Page 24 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 136

24 Issue #136 May 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

Cornwall Fire Services with Deputy Chief Leighton Woods

ow that the snow has melted and spring has finally arrived, you should be looking at cleaning your
Nsurroundings. Doing so has many positive impacts — chief among them is fire safety.

Even before you take out your garbage bags and start thinking of donating some of the things you’ve accumulated over the
years, (like that gift your relative gave you that you still haven’t taken out of the box), you should take the time to check your
smoke alarms and — if you have them — your carbon monoxide alarms.

Make sure to replace batteries immediately if they are dead — and don’t wait a few days before doing it. It’s important! Replace
entire units for smoke alarms more than 10 years old, or CO alarms more than 5 to 7 years old.

Next up should be filters and vents. Clean out or change the filters above your stove, as well as on your furnace. Make sure to also clear
out your dryer vents. If you don’t, it could become a fire hazard.
You should also pull out your fridge and dust or vacuum the coils. Before you do though, make sure to unplug it — no one wants a shocking surprise.
Now that you’ve checked your detectors and cleaned or replaced your filters, you can tackle what’s been sitting in your basement for way too long.
Hazardous materials — like paint and other chemicals — can be safely dropped off at the Cornwall Landfill’s Hazardous Material Depot for free! Bet
you didn’t know that.
Old newspapers, magazines, or anything that can be combustible, should also be promptly recycled. You should also always make sure that no clutter
is blocking any room. In case of a fire, the last thing you want to do is move your old couch or climb over boxes of your old aunt’s tax returns from the
1970’s.
The cleaning shouldn’t only be inside though. Remove leaves and trash from carports and garages. Combustible materials are dangerous if they are
exposed to heated automobile components, especially under vehicles.
Check to make sure that no animal friends have decided to nest in any of the outdoor electrical outlets of appliances.

Lastly, practice your home escape plan so everyone in the household knows what to do in a fire. Windows should be checked to ensure they open and
close properly in case they are needed as an exit. Clean out stairs and landings so they are accessible during an evacuation in case of an emergency.

Stay safe!
Diary of a Weightlifter - Just Show Up

By Thorin Gault
ometimes in sports and life, withdrawn. While my total was the lowest I
Syou just have to show up, I am really happy that I didn’t. have made in competition in a
even when not at your best. Something special happens when long time, it easily qualified me

Last weekend I competed and you put yourself into situations for the national championship,
gave me a gold medal, and was
officiated at an excellently run where you MUST commit. You good enough to be the overall 4th
Ontario Masters Championship learn things about yourself that best lifter amongst all ages and

in Midland, Ontario. For a variety you cannot learn in any other way. weight classes.
of reasons, my training had been I chose opening attempts that
a challenge over the past several were lower than anything I had More importantly, this
months. It was the least prepared I done in many years. I set out a competition got me back on track.
have felt going into a competition plan that, if successful, would I fell in love with weightlifting
in twelve years. I was joking have me hitting numbers on my again. I had a blast lifting with,
with people that my goal was to final attempts that were greater and hanging out with, my
just not embarrass myself on the than anything I have made since weightlifting friends. I can’t wait
platform. To be honest, if it was last summer. for my next training cycle and

not for needing to post a total to competition.
I stuck to the plan and went 6
qualify for the Canadian Masters Sometimes you just have to
in July, I probably would have for 6 – making all of my attempts. show up.