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PAGE 12, WInii3BY FREE PMESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1990 DUANE VAN ANr naught Novo, was representatives at UUG, of Con-« held recently at Whitby General on fthe medical Hospital. t dlilu *- --Iov Lepio the diabetic clinic Be extra cautious durin g holiday season More residential fires and fatalities. occur in Deoember than in any other month. Trees, woodstoves, fireplaces and busy kcitchens all contribute to this unfortunate statistic, and al deserve extra care and caution. But sometimes even good intentions are not enough when it cornes te holiday safety. Iris Boyko, claims adjuster for Wellington Insurance in Halton- Peel, relates two incidents where clients took basic safety precautions, yet stiil experienced problems. One client plugged in a string of bulbs and laid them out on the carpet to inspect them before putting them on the tree. "Good thing she did, too," says Boyko, '1because the wiring had deteriorated and burned her carpet - much less serlous than the damage that would have resulted had the lights been on the tree." Inspect bulbs on a concre floor te avoid the danger of scorching or fire," advises Boyko. "The basement or your garage are good alternatives, but make sure the floors are dry - or you could be in for a shock" Check light sets for cracked bulbs and frayed, broken or epsd wires.'Neyer use indoor lights outdoors or outdoor lights indoors and always use lights that are approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). It's also advisable not te, overload electrical circuits or run electric cords under rugs. A cheerful blaze in the fireplace is always welcome over the holidays, but Boyko stresses the importance of ensuring the, fire is completely dead before disposing of the asbes. She recalse another Wellington client who waited overnight before cleaning out the ashes from the fireplace. 'Unfortunately, it wasn't long enough," says Boyko. "'ibere were stiil some liv. embers in the ashes which started a fire in the garage where the garbage was stord. "Use a metal container for, fireplace ashes, Boyko advises, and store them outside, not in the basement or garage. To avoid other fire bazarda, trees should b. kept in water and positioned away from heat vents te prevent drying out. Always shut off bulbs before going out or ging te bed, and neyer use electric lights on metallic trees. This rnonth, Canadian' Consumner - The Radio Edition, sponsored by Wellington Insuranoe, focuses on holiday safety tips from the Canada SafetM Council. The Safety CouNè recornmends keeping an ali-purpose dry chemical fire exinguisher handy. This is true at ail times of -the yea, but if you don't have one, now is a good tfime te get on. - for yourself and as a giftfor .Omene you care about. More information on holiday safety and fire prevention is available from Wellington Insuranoe brokers. Over 80 coffee &end tables to choosefrorm WVANA HIIGGINS, owner of the Bonacord Day Car Centre, helpe Stacey Sullivan decorate the Christ- mas, tree at, the Canadian Imnperial Bank of Commerce i downtown Whitby. The tree-trimming is one of the activities mkn up the DBLA's Christmas festa. A * j .Çpi#*BqdezéO6,. 1 Cffle Bovie photo