky Nursing Home community is a signpost for settler Canadians to a better way of caring for our vulnerable elders.

Nursing home residents made the paper “Valentines” that rest on the chair and cluster around its base. The objects mounted on the Wikwemikong Nursing Home chair were selected by members of the home community with input from Elder Rita Corbiere. A Wikwemikong craftsperson created the birch bark canoe and the Wikwemikong crest was carved by a student at the local high school. Listen to the five-minute audio about the Wikwemikong Nursing Home here. Wikwemikong Nursing Home – COVID in the House