Don't be caught unprepared for the first blast of winter weather. Before the snow flies, have a reputable garage do a tune-up and inspection on your vehicle to prevent problems.

Brakes
The brakes must be faultless and equalized so there is no pulling to one side, which may cause skidding.

Cooling System
If it hasn't been done in a while, have your cooling system flushed out with a good chemical cleaner and put in fresh antifreeze. Check containers, belts, hoses, the pressure caps and thermostat.

Battery and Electrical System
Cold weather is hard on batteries. If your battery is several years old, have it checked. Be sure connections are clean and tight.

Engine
A diagnostic check-up of the engine can be a good pre-winter investment. If you're due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Faulty wiring, worn spark plugs, a sticking choke or emission control devices that need attention, can all lead to hard starting.

Exhaust System
Check the muffler and tail pipe system for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when the windows are closed.

Fuel System
Make sure there is plenty of gas in your tank at all times. A full tank minimizes condensation, which may cause gas line freezing. Add gasoline antifreeze occasionally.

Heaters, Defrosters and Wipers
Have them checked to make sure they are operational. Install winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. Ensure your windshield can give you clear vision of the road and traffic around you.

Oil and Filter
Dirty oil can give you trouble in the winter, so change the oil and filter. Check the other filters, including the fuel, air and transmission filters.

Tires
Snow tires increase traction in soft snow. Install them on all four wheels. All-season tires on all wheels with good treads are adequate in some regions. Check your tire pressure regularly — for every 5Ί C of temperature drop, tire pressure goes down by one pound.

Winter Equipment
The following items should cover most situations:

•	windshield scraper and snow brush;
•	lightweight shovel;
•	bag of sand, wire traction mat or other abrasive substance;
•	large box of facial tissues;
•	properly inflated spare tire;
•	wheel wrench and jack;
•	first aid kit;
•	flashlight;
•	flares;
•	battery jumper cables.

For long distance travel take extra precautions: bring a blanket, candles, lighter or matches, emergency rations, lined winter boots, hat and other warm clothes, and small heating cans.

Drive Defensively
Winter driving demands extra caution. Always be ready for the unsafe actions of other drivers and for poor driving conditions. Clear the snow and ice from your car, allow more travel time, leave a greater following distance and know how to deal with icy conditions.

Use a block heater in winter when the temperature drops to -20C (-4ΊF) or below. A block heater keeps your engine oil and coolant warm, which makes the vehicle easier to start and can increase winter fuel economy by as much as 10 per cent. Use a timer to switch on the block heater one or two hours before you plan to drive.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to make a significant contribution to the safety of your workplace. Mostly it’s a matter of maintaining awareness and following some common-sense guidelines. Here are a few principles that you can pay attention to.

Office Security

•	Wherever you work, some things should be kept under lock and key. Be careful with keys. Keep them in a safe place.
•	Institute a plan for tracking visitors who enter and exit your facility.
•	Report suspicious persons, activities, objects or packages to the proper authorities immediately.
•	Don’t let anyone into the building with your access keys or card after regular business hours.
•	Never leave callers alone in the office.
•	Do not allow unknown or unexpected service personnel free access to your office space.
•	Never allow anyone to remove equipment without checking first.
•	Contact law enforcement if you receive suspicious mail.
•	Don’t disclose confidential information to a stranger, no matter how important the person may seem. Always report such requests to your employer.
•	Don’t take packages into your workplace given to you by someone you don’t know.
•	Cooperate with all security procedures at your place of work.

Workplace Violence

•	A history of emotional disturbance, paranoia or easily panicked behaviour.
•	A history of threatening or violent behaviour.
•	Fascination or preoccupation with weapons, especially those that could be used for mass destruction, such as explosives or semi-automatic guns.
•	Extreme stress from personal problems or life crises.
•	Being a loner — little or no interaction with fellow employees.
•	Feelings of being persecuted, continually blaming others for problems and failures.
•	Engaging in frequent disputes with supervisors or co-workers.

If you suspect an imminent threat, contact your supervisor immediately. If you witness an act of violence or threatening behaviour toward others, do not intervene. You could put yourself at risk. Call 911.

For Canadians 65 years of age or older, falls account for more than half of all injuries, and are the leading cause of injuries that result in a fatality. The largest proportion of these falls occur at home, and in many cases, involve stairs.

Making safety a priority helps seniors maintain their independence. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Canada Safety Council are offering these tips to reduce the risk of falls on stairs:

•	Avoid visually distracting patterns that can make it difficult to distinguish one step from another. If the edges of the stairs can't be seen clearly, mark them by painting a permanent stripe on the edge in a contrasting colour.
•	Improve the lighting on steps and stairs. Consider installing low-intensity night lighting, as well as a light switch at both the bottom and top of the stairs.
•	For steps with short treads or a high rise, keep any coverings thin and tightly affixed to maximize the tread space. If you're renovating or building new stairs, try to allow for ample tread space and a gentle rise, and always make sure all the steps are of a uniform size and height.
•	For winding or curved stairs, be sure to provide a handrail on both sides, especially where the stairway includes combinations of rectangular and tapered steps.
•	If the stair treads are slippery or in poor condition, repair or replace the surfaces with a slip-resistant, rough finish, and make sure the tread coverings are fastened securely.
•	Never place any loose rugs on the steps, or at the top or bottom of the stairway.
•	Position handrails at about adult elbow height, and extend them the full length of the stairs without a break. Ensure the handrails have a tactile indicator that warns users when a stair is coming to an end, and make sure that they're easy to see, even in low light or at night.
•	Don't place any objects on the steps, and make sure that any objects on the landings don't obstruct or distract.
•	Lastly, always be cautious, deliberate and not rushed when taking the stairs. Hold on to the handrails, switch on stair lights, be extra cautious with winding or curved stairs, wear footwear that fits properly and has a non-slip sole, and — most importantly — always take your time, especially when using an unfamiliar stairway.

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•	loss prevention seminars
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•	24-hour ULC alarm monitoring
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•	mobile patrols while you’re away
•	intercom and sound systems
•	access control for apartment buildings
•	full home automation systems

•	for all makes of alarms
•	no matter who sold or installed the alarm
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•	Base 10 partner: Thunder Bay Telephone
•	locally-based system

•	GE personal medical alarm pendants
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