Be Fire-Safe While Participating in Earth Hour

Ontario Fire Marshal Strongly Recommends Use of Flashlights, Battery-Operated Lanterns & Flameless Candles

TORONTO, March 25, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - To prevent property loss and fire-related injuries, the Ontario Fire Marshal is strongly recommending that people use flashlights, battery-operated lanterns or flameless candles for light, instead of candles, during Earth Hour on March 27. On that evening, millions of Ontarians are expected to turn off their lights at 8:30 p.m. to help reduce electricity consumption and create awareness about climate change.

"While I do encourage everyone to get involved in this worthy initiative, I hope everyone will take every precaution to prevent fires while doing so," said Ontario Fire Marshal Pat Burke. "If people do choose to light candles for Earth Hour, they should test all of the smoke alarms in their homes ahead of time to ensure they are working. With an increase in candle use, there is an increased risk of fire."

If candles must be used, special care should be taken to prevent a fire:

- Use sturdy candleholders that won't tip or burn. Those with glass shades or chimneys are best.
- Keep lit candles a safe distance away from anything that can burn.
- Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
- Always stay in the room where candles are being used. Blow all candles out before leaving a room.
- Keep candles out of all bedrooms

It's the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas of the home. Smoke alarms can provide an early warning of fire and a home fire escape plan will help ensure everyone knows what to do in a fire. Visit www.ofm.gov.on.ca to learn more about smoke alarm requirements.

Woot! Bike There Feature Added to Google Maps!

from TreeHugger.com
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California

It's about time! Google Maps has finally added a Bike There feature. They've been plugging away for awhile now on ways to get directions for cyclists that avoids hills, excessive traffic, and points you in the best directions for pedaling to your destination. After a long time of lobbying by grassroots groups (it was all the way back in 2008 that we saw the petition circulating to add the feature), we finally have a thorough set of directions for alternative transportation, rounding out the walk there and public transit features.

Google's Official Blog states,

"My team has been keeping close tabs on all the public support for biking directions that's been steadily coming in, but we knew that when we added the feature, we wanted to do it right: we wanted to include as much bike trail data as possible, provide efficient routes, allow riders to customize their trip, make use of bike lanes, calculate rider-friendly routes that avoid big hills and customize the look of the map for cycling to encourage folks to hop on their bikes. So that's exactly what we've done."

All you need to do is hit the drop down box for selecting your transportation method and select "bike there." The directions generated will direct you along the flattest route, will help you avoid the busiest intersections, and will show you when there are bike-only trails or when there are bike lanes available on the roads... read more story at TreeHugger.com

No Tan is a Safe Tan

Myths about Indoor Tanning Dispelled by Canadian Cancer Society


TORONTO, March 11, 2010 /Canada NewsWire/ - Spring is in the air, along with March Break in many parts of the country. But the Canadian Cancer Society reminds Canadians that if you're thinking of getting a "base tan" by using a tanning bed or sun lamp before going on a sunny holiday, think again.

"There's no safe way to get a tan," says Heather Chappell, Director, Cancer Control Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. "Tanned skin is damaged skin. When your skin changes colour after being exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays, it's because your skin is trying to protect itself."

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It's also one of the most preventable.

In 2009, 5,000 Canadians were expected to be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer and about 940 died from the disease. Melanoma incidence rates are increasing each year. Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common form of cancer among Canadians, with 75,100 expected cases in 2009 and 270 expected deaths.

"In order to reduce your risk of skin cancer, the Society advises Canadians not to use indoor tanning equipment," says Chappell.

Myths and Facts

The indoor tanning industry has promoted false claims that tanning is safe. Here are the facts:

Myth: There is no conclusive evidence that indoor tanning causes cancer.

Fact: Yes there is. World renowned cancer research experts have determined there is a direct link between using indoor tanning equipment and skin cancer. No studies have proved otherwise. In 2009, the World Health Organization upgraded the classification of UV-emitting devices, including tanning beds, from a probable carcinogen to a known carcinogen - in other words, from something that we think probably causes cancer to something that we know causes cancer.

Myth: Indoor tanning is safe as long as you don't burn

Fact: There is no safe way to get a tan. Any type and amount of exposure to UV rays can be harmful as it is responsible for DNA damage which increases a person's cancer risk. Tanned skin is damaged skin. In fact, any use of indoor tanning equipment before the age of 35 has been found to increase the risk of melanoma by 75%.

Myth: A tan protects you from the sun.

Fact: A tan offers almost no protection from sunlight or burning. And some tanning beds can expose you to 5 times more radiation than the sun. Getting a tan from a tanning bed doesn't properly protect you from the sun.

Myth: Visiting the tanning salon is a good way to get my vitamin D.

Fact: Tanning beds are not a safe way to get your vitamin D. It is safer to get it from limited exposure to the sun, supplements and your diet. You don't need a tan to get the benefits of vitamin D. In the fall and winter, a supplement is a much safer and cheaper way to get your vitamin D.

Myth: Having a tan is healthy.

Fact: No, it's not. When your skin colour changes, it's damaged and that can lead to premature aging and skin cancer.

Our position

Because indoor tanning is especially harmful to young people, the Society believes that:

- People under the age of 18 should not be allowed by law to use indoor tanning equipment.

- Indoor tanning advertising aimed at people under the age of 18 should be banned.


To help protect all Canadians from the harm of indoor tanning, the Society also believes that:

- Federal, provincial and territorial governments should regulate the indoor tanning industry by requiring UV equipment to be registered, staff to be licensed and equipment and premises to be inspected regularly.

- UV-emitting devices should be labeled in a way that clearly explains the health risks.


To read more about indoor tanning go to: www.cancer.ca


The Canadian Cancer Society fights cancer by doing everything we can to prevent cancer, save lives and support people living with cancer. Join the fight! Go to fightback.ca to find out how you can help. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website at cancer.ca or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888 939-3333.