Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Real Estate Growth
Real Estate prices on the south shore don't seem to be negatively affected by the current economic challenges. The Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® says the average price for MLS® home sales from May to July was up 5% over the same three months in 2008. The average single family dwelling in the province sold for $202,676. The south shore saw average prices go up by 4.9 percent to $156,216. Yarmouth saw the only decrease, dropping 0.9% to $122,848 and Highland went up the most, 9.2% to $143,366. A total of 3492 homes sold through the MLS® System in Nova Scotia from May to July 2009, down 9 per cent from one year earlier. The dollar value of these home sales totalled $707.7 million during the period, a decline of 5.2 per cent year-over-year. Interest rates are at historic lows and there's been no sign of any significant increases on the horizon.
Heat Issues
Severe and lengthy heat waves can be dangerous. St. John Ambulance urges families to watch for these signs and provide immediate first aid measures.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is caused by exposure to excessive heat and is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Some of the following signs and symptoms may be present; muscular cramps; headache; dizziness; exhaustion; cold, clammy, pale skin; weak and rapid pulse; and rapid shallow breathing.
1) Place the person at rest in a cool place with feet and legs elevated.
Loosen constrictive clothing and remove excess clothing.
2) Give a fully conscious casualty as much water as he or she is able to
drink. If unconscious, do not give anything by mouth. Put the
unconscious person into the recovery position. Monitor airway,
breathing and circulation closely.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke, a life-threatening condition, is caused by exposure to high temperatures and hot, dry winds or high humidity and poor circulation. Signs and symptoms include a flushed face and hot skin, which may be either wet or dry, a temperature of 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) or higher, a rapid and full pulse, noisy breathing, restlessness, headache and dizziness.
Unconsciousness may develop quickly and convulsions may occur. The person may die unless the body temperature is reduced quickly. To do so, remove the casualty's clothing and bathe him or her in cool water or wrap in a wet, cool sheet. Keep the sheet wet. If unconscious, put the person into the recovery position. When the body temperature is lowered to 38 degrees C (slightly above normal), cover the person with a dry sheet and keep as cool as possible.
Sunburn
For minor sunburn, place the person in the shade and apply cool water or cloths soaked in cool water. Commercial ointment or cream may be used (Caution: an allergic reaction might occur.) Extreme sun exposure may cause swelling and blistering. Such cases should be treated as a severe burn.
Burns
1) Lessen swelling and blistering, and relieve pain by immediately
immersing the burned area in cool water or by applying cloths soaked
in cool water. Do not place a burn under extreme water pressure, such
as a strong-running tap, since it may further damage the tissues.
2) Remove rings or other jewellery and constrictive clothing before
swelling or blistering occurs. Do not remove clothing that is stuck
to the burned area. Do not apply butter, ointments or oil dressings.
3) Cover the burned area with a dry, sterile dressing if possible,
otherwise use a clean cloth.
These survival tips will assist you with heat-related emergency situations but they should never be considered as a replacement for a first aid course. In any emergency situation always obtain trained medical assistance as quickly as possible.
These first aid and survival tips are put together by experienced first aid professionals from St. John Ambulance Canada.
For further information: visit www.sja.ca to download Spring and Summer - First Aid and Survival Tips
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is caused by exposure to excessive heat and is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Some of the following signs and symptoms may be present; muscular cramps; headache; dizziness; exhaustion; cold, clammy, pale skin; weak and rapid pulse; and rapid shallow breathing.
1) Place the person at rest in a cool place with feet and legs elevated.
Loosen constrictive clothing and remove excess clothing.
2) Give a fully conscious casualty as much water as he or she is able to
drink. If unconscious, do not give anything by mouth. Put the
unconscious person into the recovery position. Monitor airway,
breathing and circulation closely.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke, a life-threatening condition, is caused by exposure to high temperatures and hot, dry winds or high humidity and poor circulation. Signs and symptoms include a flushed face and hot skin, which may be either wet or dry, a temperature of 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) or higher, a rapid and full pulse, noisy breathing, restlessness, headache and dizziness.
Unconsciousness may develop quickly and convulsions may occur. The person may die unless the body temperature is reduced quickly. To do so, remove the casualty's clothing and bathe him or her in cool water or wrap in a wet, cool sheet. Keep the sheet wet. If unconscious, put the person into the recovery position. When the body temperature is lowered to 38 degrees C (slightly above normal), cover the person with a dry sheet and keep as cool as possible.
Sunburn
For minor sunburn, place the person in the shade and apply cool water or cloths soaked in cool water. Commercial ointment or cream may be used (Caution: an allergic reaction might occur.) Extreme sun exposure may cause swelling and blistering. Such cases should be treated as a severe burn.
Burns
1) Lessen swelling and blistering, and relieve pain by immediately
immersing the burned area in cool water or by applying cloths soaked
in cool water. Do not place a burn under extreme water pressure, such
as a strong-running tap, since it may further damage the tissues.
2) Remove rings or other jewellery and constrictive clothing before
swelling or blistering occurs. Do not remove clothing that is stuck
to the burned area. Do not apply butter, ointments or oil dressings.
3) Cover the burned area with a dry, sterile dressing if possible,
otherwise use a clean cloth.
These survival tips will assist you with heat-related emergency situations but they should never be considered as a replacement for a first aid course. In any emergency situation always obtain trained medical assistance as quickly as possible.
These first aid and survival tips are put together by experienced first aid professionals from St. John Ambulance Canada.
For further information: visit www.sja.ca to download Spring and Summer - First Aid and Survival Tips
Underground Power
The Region of Queens is borrowing $280,000 for the installation of power and street lights for Queens Place Drive. That's the site of the proposed Queen's Recreation Complex and the newly opened Best Western Hotel. Mayor John Leefe says Council took the decision they did not want the area cluttered up with power poles. He says the powerlines will be run underground. Council also gave approval to the Best Western to locate a sign adjacent to the right of the entrance of Queens Place Drive with the electrical connection to be underground.
Queens Council Support
Region of Queens Mayor John Leefe says a five week shut down of the Bowater paper mill in Brooklyn is not an indication the plant will permanently close. He says he doesn't understand comments to that affect by the head of the local union. Leefe says the employees can take comfort that Municipal Council is fully behind them adding the mill is an important contributor to the economy in Western Nova Scotia. He adds the company is one of the largest shipper out of the port of Halifax. The Abitibi Bowater Mersey plant will be idle from August 29th until October 4th