Page 18 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 121

18 Issue #121 February 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com

Cornwall Fire Services

with Deputy Chief Leighton Woods

Stay Warm… but also Safe.

It might be tempting to plug in a space heater during winter months to stay warm — but beware, these can be a fire hazard.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters are involved in 43% of home heating fires every year. That’s
not saying that all space heaters are dangerous. It’s the matter in which these are used that can become a hazard.
You should never leave a space heater unattended, especially overnight while you’re sleeping, or in a child’s room.
They should also not be placed on elevated surfaces. That’s because they can fall off and end up too close to flammable objects.
Space heaters need to be plugged into a wall outlet and should be the only thing plugged in this same outlet. Using extension cords or
pow er trips may become overloaded if connected to a space heater. That could cause a fire.
I suggest that you create a safe space of at least three feet surrounding your space heater, to reduce the risk of fire.
Another source of heat that can also be quite the safety hazard, are candles.
Always make sure to extinguish candles when leaving the room or going to sleep. They should also be placed in sturdy, burn-resistant containers that
won’t tip over and are big enough to collect dripping wax.
It goes without saying that you should avoid placing your candle near windows, where blinds or curtains may close or blow over them.
Be careful when buying novelty candles. Avoid candles surrounded by flammable paint, paper, dried flowers, or breakable/meltable containers.
When buying or using novelty candles, try to determine if they pose a potential fire hazard — if, for instance, they contain a combustible component.
Use extreme caution when carrying a lit candle, hold it well away from your clothes and any combustibles that may be along your path.
Lastly is your trusted furnace — the thing that is most likely keeping your whole family warm this winter. Please make sure to leave enough ventilation
space around it.
Don’t lean anything against it and clear away any boxes or clutter from around air intakes or vents. A gas furnace requires proper ventilation, if your
furnace has exterior air intakes, they must be inspected to ensure there is nothing blocking them; like snow.
You should also never leave any combustibles in the furnace room. Don’t store anything near your furnace that’s combustible at low flash points — like
gasoline, paint, and paint thinners.

Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services

By Wayne Markell

Keeping your Heart Healthy

Since February is Heart Health Month, I thought that it would be fitting for me to discuss how you can keep heart disease at bay.
Heart disease refers to the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries that could lead to a heart attack, heart failure, or even death.
Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada. According to recent data from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System,
about 1 in 12 — or 2.6 million — Canadian adults 20 years of age and older, live with a diagnosed heart disease.
What’s even more shocking is that every hour, about 14 Canadian adults are diagnosed with heart disease die.
It’s therefore important to know that some heart diseases are passed down genetically, whereas others are the result of lifestyle choices.
Risk factors in developing heart disease include diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, a lack of exercise, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and obesity.
The first step you can take in improving your heart health is changing your diet. Make sure that you eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, and grains as well as meat and
alternatives, and that you keep your intake of processed foods as low as possible. These contain saturated and trans fats and a lot of salt.
It should also be noticed that omega-3 fatty acids — which are often present in fish — help prevent heart disease and if you don’t like fish, dietary supplements are available
in the vitamin aisle, to fill that gap.
Limiting your alcohol consumption can also lead to better heart health. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions (CCSA), funded by Health Canada,
recommends consuming no more than two alcoholic drinks per week, a drastic reduction from years past.
When dealing with heart health, it’s also very important to reduce stress. This can be attained in a variety of ways, which could include reading a book, watching a movie,
or visiting a friend. Regular breathing exercises can also help in reducing your stress levels.
While regular physical activity can help reduce your risk for heart diseases and conditions, it depends on your current health. Ask your health care provider to advise you
on any high intensity exercises you are considering.
If intense workouts aren’t for you, consider taking a short half hour walk on a daily basis. Even losing a little extra weight can help reduce your risk of heart disease. Finding
a way to enjoy the process will greatly assist you in your ‘Healthy Heart’ goals.
Stay Healthy, Stay Safe!