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6 Independent & Free Press, Sunday, December 19, 2010 OPINION Be safe, not sorry While Christmas and the new year provide a source of joy for many who are fortunate enough to share the holidays with family and friends in a warm home and with plenty of food to eat, it can also be a time of momentary distractions that can lead to a fire tragedy. Unattended stoves, misuse of candles, natural Christmas trees located too close to heat sources and without enough water, worn out electrical cords used for festive decorations, and careless disposal of smoking materials at holiday parties have the potential to send holiday celebrations up in smoke. Most of us probably never imagine being forced from our homes-- especially not at this time of the year-- however, victims of major holiday fires are often misplaced for months-- assuming they escape the fire. The office of the Ontario Fire Marshal and the Halton Hills Fire Department wish to remind residents to be extra vigilant during the holidays where fire safety is concerned. According to Acting Fire Marshal of Ontario Doug Crawford, "Unattended cooking is the No. 1 cause of home fires, particularly around the holidays when people are easily distracted. It is important that everyone stay in the kitchen and pay attention when cooking." Preparing and practising an escape plan in the event of a fire could save your life, as could a properly working smoke alarm on every level of your home-- which, by the way, is the law in Ontario. For more potentially life-saving fire safety advice, call the Halton Hills Fire Department at 905-877-1133 or visit www.ofm.gov.on.ca. 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@independentfreepress.com) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@independentfreepress.com) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@independentfreepress.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@independentfreepress.com) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@independentfreepress.com) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@independentfreepress.com) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@independentfreepress.com) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@independentfreepress.com) WEB POLL RESULTS So far Halton Region has managed to dodge any major snowstorms but our luck may run out soon. How do you feel when it comes to winter weather? · The more snow the better (25%) · A light dusting at Christmas is enough (39%) · If it was 20C all winter it would be ideal (36%) Go to www.independentfreepress.com Steve Nease Letters to the editor Make a donation to a food bank Dear editor, I recently volunteered to take part in the "Donated Diet" Challenge, co-ordinated by Halton Community Legal Services, and so spent a few days eating only what I would have received from a visit to Acton Foodshare. I came away humbled and grateful for the work of the many dedicated volunteers and generous donors who keep our food banks going. However, as we approach the holidays, I couldn't help but think how isolating it would be to reach the end of this month with only donated canned goods and pasta in the cupboard. Our local food banks have suggested that with every monetary gift they can purchase more fresh produce, dairy products, infant formula and the kinds of seasonal offerings that make the "non-perishables" that have been donated go a little farther and taste a little better. This year visits to the food banks are way up. If you are struggling to find just the right gift for someone who is `hard to buy for' why not make a donation in their name. Cheques of any amount would be gratefully received at: · Acton Foodshare, 350 Queen Street, Acton, L7J 1R2 (519-8530457) · The Georgetown Bread Basket, 55 Sinclair Avenue, Unit 12 L7G 4X4 (905-873-3368) Gillian Tuck Kutarna, HDSB Trustee, Halton Hills and support volunteers to the HHHI facilities and partner venues in Haiti. From Halton Hills, Karen McKenzieStepner and Eric Doubt have worked in country for many years. Karen just returned from a mission and other members of our local volunteer team will be able to participate, thanks to the generosity of our community. The dance and silent auction was a wonderful evening featuring much generosity and support from: the wonderful staff of the Acton Legion who volunteered their time and a portion of the refreshment proceeds, the talented and entertaining Itchy and Scratchy band, the decor that set the mood from Lasting Impressions (C&S Printing), appetizing food from The Caribbean Jerk Plate, and volunteers who helped organize, set up and keep the silent auction, raffles and door prizes moving. Our business community reached out with a large number of valuable, attractive auction items from antique clocks, restaurant dinners and Haitian art. Thank you Halton Hills for raising $2,674 of net proceeds from this event. This will significantly help provide support volunteers to programs for the disabled in Haiti. Marnie Hughes, on behalf of the G8 (Georgetown 8-Team Canada Healing Hands) Support appreciated Dear editor, Through the medium of our community newspaper we would like to express our deep appreciation to all who supported the dance and silent auction for Haiti at the Acton Legion on October 23. Our cause is Team Canada Healing Hands, the Canadian partner of Healing Hands for Haiti International which provides physical medicine and rehabilitation services and programs to the 800,000 Haitians living with disabilities. Any form of disability is especially immobilizing in Haiti, limiting possibilities for employment, schooling, raising a family and quality of life. Team Canada Healing Hands recruits, supports and deploys medical Letters to the editor policy Letters must include an address and daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publication is not guaranteed. E-mail: jmcghie@independentfreepress.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. The Independent & Free Press The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.