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15 · Thursday, July 12, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com To celebrate the launch of the new Oakville Hospital campaign "It All Starts Here" the Oakville Hospital Foundation is kicking off a photo contest, sponsored by the Oakville Beaver. What does summer in Oakville mean to you? Submit your best snapshots of Grab your camera ­ summer is here in Oakville! Oakville Action -- photos, close-ups, people, social events, pets, places, nature, or culture -- to win a fabulous photography package valued at $150. Email your photos to the Oakville Hospital Foundation (tjayaseelan@ haltonhealthcare.com) between Tuesday July 10, 2012 and Friday, August 10, 2012. Be sure to include your name, the title of the image, a brief description, and where the photo was taken. Finalists will be selected by the Oakville Hospital Foundation team and the photos will be uploaded on the Oakville Hospital Foundation Facebook page (http://www.facebook. com/OakvilleHospital). The top three photos to receive the most `likes' will be eligible for the grand prize. The grand prize winner will be selected by the Photography Advertorial Editor of the Beaver and will appear in the Oakville Beaver newspaper and on the Oakville Hospital Foundation e-newsletter. Be sure to check out the Oakville Hospital Foundation's Facebook page for all details and prizes. Good luck! Protect your family from carbon monoxide and natural gas leaks (NC)-- Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America. The symptoms are similar to that of the flu, which make this poison hard to detect. Colourless, odourless and tasteless, carbon monoxide can cause health problems before people even recognize its presence. Some sources of carbon monoxide that can pollute indoor air include fuelburning appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves and water heaters that are not properly vented or maintained. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the odorant that is added to natural gas used in homes can lose its smell altogether. This problem is called odorant fade and may cause a leak in a home to be undetectable through the sense of smell. Dr. Ehab Zalok, assistant professor in fire safety engineering at Carleton University, says preventing carbon monoxide poisoning and natural gas leaks can simply be done by installing alarms in the home. "Carbon monoxide alarms using smart technology offer the best protection. Dual sensor carbon monoxide alarms which contain both ionization and photoelectric technology in one alarm can help save lives" says Dr. Zalok. Health Canada recommends having one carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. Protect your family by following these simple steps: · Install a carbon monoxide alarm on each level of your home and inside each bedroom. · Replace your carbon monoxide alarms every 7 years. · Test your carbon monoxide alarms monthly by pressing the test button on each alarm. · Change the batteries at least twice a year or when you hear the low battery warning signal. Coping with extreme heat: it's all in the planning (NC)--Don't let bouts of extreme heat get you down this summer. By taking a few simple precautions ahead of time, you can keep yourself, your family and people you care for safe, cool, hydrated and prepared to enjoy the beautiful summer weather we wait so long for here in Canada. And remember, certain sectors of our society are more vulnerable to heat illness such as seniors, young children, outdoor workers and people without access to working air conditioning. Here are some tips from the experts at Health Canada who've studied the effects of extreme heat: · Be prepared. Tune in to local weather forecasts and alerts so you know when to take extra care. · Arrange for family members, neighbours or friends to visit anyone you know or care for who belongs to one of those vulnerable groups. Visitors can help identify signs of heat illness that could be missed over the Take time to get out of the sun and into the shade to help phone. cool down · Know the symptoms of heat illness which include dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headache, rapid Reschedule or plan outdoor activities during cooler parts of breathing and heartbeat, extreme thirst or decreased urina- the day. Move to shaded areas which can be as much as tion. In extreme cases, the person may be unconscious or 5oC/9oF cooler than sunny areas. have stopped sweating; if so, this is a medical emergency · Contact your pharmacist or health care provider if you and must be dealt with immediately by calling 911 or your have a health condition or are taking any medication to see local emergency number. if your health could be at risk in the heat. People with cer· Keep your home cool. If you have one, make sure your tain conditions such as breathing difficulties, heart or kidney air conditioner is working. Wear loose-fitting clothing, block problems or Parkinson's disease are more at risk. the sun indoors, open your windows at night to let cooler air More information is available on ways to beat the heat inside. at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cc or by e-mailing publica· Avoid exposure to very hot temperatures outdoors. tions@hc-sc.gc.ca or calling 1-866-225-0709.