It glows

NEWS photo Cindy Goodman

THIS Rudolph could guide any sleigh on a snowy evening. His home on the 1309-
block West 15th St., North Vancouver, lights up the neighbourhood. Park and -
Tilford Gardens also has a light display starting at 4:30 p.m.

Raffi

FIREFIGHTERS in
British Columbia
raised $16,673 for the
Muscular Dystrophy
-Association of Canada
(MDAC) in their 16th
Annual B.C. Fire
Fighters Raffle.
Firefighters in) North
ncouver City raised $297.
Since MDAC began: in

e raised funds

1954, firefighters have been
an integral part of the asseci
ation, They have generously
given of their time and efforr
to raise millions of dollars to
help -children, teens and
adults with neuromuscular
disorders.

Donations raised through
the firefighters and other
special events are used to
fund ~~ leading. Canadian

search -~ to find cures,

. MDAC office. in

preventions ‘and treatments

for the more than 40 neuro- --*-

muscular disorders that fall
under. the umbrella of the:
association,

Firefighters and MDAC
chapter. members acress the
province sold tickets door to
door, outside malls, restau:
rants and liquor stores in this
annual event.

The top ticket seller. was
Sherri Bartley of 105° Mile
House at 21 books sold. The
prize draw took place at the
neouy

Rain and moisture don’t mix with eleciricity

“THE holiday season is a
time for gathering
together with family
and friends, decorating
your homie with festive
touches and savouring
delicious traditional
treats.

CSA International (former-
ly” Canadian Standards
Association) wants to remind
you that the holiday season is a
good tme to practise safety
both inside .and ‘outside the
home.

Think nice, before climb-
ing ladders to hang decorations

-or plugging in lights for the
first time this winter season.
2A faulty ladder or frayed
extension cord could result in
an accident that could
avoided if you take precautions.
CSA Taternational tests and
certifies a wide range of holida y
"gifts and decorations.
_. Many. popular gift’ items
such. as hockey helmets, per-
sonal appliances, home work-
shop tools, audio-visual equip-
“ment, and decorations such as
ligt strings and rope: lights,
bear the familiar CSA-mark.
This well-known mark tells

consumers:a product has been -

Mested ta meet the require:
ments of applicable standards
“© CSA. International ofters

the following tips to help you
enjoy a sater botiday season.

indoor safety tips

8 Examine holiday light strings
each year. Discard any with
frayed cords, cracked lamp
holders or foose connections.
@ Unplug light strings before
replacing bulbs.: Check to
ensure replacement — bulbs
match the voltage and wattage
of the original bulb,

B Ensure that_bulb reflectors
are the right size for the light
string.

Look for the CSA mark on

light: strings, extension cords
and electrical decorations.
G Always cum off Christmas
lights when you leave the
house unattended. or when
going to bed.

Store lights and decorations

in the original packaging, as iz

- likely. contains manufacturer's

instructions regarding replace-

ment bulbs and details for -

proper use of the product.

Outdoor safety tips

Before working with out
door wiring, turn off the elec:
ticity to the supply outlet ‘and
unplug the connection.
@ Ensure that light strings,
cords, spotlights, ‘and _fload-
fights are CSA-certified ‘and
marked for outdoor use or wet

locations.

M@ When hanging: lights’ out:
doors, keep electrical connec:
tors above. ground and out of
puddles and. snow, as well as

" away from miecial caves troughs,"

B Use insulated . fasteners
rather than metal nails or tacks
to hold light strings in place.”
@ To prevent moisture: from
entering bulb sockets, turn the
bulbs to face the ground if pos-
sible. ‘ :
"Whenever possible, connect:
all outdoor lighting into recey
tackles protected by  weather-
proof ground. fauit~ circuit
interrupters (GFCI). A GECI*:
can provide ‘protection: from.
eieceric shock as it senses leak:
age current to ground and cuts -
the electrical power immediat
ly :

CSA International ‘is an
independent, . not-for-profit
organization « supported : by :.
9,000 members and has a net?
work of offices in Canada, the
United States and around the.
world. Established in 1919, itis
a global leader in ‘the. field of
standards development and the
application of these: standards
through : product. certification, ©
management ‘systems | registra-
tion through. QMI (a. division
of CSA: International),* ‘and =
information products...

The CSA certification. mark
appears “on. many.” products
worldwide. con