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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 31, 2013 | 6 Editorial Sound advice: `Be Prepared' The weather may nally be warm, but as we've heard of the serious weather damage in Brampton this week, it also means disaster can strike at any moment. If recent years -- winter or summer -- have taught us anything, it's that emergencies/disasters can strike at any time -- and anywhere. Last spring's VIA Rail train derailment in neighbouring Burlington was a prime example of that, while many of us will not soon forget the tornado that ripped through the older part of Milton in August 2009. These local incidents and countless more seen around the world beg the question, just how ready are we for an emergency? Earlier this month (May 5-11) saw the Canadian Red Cross mark Emergency Preparedness Week. It served as a good time for the Red Cross to encourage families to do their part to prepare for potential emergencies in their own community by building an emergency preparedness kit. It's strongly recommended that everyone prepare to be self-suf cient for at least 72 hours following a disaster with a kit that includes the following: · Flashlight and batteries · Radio and batteries (or a wind-up radio) · Toilet paper and personal supplies · Important papers such as identification and personal documents · Canned food and bottled water, manual can opener (replace food and batteries once each year) · One change of clothing and shoes · Blankets or sleeping bags · Extra car keys and cash · A whistle to attract attention · First-aid kit · Medication The Red Cross also provides free emergency personal preparedness workshops in the community throughout the year. We never think it will happen to us, but we all recall some time in our lives when we were caught unaware and scrambling... and cursing that we should have known better and invested the small amount of time to have been prepared. To learn more about disaster preparedness, visit www. redcross.ca/ready. At the Preparedness Workshops held by Red Cross personnel, members of community organizations and businesses discuss steps worth taking to be prepared for disasters at home, and on the road. In 2012/13 the Canadian Red Cross conducted 55 workshops in Halton and reached just under 1,500 people. Canadian Red Cross Volunteers in Halton also supported and were deployed to help in the Northern Fires and Thunder Bay oods here in Canada, and along with the American Red Cross led relief operation for Hurricane Sandy. No one ever thinks disaster will affect them, but it doesn't take much time to help ensure our well-being if and when the unexpected should happen. Isn't it worth the effort -- just in case? "Connected to your Community" 467 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Fax: (905) 337-5566 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 51 | Number 65 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS I have not known any of the countless number of teenagers who have taken their own lives recently. As a parent of a four-year-old, I may not know a lot about raising a teen, but as a high school teacher, there is one thing I do know: our kids are killing themselves. After the tragic death of a teenager, many people cannot help but ask: Why did this happen? Who is responsible? How could this happen? What causes kids with such a long life ahead of them to end it now? Where were their friends/teachers/siblings/family? While it's natural to seek answers, it's naive to assume that there is fault in the victim's support group. People involved in the lives of teens care deeply about them and want them to succeed. My parents did. I was bullied mercilessly as a child. I know how that feels and the impact that it leaves. The difference between my experience and the experience of kids today, when I went home I was safe. I had time to cry and receive support from my parents. I had time to develop scabs. I had time to heal. I had time. My bullies didn't have access to my house in any way shape or form. Today's bullies are We need to step up and get involved Letters to the Editor MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager ubiquitous. Their god-like omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence are only limited by the capabilities of the Internet. They permeate deep into the lives of our children. Bullying has evolved at the speed of technology. It has left the unsupervised, adultless recesses of schools and playgrounds and now inhabits the boundless expanses of cyberspace. Bullies no longer require physical intimidation, social status or in uence, they simply require Internet access. To in ict physical harm upon someone is a very intimate interaction. It's very personal and the sheer human contact, and possibility of experiencing pain themselves, inhibits most from exacting it upon others. Social media is the antithesis. Millions of people use social media responsibly on a daily basis. By its nature it is a tool. But when loaded with words and images of anger, fear and malice it becomes a weapon. When used, its victim has no face. Much like a tree falling in the woods with no one there to hear it, the victim utters no noise. Their pain is silent. They do not bruise or bleed. I have seen the most viSee Building on p.7 Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.