25,000 Canadians Now Subscribe to Wireless AMBER Alerts

Free text message service helps in the safe return of abducted children

OTTAWA, May 20, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) today announced the Wireless AMBER Alerts program has reached the 25,000-subscriber milestone. Launched just one year ago, the Wireless AMBER Alerts initiative allows customers of most Canadian wireless service providers to opt-in to receive free AMBER Alerts as text messages on their cell phones.

Wireless AMBER Alerts assist AMBER Alert agencies in providing the public with immediate and up-to-date information about a child's abduction, and to solicit the public's help in the safe and swift return of the child. The program is administered by Canada's wireless telecommunications industry, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and AMBER Alert agencies across the country. The service is hosted and powered in-kind by Olson.

"The wireless industry extends its sincere appreciation to the thousands of Canadians and our industry partners and ambassadors that have joined together to ensure that our most precious citizens can count on us when they may need us most," said Bernard Lord, President & CEO of CWTA. "I encourage all Canadians to invest the few short minutes it takes to register, because when a child is abducted, everyone feels the loss".

The completely free Wireless AMBER Alerts program is available to cell phone users in all 10 provinces and three territories. Subscribing is easy to do either online at www.WirelessAMBER.ca, or by texting the keyword AMBER to 26237 directly from your wireless device.

Participating wireless service providers: Bell, Fido, Koodo, MTS, NorthernTel, Rogers, SaskTel, Solo, Télébec, TELUS, Videotron, Virgin Mobile and Wind Mobile. Wireless

AMBER Alerts Ambassadors: Air Canada, Pepsi Bottling Group and Shaw Communications.

Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA)

CWTA is the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in Canada. It represents cellular, PCS, messaging, mobile radio, fixed wireless and mobile satellite carriers as well as companies that develop and produce products and services for the industry. (www.cwta.ca)

Ontarians Urged to Take Care When Opening Seasonal Homes

Ontario Fire Marshal and OPP Promote Cottage Safety

ORILLIA, Ontario, May 19, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The May long weekend is when most Ontarians open their cottages and other seasonal homes. The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are urging Ontarians to add safety and prevention to their weekend plans.

"Ontarians wait a long time for cottage season to arrive. Take added precautions when opening up your cottage or seasonal home and enjoy a safe, secure and carefree summer." - Jim Bradley, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Cottages and other seasonal homes are vulnerable to unsafe conditions that can arise over the winter such as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that no longer work, and chimneys that have become blocked. Cottages can also become targets for break-ins, not just in the winter, but also when unoccupied during the summer months.

"The OPP encourages all owners of vacation homes to take the necessary precautions to protect your property and prevent break-ins. Owners should report any and all suspicious activity to police immediately upon arrival, and before entering if possible." - Chris Lewis, Commissioner, OPP

The OFM and OPP are advising Ontarians to create a checklist to ensure that their cottages and other seasonal homes, such as cabins and trailers are safe and secure.

When opening the cottage, always ensure that:

...You bring smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are in working condition

...Chimneys and vents are not blocked by bird nests or other debris

...All door and window locks are secure and homes are properly locked at all times

Always be on the look out for strangers in the neighbourhood, people taking "shortcuts" through your property and unfamiliar vehicles making repeat visits through the neighbourhood. Record licence plate numbers and descriptions of any suspicious vehicles.

Know the telephone number for the local fire, police and emergency services, and your cottage's emergency sign number.

"Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are essential to keeping you and your family safe. This weekend, Ontarians should purchase new alarms and batteries as they will likely need replacing after the long winter." - Ted Wieclawek, Ontario Fire Marshal

QUICK FACTS

...Installing smoke alarms is the law in Ontario. At a minimum, every cottage or seasonal home must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.

...Cottages and other seasonal homes should be equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm.

...Electronics and alcohol are often targeted by thieves. Ensure that all valuable items and alcohol are secured or removed from the premises when not in use.

The OPP helps maintain the Cottage Watch Program through the Federation of Ontario Cottager's Associations.

LEARN MORE

For OFM Cottage Safety Tips
For OPP Cottage Watch
For Rural Crime Prevention Tips

Barbecue Food Safety Tips

OTTAWA - May 17, 2011 - Barbecue season has begun and Health Canada would like to remind Canadians of steps they can take to avoid foodborne illness caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Eating undercooked meat and other foods that have come into contact with raw meat can result in foodborne illnesses. Symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, vomiting, fever and diarrhea.

You can help lower your risk of foodborne illness by handling and cooking raw meat carefully.
Storing:

...Raw meat should always be stored in the refrigerator or cooler at 4ºC (40ºF) or below.

...If you are storing raw meat in a cooler, make sure that it is packed with ice and the cooler stays out of direct sunlight. Avoid opening it too often. Ensure meat products are well sealed and that ice water doesn't come in contact with stored meat products. This can lead to cross-contamination.

...Make sure to keep raw meat and other foods separate to avoid cross-contamination.

Clean:

Remember to wash your hands and other utensils, like cutting boards, counters and knives, carefully with soap and warm water before and after handling raw meats. This helps avoid potential cross-contamination and prevent the spread of foodborne illness.

When you grill:

Colour alone is not a reliable indicator that meat is safe to eat. Meat can turn brown before all bacteria are killed, so use a digital food thermometer to be sure.

...To check the temperature of meat that you are cooking on the barbecue, take the meat off the grill and insert the digital food thermometer through the thickest part of the meat.

...If you are cooking a beef hamburger, take the patty from the grill and insert the digital food thermometer through the side, all the way to the middle of the patty.

...If you're cooking more than one patty or pieces of meat, be sure to check the temperature of each of the pieces.

...Use clean utensils and plates when removing cooked meats from the grill.

...Remember to wash the thermometer in hot, soapy water between temperature readings.

...Always remember to keep hot food hot until you are ready to serve.

It is estimated that there are approximately 11 million cases of food-related illnesses in Canada every year. Many of these illnesses could be prevented by following proper food handling and preparation techniques.

For more information on food safety tips while barbecuing, please visit:

Government of Canada's Barbecuing Food Safety Tips

Government of Canada's Food Safety Portal

Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education's Be Food Safe Canada Campaign

It's Your Health on Summer Food Safety

It's Your Health on How to Avoid Illness from Hamburgers

Trip planning and emergency preparedness key to ensuring road travellers reach their destinations safe and sound

Plan your route, prep your car, pack supplies

BURNABY, BC, May 10, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The dramatic story of a B.C. couple who made a tragic wrong turn on their trip to Las Vegas offers a startling reminder of the need for road travellers to make plans and preparations before heading out on the road. The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) recommends all road travellers make and follow a plan, and take a few other precautions that will help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Plan ahead

Chart your path electronically and on paper. In addition to a GPS (Global Positioning System) device, use up-to-date maps or travel guides which can be marked up with your travel notes. Carrying printed maps will also ensure you have access to road details at all times. Make sure all adult travellers know the route ahead of time. Plan where you'll stop or stay overnight and calculate the amount of time it will take to reach each destination.

Research your route.

Check ahead for road conditions and roadwork schedules, and scan for radio stations offering local travel info. Figure out where gas stations, campgrounds and other accommodations are located along your route, then mark them on a printed map. Anyone can access BCAA's online Triptik®, a trip planning guide, free-of-charge to print out a customized map which includes details such as hotel and gas station locations along with planned construction and detours along your route.

Leave an itinerary with someone you trust.

Provide family members or friends with a copy of your itinerary and/or marked-up map. Share details about your schedule such as planned arrival times, where you plan to stop and how long you'll stay. Notify someone whenever your plans change.

Schedule regular phone calls.

Set up specific call times with friends or family so they know where you're located at all times. Try to anticipate areas where cell phone service may be unavailable. If you miss two or more scheduled calls, someone will know something may have gone wrong and can notify the authorities about your itinerary.

Carry travel medical insurance. If you're travelling anywhere outside B.C., ensure you carry adequate medical insurance for yourself and all family members in case of emergencies.

Prepare your vehicle

Give your vehicle a thorough tune-up. Get your vehicle inspected by a licensed auto repair technician at least two weeks prior to your trip to allow time for repairs. Get the following items checked: wiper blades, all fluids, tire pressure and tread, hoses and belts, brakes, and air conditioning.

Check your spare tire.

Ensure your spare tire is in good condition and properly inflated. Make sure you carry proper tools required to change a tire such as a tire iron that fits your vehicle's lug nuts, a car jack and WD-40 to help loosen rusted or tightly wound lug nuts.

Understand your GPS device.

Make sure your GPS unit works properly and is accurately calibrated. Ensure you understand how to use your GPS device by reading the manual thoroughly or contacting the GPS manufacturer or retailer to receive some training.

What to pack

...Well-stocked first-aid kit. Include bandages, gauze, pain reliever, allergy medication, antiseptic, and any other medication your family may need.

...A few light tools. Some simple tools can be used for minor vehicle repairs and can also get you out of a jam. Carry a small variety of tools such as: a roll of duct tape, screwdrivers, a hammer, an adjustable wrench, pliers, baling wire, a flashlight, a can of WD-40, and a rag.

...Emergency items. Road flares, a jug of drinking water and an emergency blanket are handy in case you have to wait a long period of time for help.

...Fully charged cell phone and car charger. Remember to pull over to a safe place to use your phone, or have a passenger place the call.

...Emergency food. Carry high energy, non-perishable, no-preparation foods that can sustain you for a long period of time.

Be prepared for winter weather. If you're travelling through the mountains you may experience winter weather conditions, despite it being spring or summer time. Carry warm clothes and boots in the cab of your vehicle or in a place that's easy to access.

For more road trip planning tips, online maps and travel books, visit bcaa.com/roadtrip. BCAA Members can also visit any BCAA location to speak with a Membership Specialist and have a BCAA Triptik® prepared and printed.


About BCAA

BCAA strives to deliver an amazing experience to its 790,000 members, providing peace-of-mind and meeting their automotive, road travel and insurance needs. BCAA is the largest organization of its kind in B.C., with $400 million in gross annual sales and a Member in one-in-four B.C. households. In addition to receiving award winning roadside assistance and insurance services, Members can also take advantage of CAA dollar rewards, insurance discounts and the Member exclusive Show Your Card & Save program. To learn more about BCAA's benefits, services and advocacy, visit www.bcaa.com.

Joe Carter's Double - The 2nd Annual Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament

Joe Carter's Double - The 2nd Annual Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament wants to double its fundraising goal for Children's Aid Foundation.

TORONTO, May 13, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Retired Toronto Blue Jay and World Series champion Joe Carter is back in Toronto to host the 2nd Annual Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament. On June 29 more than 30-top name sports and entertainment celebrities, together with the help of sponsors, hope to raise $150,000, up from $75,000 raised last year, for the Children's Aid Foundation.

"Our first annual golf tournament was such a great success that I wanted to build on our momentum," said Carter. "The Children's Aid Foundation is a great way for me to give back to this city."

Sports and entertainment celebrities who will be participating in the tournament include Charles Barkley, George Bell, Rod Black, Dean Blundell, Ray Bourque, Johnny Bower, Jacob Brumfield, Luca Caputi, Vince Coleman, Ken Griffey Jr., Dave Henderson, Bo Jackson, Paul Jones, Mike Krushelnyski, Barry Larkin, Gary Leeman, Kenny Lofton, Fred McGriff, Eddie Shack, Ozzie Smith, Dave Stewart, Trish Stratus, Devon White, Wojtek Wolski.

"Joe's been a great supporter of the Children's Aid Foundation and his commitment brings us one step closer to making the world a better place for our children and youth," said Len Gamache, President, Children's Aid Foundation. "The generosity of the celebrities and sponsors will give our communities' most vulnerable children access to programs that will help them reach their full potential."

Presenting sponsors for the tournament are TD Bank Group and BlackBerry. Supporting sponsors are Diesel, Toronto Star, CIBC, Callaway, CTV and Labatt. For a full list of all the sponsors, please visit www.joecarterclassic.com.

About Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament

The Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament will raise funds annually for the Children's Aid Foundation. Our goal is to deliver a fun and unique golf event that provides our guests an opportunity to network, play golf and mingle with many of the top athletes in the world, all while raising important awareness and funding for The Children's Aid Foundation.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, visit www.joecarterclassic.com


About The Children's Aid Foundation

Founded in 1979, the Children's Aid Foundation is a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of abused, neglected and at risk children in Canada. The Foundation works with child welfare agencies across the country to fund prevention, enrichment and education programming. During the last 30 years, the Foundation has raised over $100 million and helped more than one million children and youth. For more information, visit http://www.cafdn.org/

North American Safe Boating Awareness Week - Help Save Lives this Summer

GWSA Canoe Club photo

TORONTO, May 11, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - North American Safe Boating Awareness Week will take place across Canada from May 21st to May 27th, 2011. The purpose of this initiative is to promote safe and responsible boating practices to the estimated 16 million recreational boaters in Canada while significantly reducing boating-related fatalities. (Statistics provided by the Lifesaving Society of Canada indicate 133 people died in boating-related incidents in Canada during 2010.)

To help increase awareness of Safe Boating Awareness Week, on May 21st, 2011, boating safety educators, marine enforcement officials, politicians, media and the general public will gather to establish a World's Record Inflatable Life Jacket Inflation called Ready, Set, Inflate. On one single across North America, all participants will inflate their inflatable life jackets and record their individual events to prove the size of the initiative and break last year's World Record. The purpose of this event is to raise public awareness of the new styles of lifejackets, both inflatable and inherently buoyant, and about general boating safety practices. Visit www.smartboater.ca and go to the "Ready, Set, Inflate" link for the location closest to you.

This year we have five key messages for boating safety:

...the importance of wearing a life jacket

...the dangers associated with drinking and boating

...the importance of taking a safe boating course

...ensuring that your vessel is safe and seaworthy

...the risks associated with a fall into cold water

This initiative is promoted by the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC), a registered charity, and its members and partners from all areas of the marine community including boat and marine product manufacturers, boating education organizations, water safety and marine law enforcement sectors, www.smartboater.ca Canada's resource for boating information, Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety and the BC Marine Trades Association. The goal is to ensure that the millions of Canadians who head out on the waters in canoes and kayaks, sailboards and sailboats, fishing boats, personal watercraft, power boats and cruisers are equipped with the knowledge for a safe day on the water.

Please visit www.smartboater.ca and www.csba.ca for further information.

CN Tower Indroduces Extreme New Toronto Attraction

photo courtesy of Canada News Wire

EdgeWalk will push thrill seekers to the edge

TORONTO, May 9, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today, Canada's National Tower announced the imminent opening of its new extreme attraction, EdgeWalk at the CN Tower. The first of its kind in North America, EdgeWalk is the world's highest full circle hands-free walk on a 5 ft (1.5 m) wide ledge encircling the top of the CN Tower's main pod, 356m, (1168 ft , 116 stories) above the ground. This adrenalin-fueled experience will allow thrill seekers to walk the edge of one of the world's greatest man-made wonders beginning summer 2011.

"We think it's fitting that Toronto's newest attraction in 18 years should be at the city's most defining landmark," said Mark Laroche, President and CEO, Canada Lands Company, Owner and Operator of the CN Tower. "EdgeWalk is both thrilling and unique and will push visitors to their limits - literally and figuratively. This will be among Toronto's, if not the world's, greatest attractions."

Adventure lovers will walk "hands-free" in groups of six to eight, while attached to an overhead safety rail via a trolley and harness system. Trained EdgeWalk guides will encourage visitors to push their personal limits, allowing those who dare to lean back over Toronto, with nothing but air beneath them. Everyone who meets the stipulated requirements (height and weight parameters) will be welcome to experience these breathtaking open-air views of Toronto and Lake Ontario.

"During our 35th anniversary year we are excited to introduce visitors to the most exciting attraction in our history," said Jack Robinson, COO, CN Tower. "We're extremely proud of the records the CN Tower has held throughout the years, including our strong safety record. Our facilities and engineering team supervised the EdgeWalk project design and build to ensure that it is both exciting and safe."

Every aspect of EdgeWalk, from design, to build, to attraction logistics and operation has been developed with the utmost safety and security in mind. The entire experience will run 1.5 hours, with the walk itself lasting between 20 to 30 minutes.

EdgeWalk at the CN Tower will open to the public in summer 2011, with advanced ticket sales beginning by phone in June. Further information about tickets and pricing will follow. www.edgewalkcntower.ca

CN Tower

Defining the Toronto skyline, at a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches) , the CN Tower is Canada's National Tower, an engineering Wonder and Toronto's must see attraction visited by over 1.5 million people each year. 416-868-6937. www.cntower.ca

Canada Lands Company

CLC is a federal Crown corporation that optimizes the financial and community value obtained from surplus strategic properties no longer required by the Government of Canada. The company is self-financing and implements innovative property solutions to create strong and competitive communities wherever it operates. www.clc.ca

Spanish golf great Seve Ballesteros dies at 54

May 7, 2011 - Feed from CBC Sports

Seve Ballesteros, a five-time major champion whose passion and gift for imaginative shot-making invigorated European golf and the Ryder Cup, has died from complications of a cancerous brain tumor. He was 54.

A statement on Ballesteros' website early Saturday said the golf great died peacefully at 2:10 a.m. local time, surrounded by his family at his home in Pedrena, in northern Spain.

Ballesteros, a two-time Masters champion and three-time winner of the British Open, was as inspirational in Europe as Arnold Palmer was in America, a handsome figure who feared no shot and often played from where no golfer had ever been. Read more story at CBC Sports