Pillar To Post Recommends Summer Home Maintenance to Repair Winter Wear and Tear.
A Well-Maintained Home Can Save Thousands of Dollars
TORONTO, June 6 /CNW/ --WHAT: Tips for homeowners on checking for and repairing winter damage. Even mild winters can cause damage to a home, costing homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs. Summer is the ideal time to take care of the exterior of a home neglected during the winter months, in addition to performing annual check-ups inside the home. Without proper maintenance, wear and tear will worsen over time.

Here are potential problems and suggested maintenance:
-- Clogged gutters hold water which could back up and cause damage to the roof or walls. Clean leaves, sticks, and other debris from gutters and downspouts. Carefully remove debris and dirt using a garden shovel or large spoon. Use a garden hose to clean the downspouts. Place the garden hose at the opening and let water run through the downspout.

-- Roofs age from rain, snow, wind and cold. Make sure shingles are in good condition. Loose shingles allow shifting ice and water which will cause more damage. Have the roof inspected by a professional once every few years to identify potential leaks.

-- Wooden decks and concrete surfaces such as patios, sidewalks and driveways can be weakened in winter. Check for damage and corrosion. Look for loose nails and screws. Clean the deck and seal it. Repair concrete by using concrete caulk or a concrete patch.

-- Air conditioners may have vines growing around the unit. Remove vines and any plants close to the unit to maintain adequate air flow. Inspect the area for ants and ant mounds. Ants nesting in the unit can more easily access the inside of the home. Have the unit serviced annually to make sure that it is operating efficiently.

-- Windows and door frames may shift, causing openings that allow cool air/heat out. Use latex caulking around storm windows and door frames. Only caulk on warm dry days.

-- Home exteriors may need cleaning. Use a pressure washer if available. Washing with water and a mild detergent is a good alternative. Cleaning products may also be purchased to attach to the end of a hose.

-- Electrical outlets may pose potential fire hazards. Check for frayed wires or loose- fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service.

-- Furnace filters accumulate dirt and dust throughout the seasons. Clean and/or replace the furnace filter.

Mayor joins provincial government to celebrate seniors
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2006/05/c9846.html

TORONTO, June 5 /CNW/ - The Mayor's Roundtable on Seniors hosted its second annual celebration of Seniors' Month today in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The event celebrated the ongoing contribution that seniors make to a healthy and vibrant city of Toronto. A keynote address, on the theme of "Seniors in Action," was given by community activist Fiona Nelson,
followed by a short speech by Odino Soligo, 85-year-old world record long distance runner.

Displays and information sessions offered seniors an opportunity to learn more about the government and community services that are available to support  them. Mayor David Miller and the Hon. Jim Bradley, Minister Responsible for Seniors, spoke at the reception this afternoon following the keynote address.

"Today we celebrate the achievements and contributions of seniors to the City of Toronto," said Mayor David Miller. "But today's event is also about making services more accessible to seniors. All three orders of government must work closely with our community partners to co-ordinate services that enhance the quality of life for all seniors in this city."

"Seniors' Month is our way of giving back, of acknowledging and thanking seniors for their tremendous contributions to their families, communities and our great province," said Jim Bradley, Minister Responsible for Seniors. "I encourage everyone to reach out to an older relative, neighbour, friend or colleague and thank them for making Ontario one of the best places in the world in which to live."

The event is presented by the Mayor's Roundtable on Seniors, chaired by Councillor Gay Cowbourne. The Roundtable has provided a critical forum for all three orders of government and the community to come together to improve the quality of life for seniors in Toronto.

Hygienists urge Canadians to brush, floss, rinse for healthy mouths, healthy bodies this Gingivitis Week Research-based Call-to-Action issued for the third Gingivitis Week, June 5-11

TORONTO, June 5 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is marking the start of the third annual Listerine Gingivitis Week with the release of their first Call-to-Action for all Canadians to improve their oral health for optimum overall health. "More than fifty per cent of Canadians currently have gingivitis-inflammation of the gums caused by a plaque build-up in the mouth," says CDHA Executive Director Susan Ziebarth. "Gum disease, or periodontitis, develops from pre-existing gingivitis, and recent research suggests periodontitis may be potentially linked to other systemic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and pre-term, low birth weight babies.

Gingivitis is both preventable and reversible and is therefore an important health topic to address now." Based on a special series of four comprehensive position papers being published by the CDHA in the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene, the Call-to-Action not only encourages Canadians to improve their oral health, but it provides them with both the motivation (potential oral-systemic health links) and the specific means for doing so - regular oral health checkups, brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an essential oil antiseptic mouthrinse .

Gingivitis: Silent symptoms, serious potential "The early stages of gingivitis are often painless so it's easy for people to ignore the symptoms," says dental hygienist and CDHA member Evie Jesin. "But it's extremely important not to. Healthy gums do not bleed. This may be a sign that you have gingivitis, and it's time people take this condition more seriously. They need to act now to reverse the effects, since this could reduce the potential to progress to other gum diseases such as periodontitis."

As highlighted in the Call-to-Action, research is continuing to show potential links between oral health and chronic systemic conditions. After reviewing the science, the CDHA is hoping to give Canadians the motivation they need to take immediate steps to reduce and prevent gingivitis. But motivation is only half the battle. "Once Canadians know why they should act, the Call-to-Action shows them how they can maintain good oral health as part of overall health," says Ziebarth. "A hygienist's job is to provide patients with an oral hygiene routine that works for them. With this Call-to-Action, hygienists can now make patient-tailored recommendations that are not only backed by science, but also give their patients options to ensure maximum compliance to their recommended routine."

Brush, floss, rinse away gingivitis The series of position papers on brushing, flossing, rinsing, and oral-systemic links will run from May to December in the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene, the official publication of the CDHA. "As a dental hygienist and an oral hygiene instructor, flossing is and continues to be the gold standard for plaque removal between teeth," says Jesin. "However, the reality is that as little as ten percent of the population flosses regularly, and our oral health suffers as a result."

Advisory - Health Canada warns parents and caregivers to keep small magnets out of reach of young children
OTTAWA, June 5 /CNW Telbec/ - Health Canada is alerting parents and caregivers of the hazards small, loose magnets pose to young children. A wide range of children's products such as magnetic building toys, alphabet and number magnets, science or craft kits, board games, vehicle sets, even plush toys, may contain small magnets. In addition, small magnets attached to other items, such as magnetic jewellery and fridge magnets, pose a potential problem if they become disengaged from the item. This advisory is prompted by the recent death of a 20-month old child in the United States as well as three other US reports of multiple magnet ingestion incidents and one multiple magnet inhalation incident. These serious incidents required surgical intervention and involved children aged three to eight years.

Health Canada is not aware of any deaths of children in Canada related to magnet ingestion or inhalation. Over an eleven year period, however, from 1993 to 2003, incident details have been recorded for 93 cases of magnet ingestion and 3 cases of magnet inhalation involving children under 14 years. While the majority of cases, 57%, involved children under three years of age, who tend to put things in their mouths, the hazard may also be relevant for older children who still mouth objects.

In addition to the choking hazard presented by small magnets, if a child ingests more than one magnet over a short period of time and these pass beyond the stomach, the magnets can then attract one another while travelling through the intestines. When this happens the intestines can become blocked, and the magnets can slowly tear through the intestinal walls. The results can be very serious and even fatal. Magnetic building toys may be particularly dangerous because the magnetic pieces are often small and the magnets are very strong.

Below are tips to avoid such incidents:

- Keep products with small magnets out of the reach of young children. Also, look for any small magnets that may have been separated from toys and other products and immediately remove the magnets from the reach of young children.

- Seek immediate medical care for any child who has swallowed, or is suspected of having swallowed, one or more magnets.

- Follow the safety warnings and manufacturer's age recommendations on children's toys, and keep toys intended for older children out of the reach of younger children.

- Children under three years of age frequently mouth objects -- small toys, small balls or small loose toy parts are dangerous choking, ingestion and inhalation hazards to children at this vulnerable stage -- they must be kept out of reach. Similarly, keep small household items such as coins, magnets, batteries, pen caps, paper clips and jewellery out of the reach of young children. Know how your child plays -- this guidance can apply to some older children who may still frequently mouth objects.

For more tips on choosing and using toys safely, visit Health Canada's
Toy Safety Tips web page.

(http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/toy_safe-jouet_secur_e.html)