Summer Home Safety Tips

Below are tips on how to keep your home and family safe  this summer.

In the House

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, change batteries immediately if needed. 
• Check your fire extinguishers.
• Check for overloaded or damaged extension cords, replace where needed.
• Ensure you have an emergency preparedness kit in case of incidents such as power outages and flooding.
• Practice your families fire escape plan so everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency
• Windows should be checked to ensure they open and close properly, in case they are needed as an exit
• Properly store household chemicals and never mix cleaning agents
• Recycle: Get rid of old newspapers, magazines and junk mail. These items tend to pile up and can greatly contribute to the severity and spread of fire.
• Check and clean filters above stove.
• Pull refrigerator out and vacuum or dust the coils.
• Always keep stairs and landings clear for safe evacuation in event of an emergency.

Around the House

• Make sure your address numbers are up and visible from the street.
• Maintain a clear 'fire zone' of 10' around structures.
• Check outdoor electrical outlets and other electrical appliances for animal nests and to ensure proper wiring.
• Keep 100' of garden hose with an attached nozzle connected and ready for use.
• Remove leaves and trash from carports and garages: Combustible materials are dangerous if they are exposed to heated automobile components, especially under the vehicle.
• Clean up and properly store paints, pool and yard chemicals.
• Check fuels containers for leaks and make sure they are properly stored.
• Let power equipment sit for approximately 30 minutes before placing it inside to be sure there is no possibility of fire.
• Some municipalities do not allow open air burning.  Always check with your local fire department for questions, instructions and permits.

BBQ Tips

• All barbeque grills must only be used outdoors — using grills indoors or in enclosed spaces is not only a fire hazard, but it exposes occupants to toxic gasses and potential asphyxiation.
• Always position the grill well away from combustible objects — buildings, fences, deck railings and landscaping can easily and quickly ignite.
• Get your grill cleaned and serviced. Check all propane tanks and lines for leaks and damage.
• Never leave a lit grill unattended.
• Always use long handled grilling utensils and heat resistant oven mitts to avoid exposure burns from heat and flames.
• Periodically remove grease build-up in catch trays to prevent it from igniting.
• Keep a garden hose nearby, connected and ready for use in case of a fire.

Three Steps to Emergency Preparedness

Everyone should be ready to leave their homes in case of an emergency such as flood or fire.

An emergency preparedness kit makes it easy to grab and go if you need to evacuate or leave your home quickly. 

You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours. By taking a few simple steps today, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere.

Verdant Creek Wildfire 25 km from Canmore

The 3 Steps

# 1: Know the Risks

Although the consequences of various disasters can be similar, knowing the risks in your region can help you better prepare. Across Canada, we face a number of hazards, such as earthquakes in British Columbia, blizzards in Nunavut and tornadoes in Ontario. In addition to natural disasters, there are other types of risks, such as power outages and industrial or transportation accidents. 

Find out the risks most likely in your community by visiting the ‘Know the risks' section from the GetPrepared.ca website or by calling 1-800-O-CANADA to obtain our National Hazards map.

# 2: Make a Plan

Every Canadian household needs an emergency plan. It will help you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency.

Your family may not be together when an emergency occurs. Plan how to meet or how to contact one another, and discuss what you would do in different situations.

It only takes 20 minutes to complete a personalized plan online. You can then print it out. Most of this information can be filled out on your own. You may need to get some information from your municipality. To complete your emergency plan online, visit the ‘Make an emergency plan' page from the GetPrepared.ca website.

To fill out your home emergency plan, you will need to think about the following:

• Safe exits from home and neighborhood
• Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates
• Designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable
• Contact persons close-by and out-of-town
• Special health needs
• Place for your pet to stay
• Risks in your region
• Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain
• Keep this document in an easy-to-find, easy-to-remember place (for example, with your emergency kit). 

# 3: Get an Emergency Kit

In an emergency you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Make sure your kit is easy to carry and everyone in the household knows where it is. Keep it in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible place, such as your front-hall closet.

Basic emergency kit

• Water – at least two litres of water per person per day. Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order
• Food that won't spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (Replace food and water once a year).
• Manual can-opener
• Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries)
• Wind-up or battery-powered radio (and extra batteries)
• First aid kit
• Extra keys to your car and house
• Some cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills and change for payphones
• A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
• Special items such as prescription medications, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities or food, water and medication for your pets or service animal (personalize your kit according to your needs)
• TIP
• Keep a corded phone in your home, as most cordless phones will not work during a power outage.

Recommended additional items

• Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
• Candles and matches or lighter (Place candles in sturdy containers and do not burn unattended)
• Change of clothing and footwear for each household member
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
• Toiletries
• Hand sanitizer
• Utensils
• Garbage bags
• Toilet paper
• Household chlorine bleach or water purifying tablets
• Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, dust mask, pocket knife)
• Small fuel-driven stove and fuel (follow manufacturer's directions and store properly)
• A whistle (in case you need to attract attention)
• Check your kit twice a year to ensure contents are up to date. Re-stock as needed.

2nd Place at 24 Hours of Adrenalin

Congratulations to The Mudslingers 10 person team.  They came in 2nd in the 10 person category, last weekends 24 Hours of Adrenalin held here in Canmore, AB at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Jordy was part of the team and spun his laps around the course.  The team had one shoulder/arm injury (he will recover) but all riders completed their assigned laps in good time.

While Jordy was out riding, Jim ran the business and cheered the team on.

The 24 Hours of Adrenalin was created (1994) with the sole purpose of gathering like-minded people together for a weekend of fun, challenges and positive experiences. It’s a family and friends event that invites all abilities of riders to one of the world’s best outdoor playgrounds.

This is an annual event in Canmore, check it out if you are interested in riding next year. 24 Hours

Home Seller's Guide

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) has just released its new Home Seller's Guide.  This guide walks you through every step of selling your home.

1. Getting Ready to Sell
2. Finding a Professional to Work With
3. Working with a Real Estate Professional
4. Completing the Seller Representation Agreement
5. Conflicts of Interest
6. Considering Offers
7. Negotiations
8. Finalizing a Purchase and Preparing for Possession
9. What to Expect on Possession Day

Download the Guide
or
go to the Online Guide

Save Money on Your Home Improvement with Energy Efficient Alberta

Energy Efficiency Alberta, a new Government of Alberta agency, created the Home Improvement Rebates program to promote efficient energy consumption and reduce Alberta’s carbon footprint. The program is designed to support homeowners with the installation of energy-efficient appliances and products to reduce household emissions.

Rebates of up to $3,500 will be granted for eligible products including insulation, water heaters (ENERGY STAR® certified) and triple glaze (low-e, argon) windows.  

These rebates will not only make energy efficient products more affordable, they’ll also lower energy bills for homeowners after installation.

Rebate eligibility: 

To receive a rebate for the installation of an eligible home improvement product, start by selecting an Alberta-based registered contractor from the list provided at efficiencyalberta.ca. Your contractor will then guide you through the application process and rebates will be sent directly to you after the completion of each project.

Rebate program types: 

The Home Improvement Rebate is just one of three rebate types offered by Energy Efficiency Alberta. Below are the different rebates available through the
Residential Retail Products Program:

Home Improvement Rebate: Rebates for eligible home improvement products that are installed by a certified Alberta-based contractor.
https://www.efficiencyalberta.ca/home-improvement/

Online rebates: Homeowners who buy qualifying refrigerators, smart thermostats and clothes washers may apply for rebates online.
https://www.efficiencyalberta.ca/online-rebates/

Residential Solar Program: The Residential and Commercial Solar Program offers rebates to homeowners, businesses and non-profits that install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Bolstered by other initiatives like the Alberta Municipal Solar Program and the On-Farm Solar PV Program, solar uptake has doubled in the province since 2015. Albertans are keen on solar, and this program keeps the momentum going!

Residential No-charge Engergy Savings Program: The Residential No-Charge Energy Savings Program offers direct, no-charge installation of energy efficient products across the province, in rural and urban houses, apartments and condos. Whether you own or rent your home, an Energy Efficiency Alberta installer will visit your home and conduct a walkthrough to identify potential opportunities for energy-efficient upgrades at no charge. Most homes can be upgraded in one to three hours.

https://www.efficiencyalberta.ca/residential-no-charge/


For more information on Energy Efficiency Alberta and the Home Improvement Rebates program, visit efficiencyalberta.ca.

Bear 148 - In Grave Danger

Bear 148 - Alex Taylor Parks Canada

Bear 148 is a prime example of the close proximity that we, in the mountains, live with our wildlife.

She is six years old and around 400 pounds.  She has already had multiple encounters with humans the latest being this week in Canmore. She has never harmed a human, she just wanders in her mountains wherever her paws take her regarding no human imposed boundaries.

She is a collared bear and according to the data collected by Fish & Wildlife she spends around 9 to 95 percent of her time in Banff National Park.  It is believed that she has bred this season and will be having a new cub next year.

Why is she in danger?  

People love to have a photo of a bear and approach her on a regular basis.   This increases the risk of conflict and unfortunately Bear 148 will be euthanized should she harm a person.

How can you help?

Please stay away from any bear you see.  Not only does this guarantee your safety (they are unpredictable wild animals) but it increases the chance that there will be no human/bear conflict resulting in the death of a bear.

Never feed any wild life!

For more information on Bear 148 please visit these article links:

Canmore resident says spare bear - RM Outlook

Bear 148: What we know about the grizzly and her hundreds ofhuman encounters – Global News

Grizzly that charged hiker with stroller to be released inBanff National Park – CBC

Grizzly Bear 148 captured after charging man in Canmore - Calgary Herald

For Bear Aware Training visit Bear Safety & more

http://bearsafety.com/

Mountain Heat Wave? How to Beat the Heat!

Wow, we are going into our first heat wave of the summer.

Typically, here in the mountains it is cooler.  Temperatures rarely go above a high of 25 c with a low of 10 – 15 c.  This week we are expecting highs above average ranging up to 31 c.  As most of us do not have air conditioning in our mountain homes here are a few ways to beat the heat.

Mist Bottle
Mist yourself with peppermint tea.  Brew up a pot of herbal peppermint tea or add your own mint to a pot of green tea.  Once it is chilled in the fridge pour it into a mist bottle and spray away. This will give a cool, tingly feeling to your hot skin.

Pressure Points
Placing an ice-cold water bottle on points such as your ankles, wrists, neck or behind your knees will help cool you down quickly.

Hydrate
Chrysanthemum tea lowers body temperature and may even soothe heat rash. Make iced tea in or other cool drinks and enjoy them over ice and don't forget to drink lots of plain water to keep your hydration levels up.

DIY Air Conditioning
Place ice or frozen water bottles in front of your room fan.  This will cool the area and lower the room temperature.

Eat Hot Soup
What?  Yes, hot soup or spicy food.  This will increase your blood circulation and it will cause you to sweat thus cooling your external temperature.

Cool Shower
Take frequent cool showers to keep your body temperature down.  This also rinses off the sweat and gets rid of that “sticky feeling”.

Freeze Your Sheets
Put your sheets into a plastic bag and put them in the freezer.  Make the bed just before you go to sleet and you will have cool dreams.

Chill Your Mattress
Too hot to sleep? Wrap ice packs in towels and put them into your bed prior to laying down. Once you are in, put them on your feet or neck.  This will keep you cool all night.

Close the Windows and Doors
In the morning before the house heats up close all your windows and doors, this will keep the cool air in the house.  When the sun goes down open everything up to get the benefit of the cool night air.

Stay Cool Everyone!