Change Your Clocks – Change Your Batteries

It’s that time again! Fall has arrived and it’s your reminder to change the clocks and change the smoke alarm batteries as well.

Fire Chief Brent Marshall says, “We change the clocks back one hour on Sunday November 6th, and this couldn’t be a better reminder to change your smoke alarm batteries”. Smoke alarms without batteries or with dead batteries, will not sound and give you the warning and precious seconds you need, to escape a fire.

Once the batteries have been changed, test the alarm to ensure it will sound. One easy way to test the alarm is to hold a lit incense stick 10 – 12” below the device and let the smoke drift upwards into it until it sounds. Once the alarm sounds, fan the smoke away and consider giving it a quick vacuum to remove any dust and contaminants that may have accumulated over the past few months.

Keep in mind as well, that smoke alarms do not last forever. The fire service suggests that smoke alarms between 7 and 10 years old, be considered for replacement. Manufacturers’ specifications may also indicate the expiry date or life span, however, in general terms the life of a smoke alarm is 10 years and replacement is due.

Unfortunately, the Fire Service continues to find residential occupancies without working smoke alarms. With the minimal costs of smoke alarms today, it is difficult to understand why there are not working smoke alarms in every home. Since March 1, 2006 the Ontario Fire Code requires a working smoke alarm on every level of the home, including the basement and outside all sleeping areas.

It is well known that properly installed and maintained smoke alarms prevent injury and saves lives. Let’s have everybody do their part and ensure they have working smoke alarms in their home. Halton Hills has not experienced a fire fatality since 2004, let’s continue being successful in keeping these tragedies from occurring in our community.

In keeping with this years’ Fire Prevention Week theme “Protect Your Family From Fire”, everybody should have a well rehearsed home escape plan. The development and rehearsal of a home escape plan can ensure a quick, safe evacuation of family members.

More information on the purchase or placement of smoke alarms is available at the Information Centre in the Georgetown Market Place, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 – 2:00. You may also call 905-877-1133 and ask for the Public Education Division for any additional information.

YOUth Matter!

Weigh in on the findings at the Youth Needs Study Public Open Houses November 2 & 3

Town of Halton Hills has under gone a Youth Needs Study (YNS) to ensure that the Town’s provision and management of recreation programs, facilities and services continue to meet the needs of youth between the ages of 13 and 19. For the past year, YNS has been gathering the thoughts, feedback and comments of youth in Halton Hills. The data has been tabulated and the results are in!

Community members are encouraged to come out to the YNS Open Houses and weigh in on the findings! There will be snacks, music, and prizes (including the iPods). To be entered in the draw for an iPod youth must simply ‘like’ YNS on Facebook.

YNS Public Open Houses
November 2nd
Acton District High School, 6:30-8:30pm

November 3rd
Civic Centre, Georgetown, 6:30-8:30pm

Transportation is available; please contact youth@haltonhills.ca or 905.873.2601 ext. 2276 for details.

“The YNS is an opportunity for youth and their families to have a say in what is provided for youth in our community” says Mayor Bonnette. “I encourage everyone to come out to the Open House to provide their feedback and ensure that the youth voice has been heard”.

For more information visit the Town’s website at www.haltonhills.ca/youth or Facebook/yns.

It's the time of year.

What is October without a few good days of heavy rains and high winds. Seems we have had our share lately. Last week the G.T.A. had experienced close to 100 k winds. Now today and tomorrow the G.T.A. are expecting anywhere from 25-35 mm of rain in the next 24 hours with more high winds. This can cause power shortages and creeks and rivers to flood. Let's hope not.
The Conservation authorities have already issued water warnings so be careful and use caution. Now if we are going to get a storm and real miserable weather I for one don't mind it during the week as long it is passed before the long weekend.
It doesn't look too bad for the weekend. Let's hope so.

Buy American v2.0

Here we go again! The Americans two weeks ago introduced the American Jobs Act. If this passes, Canadian manufacturers will once again feel the squeeze of the Buy American rules. Have the Americans not learned from their “Buy American” from a few years ago? Protectionism was one of the leading causes of the “Great Depression”. Trade barriers hurt both countries.

It is exasperating that Canada may be back in the same position it was in 2009. Led by Halton Hills, municipalities from across Canada took a stand and said enough of Americans shutting out Canadian companies from bidding on these infrastructure projects. Meanwhile US companies were allowed to bid on Canadian infrastructure projects. We have local jobs to protect. Last time around the Federal Government was very reluctant to get involved. This time around, Minister Fast was quick to criticize the new American Jobs Act. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities will be keeping a close eye on these latest developments.