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October 2021
Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Fall Home Improvement Tips Natural Gas Fire Pit Care Adding a natural gas fire pit to your outdoor living space is a convenient way to enjoy the ambience of an outdoor fire without the dangers of burning wood. But just because you’re using gas doesn’t mean you’re in the clear concerning safety. Follow these tips to keep your gas fire pit burning free of hazards. Before buying a fire pit: - Do your research to ensure the gas fire pit you’re considering will be suitable for the location where it will be installed and operated. Safe installation of your fire pit: - Ensure the location you’re planning is well away from adjacent walls, building overhangs, and clear of low-hanging branches or power lines overhead. - A gas fire pit must be installed on a non-combustible surface, meet heat and ventilation requirements, and in an area free of combustible products, materials and debris. - A natural gas fire pit must only be installed by a licensed gas fitter who will obtain a permit, ensure it is installed and operates safely, complies with code requirements and the manufacturer’s installation instructions. - Once your natural gas fire pit is installed, contact Manitoba Hydro for an inspection. Safe operation of your fire pit: - It is a requirement of the licensed gas fitter to review the safe operation of the unit with you. • Natural gas fire pits must only be operated outdoors in well-ventilated areas to prevent a fire hazard and risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. - Never leave a gas fire pit unattended while it’s burning and keep children a safe distance away. - Do not use your fire pit for cooking unless it is approved for this purpose. - Do not line the fire pit with tin foil or put anything into the pit that isn’t approved by the manufacturer. Rocks, glass and simulated logs should be fire-pit approved. - Dirt, debris, spider webs and bugs can find their way into the unit that may affect its operation and safety. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to regularly clean and maintain your fire pit and use a recommended cover when it’s not in use. Visit hydro.mb.ca/safety for more information.
Keep Your Yard Clean As High Number of Black Bears This Fall
It’s recommended to keep attractants contained such as garbage, compost, human food and pet food to avoid any kind of contact. Submitted photo
By Angelique Forest As we welcome the fall season black bears begin to prepare for the winter. They are more likely to be seeking food, especially with natural food shortages in some areas. Bears may be more likely to enter communities in search of food, often associating humans with garbage and food. Once they have found food once, they are likely to return which can put both the bear and the people involved at risk. Being wildlife smart is more important than ever after the increased number of sighting reporting this season. Even though black bears are timid animals fearing human
interactions, repetitive close contact with humans often means relocating the animals, which can be traumatizing. It’s recommended to keep attractants contained such as garbage, compost, human food and pet food to avoid any kind of contact. Judy Stearns, who runs the charitable organization, Manitoba Bear Rehabilitation Centre Inc. also know as Black Bear Rescue Manitoba said bear sightings have increased in Manitoba this year. One of the reasons she thinks people are seeing more bears is the drought, which is forcing bears to wander looking for food and water. “Bears are on the move, going to places where they normally don’t go,” said Stearns. “So we are having sightings of bears where they aren’t normally seen.”
Experts recommend that you never approach or feed a bear or any other wild animal; that you leash dogs when walking outside to reduce the risk of it harassing a bear, being attacked by one or leading a bear back to the dog’s owner; that you remove ripened or fallen fruit daily and do not allow it to rot on the ground; and finally remove bird feeders from April to November to do your part in respecting bears while living in harmony alongside them. To donate or for more information on Black Bear Rescue Manitoba or if you find a black bear cub that you believe has been abandoned or orphaned, call 204-461-4320 or contact them online at facebook. com/bearrescuemanitoba as soon as possible.
Is it Time for a Trim? Trees add beauty, shade and value to our homes but it’s important for homeowners to keep their trees from growing too close to power lines and other electrical equipment. Here’s why: - Tree limbs that come down during storms or high winds can bring power lines down with them. Not only does this cause a power outage, it creates a severe safety hazard by bringing energized power lines to the ground. - Tree branches that touch power lines can also cause a fire and could electrocute anyone who touches the tree.
Before trimming or removing a tree: - Check the area for power lines. Keep yourself, your equipment and all parts of the tree at least 3 metres away from the power line. - If you have a tree in your yard that is touching a power line, don’t attempt to prune or remove it yourself. Trees are conductors of electricity and a shock could be fatal. - Only qualified arborists are permitted to trim trees that are near power lines. They use specialized tools and bucket trucks that do not conduct electricity. - If any part of the tree or hedge is within 3 metres of a power line, call Manitoba Hydro.
Before planting a tree or shrub: - Tree trimming safety should begin during the planning stages of your landscaping. - Before you plant, look up. If it appears that your tree will eventually grow into or touch an overhead power line, find a location that will not cause problems in the future. See Right Tree – Right Place at hydro. mb.ca to help choose the right plants and make good long-term landscaping decisions. - If you see a tree that is too close to a power line, report it to Manitoba Hydro at 204-480-5900 or 1-888MB-HYDRO (1-888-624-9376). Visit hydro.mb.ca/safety for more information.