HOME & GARDEN Carelessness can destroy wilderness THE BIG, friendly bear in’ the ranger’s hat. His eyes are kind but worried. Few people would fail to recognize the image: Smokey the Bear. And most people can repeat Smokey’s advice, “Only you can prevent forest fires.** HOT TIPS North Vancouver District Fire Department Wo owe all know, then why is it that every year news reports say millions of acres of lovely forest are destroyed by fires that were started either deliberately or by someone's carelessness? The District of North Van- couver Fire Department reminds us thar each of us must take re- sponsibility for protecting the outdoors when we are there. When hiking, camping or driving in a forest area, take common sense precautions. If you must smoke, do so only with great care. Hikers should smoke only when they rest so that stray ashes will not drop and start a smoldering fire in the brush. Look for a large, flat rock to use as an ashtray. Better yet, purchase a small, fireproof container from a hiking shop that you can use as a field ashtray. Campers should br- ing along large, safe ashtrays cr use large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Drivers should use the car’s ashtray, and should never Mick ashes or cigarette butts out the window. Cars, campers and reereational vehicles generale a tremendous amount Of heat in the undercar- riage. Driving these vehicles on dry brush or in long grass can spark a fire. [c's better to stay on the road or look for safe. clear places f0 park. Of course, camp fires are the greatest threat to forests, If your campground does nor have fireplaces and you must build your own fire, do ad carefully. Select an area fairly free of growth. Clear the area in a large circle around where the fire will be. Avoid overhanging bushes or low trees. Build a ring of stones around the fire to control embers that might roll off. Watch the fire closely while it is burning. Never leave a burning fire unattended even for a mo- ment. Before going to bed, put the fire out, dousing it thoroughly with water or smothering it with dirt. Then stir the ashes and douse or smother it again. Use more water or dirt than you think is necessary. If you use the wilderness carefully, it will be there to enjoy again and again, by yourself, your children and for a very long time. For further information, con- tact your local fire department or the District of North Vancouver Fire Department non-emergency number 980-7575. Be prepared for storm From page 14 damage to property, Erika in- dicates it’s the owner's responsi- bility to ensure that the impact of the damage is minimized. If you are caught out in elec- trical storms, stay away from trees and hill tops and don’t play golf. If you’re in a boat, get to shore. If that’s not possibie, tie flat in the boat, or wearing life jackets, slip overboard and lie low a few yards from the boat until the storm passes. If you're at the cottage or at home, the Canada Safety Council recommends you stay indoors and don’t handle electrical appliances. Better yet, if you can do without electricity for a short time, open the main switch on your service panel. The following is a checklist for storm-proofing your home. e Install lightning rods, especially if your home is on a hill top or surrounding trees are the same height or lower than the building. ¢ Trim tree branches around your home. In high winds they can interfere with electrical power lines or fall and damage your roof. e Maintain roofs and eaves troughs to ensure rapid and smooth runoff of water away from your home. Keep them clear and make sure they are large enough to handle the job. Specializing in chipping & shredding for the home gardener Let us turn your garden refuse into soil conditioning compost & mulch 947-9772 or 922-9772 RE-ROOFING 2| CONSOLIDATED ROOFING SERVICES FREE ESTIMATES - PROMPT, COURTEOUS SERVICE © Re-Roofing and New Roofing © General Roof Repair Cedar Shakes and Shingles © Asphalt Shingles ~ 530-0817 = Amamow of the: 3 « Assorted colours be and fabrics . “Thsorted colours * Braemore, Paliser. and fabrics * Richards MF Aubrey Schneider BS FURNITURE EXPERT Did you know BC's Childre: ’s Hospital is the only acute-care hospital in the province sercarmn devoted entirely to children? Friday. August 3, 1990 - North Shore News - 15 DRIVE A LITTLE. SAVE A LOT! OUR HUGH SELECTION IS LESS THAN THIRTY MINUTES es FROM THE NORTH SHORE : ELEGANT BRASS i CEILING LIGHT : e Bevelled glass e Easy to instail wiv 119" ; TARGET Formerly 14625 108 AVENUE, SURREY 5S85- 8877 {across the bridge, right at 152nd, right on 108th) KROEHLER STYLECRAFT FROM FROM & yo "499 dtm sersrrom ° 249 CLOSED SUN. AUG. 5 OPEN MON. AUG. 6 12-5 P.M. we simply sell for less FURNITURELAND = 411 E.3rd ST., NORTH VANCOUVER 986-1361 oe