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Advertorial How to prevent common home emergencies Dorothy Gale said "there's no place like home" in "The Wizard of Oz." But what about when homes are no longer safe? Household emergencies can occur at any time. When disaster strikes, knowing how to proceed effectively can make a world of difference and potentially save lives. Fortu- nately it's easy to prevent or reduce a wide range of household dangers by embracing some simple safety measures. Accidental falls The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that accidental falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injury among nearly every age group. Roughly three mil- lion adults age 65 and older experience falls that result in emergency room visits each year in the United States. Falls can be prevented by removing tripping hazards, installing steady handrails and other sup- ports and adding lighting in and around a home. If a fall should occur, stabilize the limb or injured area of the body and seek medical assistance. Kitchen fires The potential for danger exists whenev-The potential for danger exists whenev-The potential for danger exists whenev er cooking with heat or over open flames. Kitchen fires may occur, but they don't have to spread or cause serious issues if fast action is taken. Never use water to put out a grease fire - it will only spread it and make it worse. Cover the fire with a lid to suffocate the flames, or use baking soda to douse the fire. Always have an all-purpose fire extinguisher on hand, and know how to operate it. Burst pipes Burst pipes or leaking plumbing can quickly cause major damage in a home. Dwell Residential Group says to locate the water main, which is usually in the base- ment or garage on the "street side" near the water meter. Turn off the main to save the home and your wallet. Make the water main visible, mark which way is off, and in- struct others in the house on how to use it. Tipping furniture Tip-over incidents send thousands of people (especially young children) to emer-people (especially young children) to emer-people (especially young children) to emer gency rooms each year, says the United States Consumer Product Safety Commis- sion. Top-heavy items, like dressers, TV stands and televisions, bureaus, and book-stands and televisions, bureaus, and book-stands and televisions, bureaus, and book cases should be anchored to the wall. Unintentional poisoning People may inadvertently consume household poisons. State Farm advises calling 9-1-1 if the victim is unconscious or not breathing. If the person is alert, consult with the Ontario Poison Centre at 1-800- 268-9017 and await instructions. Keep the bottle or packaging of the assumed poison on hand and be prepared to discuss symp- toms and personal information about the victim. Fire or other danger No one ever thinks an emergency situa- tion necessitating escape from the home will take place. But to play it safe, residents should designate emergency exits that are the quickest and safest ways out of every room in the house. Practice this plan and pick a specific meeting spot outside. Safety at home involves knowing how to act fast in an emergency and how to reduce your risk of being in potentially dangerous situations. (MCC) Set your home up for a cozy winter (NC) One of the best things about winter is coming inside from the frigid weather to a cozy and welcoming environment. To make your home a space where you'll want to hibernate all season long, check out these tips. Add layers of lighting Our winters can be long and cold, so take steps to make sure your refuge is toasty warm and invit- ing. Swap out cool, white lightbulbs for warm ones and place plenty of light fixtures at various heights throughout your home. Think reading lamps, wall sconces and pendant lights. If you have a fire- place, make sure it's clean and safe to use for natural lighting and warmth. You can also pepper your home with candles in comforting seasonal scents like fresh pine or cinnamon. Create cozy nooks Whether it's in your bedroom, living room or study, set up spaces that make you want to curl up for a relaxing evening. Try making a little read- ing nook in your bay window where you can dive into a good read while pausing to watch the snow fall. If you love board games or puzzles, set up a dedicated table on the side of your living or fam- ily room, and you can leave them out so you can return whenever you like without worrying about tidying up. Warm up with textiles What's better at this time of year than snug- gling up with a fluffy pillow and blanket? Down isn't just for the bed anymore, and there are lots of stylish (and Canadian) options that are a great addition to warm up any room in your household. For the most warmth and best insulation, choose high-quality down products that keep warmth in and cold out. Look for the Downmark label, which certifies a product is Canadian made and ethically sourced, an important feature for today's savvy consumer. Find more information at downmark.org. in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 19 ,2 01 9 | 34 Angie Tsopelas (McKinnon) B.Comm Broker Merry Chris tmas Cell 416-670-4777 Aboutowne Realty Corp, Brokerage Independently owned and operated Platinum, Lifetime Achievement joyeux Noëlκαλά χριστούγεν να ABOUTOWNE Realty Corp., Brokerage. Independently Owned and Operated.