FOR PARENTS with children who spend time on their own before or after school, or dur- ing the summer, safety and security are major concerns. Here are some suggestions to help you prepare your chil- dren for being home alone. HOT TIPS By North Vancouver District Fire Department Make sure your home is secure. Check doors and windows to make sure all locks are in working order and that your child knows how to open the lock should it become necessary for him or her to get out of the house. Also, trim shrubs and bushes near doors and windows so that no one can hide behind them. © Check for fire hazards. Working smoke alarins should be installed on each level. They should be tested monthly and the battery should be changed yearly. All appliances should be in good working order. Make sure matches, lighters and any flammable liquids are stored out of the reach of children. Develop a home fire sscape plan and practise it several times with your children. They should understand that if a fire starts, they should leave the house and call the fire department from a neighbor's. (9 A first-aid kit should be stored where it can be found easily in case of minor cuts. Teach children basic first aid for small cuts, burns, nose bleeds, etc. O Compile and post near all phones a list of important phone numbers including work, neigh- bor. relative, fire, police, ambu- lance, and others you think are necessary. Your child should know his or her phone number and complete address inciuding apartment num- ber, name of apartments. and any other information that could assist emergency vehicles if necessary. 3 Spend time teaching your chil- dren personal safety rules. Play lots of “what if?" games. This will help them recognize and develop responses to certain situa- tions. O Establish some “house rules” with your children. They should be clearly stated, written and post- ed where visible. Your child should understand what the consequences will be should he or she break a rule. Topics to be covered: TV time, snacks, using the phone, or cther appliances around the house, hav- ing visitors, etc. O Check with your school for after-school programs that might be offered in your area. For your children, time atone can be safe and secure with some planning. For further information on how you can make your home safer, contact’ District. of North Vancouver Fire Services non- emergency number 980-7575 or contact your local Fire Department. Conserve water during lawn care THE FOLLOWING are some lawn care water conservation tips provided by the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD): - (3 Once a week is all you need Most lawns need only be watered weekly to a depth of 2.5 cm or about one inch. If you aren’t sure how long to water, consider setting out an empty tuna can to measure how long it takes your sprinkler to apply 2.5 cm of water to yourlawn. Step on your grass to see if it needs watering. If it springs back, the lawn is fine. ©) Don’t worry if your grass turns brewn Don’t panic if your grass becomes 4 little sickly looking. Lawns may turn brown during hot ay spells, but recover quickly in the lL. O Leave the work to Mother Nature Tune to your local weather sta- tion, radio, or television broadcast for information on the weather. If the forecast calls for rain, let Mother Nature do the watering. C1 Give flowers and veggies a good soak UBC garden tour focuses on perennials ON SUNDAY, July 24, the UBC Botanical Garden will offer a mini show and tour. The tour focus will be the perennials used throughout the gar- - den and tours will be given at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tour groups should meet just inside the garden entrance gate, 6804 SW Marine Dr. in Vancouver. The mini show will feature works of two locai artists, Janet Bengough Primmet and Craig Smith. Show hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the reception centre. Tours are included in the price of admission to the garden. The mini show is free. Refreshments are available in the reception centre. For further information phone the garden at 822-9666. ' The average flower bed should be watered about twice a week for 20 minutes during the morning or evening. Hand-watering of gardens is per- mitted all summer long, so don’t feel guilty if your beds demand a daily soak. Use a watering can or a hose with a spring-loaded nozzle. If you're tired of watering every day, consider using a soaker hose or installing a drip irrigation system. Both encourage deep root growth and help to reduce evaporation and runoff. . © Ask an expert Your local garden cenire has a wealth of information about drought- resistant plants, shrubs and ground cover. Ask for some suggestions. O Create your own storage reser- voir Collect rain water in a barre! for use on flowers and lawns. O is your sprinkier a water waster? An efficient sprinkler wiil squeeze every last drop from your drip and ensure water is distributed evenly. Large flat drops are better than a fine mist. O Sprinkling restrictions began in Ma Even-numbered addresses may CANAD run their sprinklers on Saturdays and Wednesdays, odd-numbered addres- ses on Sundays and ‘Thursdays, 4-9 : ff a.m. and 7-10 p.m. only. 0 It'll never grow, so why bother? Water is wasted on sidewalks and driveways, so make sure your sprin- kler hits its intended target — your lawn. 0 Think beyond lawn Be creative. Who says you have to have a lawn? Consider replacing grass with low-water shrubs and ground cover. Bricks, cobblestones, bark mulch, and wooden decks are all attractive options. If you aren’t ready to give up grass altogether, consider reducing the area your grass takes up and the amount of time you spend cutting. 0 Poke holes in your grass Give your lawn a breath of fresh air and a chance to absorb more water by punching small holes in your fawn about 12 cm apart. Rake in some compost and you'll improve moisture retention and reduce the need for fertilizer. Consider renting an aeration machine from your local equipment store. For more information on water conservation call the GVRD Water “3 Conservation Hotline at 436-6899. IAN CLOSET “A family owned business since 1984" CLOSET ORGANIZERS Min. $250 order sale ends July 30/94 © Custom built closet organizers ° With or without drawers © Highest quality materials ¢ Installed or Do-it-Yourself ¢ Melamine finish ® Mirror doors Elfa Baskets © Wire Shelving FREE ESTIMATE Showroom Open Mon.-Sat. 9-5 1385 Crown St. N. Van. Safety tips for latch-key kids ar mane A ei 5 PARTICIPAOCTION oud Gna The North Shore Garden Contest ’94 and local businesses ° are sponsoring the 6th annual tour of private and award winning gardens in North and West Vancouver. SUNDAY, JULY 24 Each garden's beauty and uniqueness can be enjoyed from 10am-4pm. Seven different gardens will be available for viewing - buy your tickets now to experience the-North Shore's creativity and beauty. Tickets are available from any North Shore nursery or garden store for $10 each. Call 986-0070 for more information CALL CONSOLIDATED ROOFING SERVICES FREE ESTIMATES - PROMPT, COURTEOUS SERVICE © Re-Roofing ami New Roofing ¢ General Roof Repalr ‘e Cedar Shakes and Shingles © Asphalt Shingles The in Furniture Can Now Be Yours Everyday For it * Newly Renovated ; 50,000 sq.ft. 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