Page 18, Whitby F.-o0 Press, Wodnosd.iy, May 11, 1994 A HOME DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT FEATURE Be prepared in the- event ot a power outage By Whitby Hydre Although Whitby Hydre strives te provide a continuous supply of eiecticepower, there is always the risk etf an extended power interruption due te thunder- stornis, high winds, etc. The folowing is a cbecklint of do's and don'ts that wiil help you te better weather such situations. Iwo 6 Be sure that you have a flasblight witb good batteries. e Leave a, battery-powered radio tuned te a local sttion. 0 Keep a pitcher cf fresh water in the refrigerator. 0 Turn off ail appliances -- oven, refrigerater, freezer, television, computer, iren, etc. 1 If it's summer and the house bas central air concitioning, raise the temperature setting of the thermostat. If it's winter and the house has electrie heating, lower the temperature setting. % 0 Keep one small light switched on se that you wiIl knew when the pewer is back on. 0 Make sure the back-up power supply for any life-support equipment (dialyuis machines, resir aters, etc.) is working an/rprocedures are known for what te do in tbe event cf a Iengthy power in1trruption. e Hae a= i3plan to keep at least oe roem warm. * Be extra cautious if driving since trafic signals, streetlighting and warning signais and gates at level crossings may net be operating. Doe'ts e Do net open doors of refrigerators or freezers unless absolutéiy necessary. An open deor allows warm air to replace cold air. 0 D)ont plug portable generators into housebold wivring systems. It could prove hazardous or even fatal to those in and beyond the preni ses. e Don't turn on any appliances until 10 or 15 minutes after the power is restored and then turn thern on esMa atMe. Failure te wait My lead overloading which will result ir further power disruption. BOTf WATER USAGE ingulate hot wat.r pipes Insulate the first one to two metres (three to six feet) of hot water pipe frem the water heater. Aise consider insulating the hot water tank. Fix leaking tape A leaking tap at oe drop per second wastes 800 litres (175 gallons) of hot water per month. Inmost cases, worn tap washers are the cuiprit. Showers notbaths Take quick showers instead of baths. A good quality energy-efflcient sheerhedcan reduce the amount of bot water used for a shower by 50 to 75 per cent. SPJG SAFETY TEPS *Wait until yur iawn ls dry before using an electric Iawnower. e Be sure that ail outdoor electrical outiets are protected by ground fault circuit interupters (GFCIs).' 0 If you plan to erect a fence or plant trees, cali hydre befere you dig.. You could bit an underground cable. 0 Keep children away from sub-stations and pad-rnount. transformers. 0 Don't fly lutes near hydre wires. 0 When making changes te C ur bome's wiring, you must ave an inspection by Ontario Hydre. Home safrty &iP Bly Flrst Art mnSAFKIY Kopmatches and» other dangerous items out cf tbe reach of children. osso CITYý LIGHTI NG ON THE N OF THEIR NEW STORE OPENING. WE ARE PROUD TO BE A SUPPLIER TO OSSO CITY LIGHTI NG HARDCRAFT INDUSTRIES LTDI Cong ratu lates Osso City Lighting on the opening of their new OSSO LIGHTING CONCEPTS store in Whitby. CONGRATULATES OCCASIOI ARTCRAFT