Tips to help spring into summer safely WITH THE warmer spring weather, we are more motivated to work on all kinds of projects around the home. ’ By MH. Parnu Contributing Writer Keeping in mind the following tips will ensure that any and all work will be done in the safest way, and that your home will. be safer» Accidental flare-ups are one of the Most common mishapsand taking care to avoid them will pay off. W Never throw water on a grease fire _as it will only spread it. Instead smother it with a lid or use buking soda, - ; @ Accumulated dust is combustible. Check the vent over your stove as So. a an blocked vents mean an increased chance of grease fires. Replace the exhaust hood filters regularly. @ When using a fire extinguisher remember to PASS — Pull the pin, Aim low. Squeeze the handle and Sweep from side to side, @ Store fire extinguishers in an accessible area (preferably bracketed to the wall near an exit) but not next to the aven because Names could pre- vent you from getting to it. Mi Unused fire extinguishers can lose their pressure — follow the nianufac- turer’s directions to make sure the pressure in your equipment is. still adequate, {f not, have it recharged. As you complete all those spring projects on your list, taking the time to evaluate your home and property for safety will pay off. 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Scientific studies have shown that exposure to even low levels of lead over a long period of time can also be harmful. Most at risk are children, infants and the developing fetus. Prolonged exposure may lead to ‘behavioral problems, learning disabilities” or reduced intelligence. _ That's the bad news. The good news is that Canadians are exposed to much less lead than we used to be. Federal and provincial laws now restrict fead in commercial products, and put limits on the amount aliowed . ‘in soil, air, water and canned food. Lead has been virtually eliminated from all gasoline, and reduced signif- icantly in house paints. Nevertheless, lead compounds have been used widely in manufac- ‘turing, There may be older materials in and around your home that still con- tain lead. Under some circumstances, prolonged exposure to them could be harmful. “One of the major problems is: with older houses being renovated,” says Don Fugler, Research Division, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “IF your home was built before 1980, the paint may contain small amounts of lead. If it was built before 1950, some of the -paint likely has a high lead content.” Lead-based paint isn’t dangerous, if it’s in good condition. The problem arises when paint peels or. flakes. - Renovating releases dust and paint chips, which may get on your chil- , dren’s hands and toys and then into their mouths. If you suspect there is reason for concem, samples of paint can be test- ed with a home test kit. Jt will tel) you if lead is present, although it: won't tell you at what concentration. - A certified laboratory can do a much more complete analysis. *, ie Aprit 22 & 23rd, 10 am-4 pm Join us for our Master Gardener Clinic, with professionals on hand -from Van Dusen Gardens to answer all your gardening concerns & offer : helpful hints. _ Everyone is welcome! your shoes at the door.” “If paint is in good coridition, and isn’t located where children might...” chew on it, ‘such’ as on ‘a. window» ledge, then leave it. If it's deteriorat- ing, don't just repaint it. You can. encapsulate, replace, or -remove . it Encapsulation means covering old. * paint with drywall or panelling. This is obviously not a permanent :: solu-. tion, but it’s often the easiest, least. expensive and safest remedy, espe- ‘ cially for walls and ceilings.» - 020" Doors, windows,’ mouldings,’ . baseboards and other. trim’ can‘ be replaced with fixtures that are Jead- free. Be careful not to disturb paint when removing these items, The next | option, removing the paini, is poten-*- tially the most hazardous. Strict safe- ty precautions are required, so learn the safety procedures and ensure that ~ they are followed by a qualified pro-.. fessional. ;; “Lead: is also tracked into the house from surrounding . property,” says Fugler.. “But ‘one -U.S.. study: found you can reduce up to 80% of lead carried into your home fiom: streets and ‘soil simply by leaving .