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Window box fire sparks warning about dry peat moss, mulch near homes
Window box fire sparks warning about dry peat moss, mulch near homes

CBC

time7 days ago

  • Climate
  • CBC

Window box fire sparks warning about dry peat moss, mulch near homes

Social Sharing Michelle Smith-March never imagined the flower box outside her Antigonish County home could nearly burn it down. On a hot June afternoon, Smith-March was away at work. Her husband, Wayne, was doing some yard work when he spotted flames climbing up their siding. "He immediately ran inside and grabbed the fire extinguisher," Smith-March said. "He's a former firefighter, so we always have an up-to-date fire extinguisher, thank goodness, in the house. So he grabbed that and ran outside and put it out." She had no idea how the fire started, as there was no smoking, no fire pit, and nothing electrical near the window box. After searching online she learned that dry peat moss can catch fire. The couple had used peat moss in their wooden window boxes for six years without issue. But after an unusually hot, dry stretch, the dense soil smouldered unnoticed before erupting into flames, she said. The couple has since removed the window box and doesn't intend to replace it. "I shudder to think of what might have happened if he wasn't at home or if he hadn't gone out when he did," Smith-March said. Alarmed by the experience, Smith-March posted about it on Facebook to let other people know about the possible hazard. Robert MacPherson, deputy chief of the Antigonish Volunteer Fire Department, said he is not a fan of window boxes and doesn't recommend them due to their proximity to the house. He said while combustion in window boxes is rare for the area, peat moss and mulch are known fire risks when overly dry. MacPherson said such fires often start from cigarettes or reflected sunlight but decomposition and heat buildup can also ignite dry material. In his 39 years with the fire department, MacPherson said he is only aware of a couple of window box fires but they respond to about five mulch fires every summer. People who have window boxes should ensure they are built out of non-combustible material. He recommends limiting the depth of the soil, keeping it well watered, using smaller plants, and removing any dry or dying plants as soon as possible. Smith-March said sharing her story is about prevention and she has already heard from many people online who were unaware of the potential fire risk.

Antigonish craft brewery testing health warning labels on beer cans
Antigonish craft brewery testing health warning labels on beer cans

CBC

time12-07-2025

  • Health
  • CBC

Antigonish craft brewery testing health warning labels on beer cans

Most people are familiar with the warning labels on cigarette packages. But a project in Antigonish, N.S., is piloting how similar labels could work for alcoholic beverages. In hopes of increasing awareness of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, a researcher at St. Francis Xavier University has teamed up with a local craft brewery to test warning labels on beer cans. Kara Thompson, research chair in substance use policy and prevention at St. FX, is leading the labelling project in collaboration with Candid Brewing Company in Antigonish. "This is the last stage of the project where we're actually implementing them in a real-world setting and seeing how consumers, whether consumers notice them, how they understand them and how they use them when they're purchasing and consuming alcohol," Thompson told Information Morning Nova Scotia host Portia Clark. The labels, rolling out on select Candid products over the next several months, inform consumers of the number of standard drinks per container and alcohol's connection to cancer. They also include information on Canada's new national guidance on alcohol and health, which says three to six drinks a week increases the risk of developing certain cancers, including colorectal and breast cancer, and more than seven drinks a week also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Bryan Druhan, co-owner of Candid Brewing, said he was intrigued to be part of a project breaking new ground in Nova Scotia. "It's an interesting first step," he told Information Morning Nova Scotia. "It's nice to be out ahead of it. It's certainly happened in other jurisdictions, so having a chance to be in collaboration and have some input was, I think, valuable so we were happy to jump at the opportunity." Druhan said he views the labels as being important to help consumers make informed decisions. "I think, you know, consumers are smart," he said. "They make choices every day, whether it's about alcohol or other products they are buying. So we just looked at it as an opportunity to give our consumers more information." The pilot will monitor the reaction of consumers who were initially recruited and surveyed as part of data collection prior to the launch of the labels, Thompson said. "The labels will launch for the next four months or so and then we'll follow up with those same people to assess things like has their knowledge of the link between alcohol and cancer changed, is their understanding of a standard drink better, have they noticed the label and talked about the label with peers." Thompson said information in Nova Scotia about the health risks of alcohol is sorely lacking. "We haven't done a very good job in this province about communicating anything about alcohol and alcohol-related risks," she said. "Less than 50 per cent of Atlantic Canadians are even aware that alcohol and cancer are linked or that alcohol is a carcinogen." She said the provincial government should take more of an initiative in educating the public about Canada's drinking guidelines, pointing to provinces such as New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island that have launched wide-scale public health campaigns.

Health-care providers urge vigilance as more measles cases confirmed in Pictou County
Health-care providers urge vigilance as more measles cases confirmed in Pictou County

CBC

time11-07-2025

  • Health
  • CBC

Health-care providers urge vigilance as more measles cases confirmed in Pictou County

Heath experts encourage awareness when making summer plans as four cases of measles are under investigation in Pictou County. Dr. Cristin Muecke, the regional medical officer of health for the northern zone, said there are three lab confirmed cases and one probable case in the area. "This is still a localized situation," said Muecke. "None of the cases we've seen have been a surprise. They're all connected to each other." Muecke said health authorities have been working to identify potential contacts. Public Health is asking anyone at the following exposure sites to monitor for symptoms and get in contact if symptoms start: Aberdeen Hospital emergency department in New Glasgow on July 5 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. St. Martha's Regional Hospital emergency department in Antigonish on July 5 between 10:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Muecke said people should make sure they are up to date on immunizations before any trips or gatherings this summer. "Measles is one of the most contagious infections, so we see a high proportion of people getting infected if they are unprotected," said Muecke. At first, measles can present like a common cold. People can be contagious with the disease before telltale symptoms start. These symptoms include fever, a red blotchy rash, and small white spots that may show up inside the mouth and throat. The disease is particularly dangerous for those with compromised immune systems, young children and pregnant people. Measles can cause serious health issues and in the case of pregnancy, the disease can be transmitted to the fetus. It can be deadly in severe cases. Measles is a low risk to the general public because most people are protected by vaccination or have immunity due to a previous infection, according to Nova Scotia Public Health. There have been five cases of measles in Nova Scotia this year, according to figures released this week. Muecke said there has been a high uptake of vaccinations in the Pictou County region with measles vaccination clinics in New Glasgow getting a lot of visits.

Molotov cocktails thrown, fireworks shot at homes in Antigonish, N.S.
Molotov cocktails thrown, fireworks shot at homes in Antigonish, N.S.

CTV News

time08-07-2025

  • CTV News

Molotov cocktails thrown, fireworks shot at homes in Antigonish, N.S.

The RCMP is investigating two incidents that occurred overnight Sunday in Antigonish, N.S. Officers and fire services first responded to a report that several Molotov cocktails were being thrown at a home and a vehicle on Martin Street around 1:25 a.m. Police say they seized several glass bottles that had fuel in them. Two people wearing black hoodies were reportedly seen leaving the area in a dark GMC vehicle. Police then responded to a report of fireworks being shot at a home on Xavier Drive around 4:15 a.m. The RCMP believes the two incidents are related. Their investigation is ongoing. The force is asking anyone with information about the incidents, or who has video footage of the areas early that morning, to call the Antigonish County District RCMP at 902-863-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page

Measles case detected in Pictou County
Measles case detected in Pictou County

Yahoo

time07-07-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

Measles case detected in Pictou County

Nova Scotia Health is investigating a lab-confirmed case of measles in Pictou County and suggests there could be more cases, with "additional contacts who are also ill with measles-like symptoms." In a news release Monday, the health authority said the confirmed case is believed to be related to travel within Canada to an area with known measles cases. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread. Public Health is contacting people who are known to have had close contact with the case "to ensure up-to-date immunization and identify further cases as quickly as possible." While Nova Scotia Health believes exposures may be limited, it said anyone who was at the following locations may have been exposed and should watch for symptoms: Aberdeen Hospital emergency department in New Glasgow on Saturday, July 5, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. St. Martha's Regional Hospital emergency department in Antigonish on July 5 between 10:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. The release said anyone displaying symptoms should contact Public Health at 902-481-5824. Anyone who may have been exposed and is pregnant, immunocompromised or under 12 months old should contact Public Health immediately at 902-893-5820. Nova Scotia Health said the risk of measles to the general population is considered low, since most people are protected by vaccination or because of a previous infection. Symptoms of measles include: Fever. A red blotchy rash on the face that spreads down the body. Cough, runny nose, red eyes. Small white spots that may show up inside the mouth and throat. Nova Scotia had its first confirmed case of measles in May. MORE TOP STORIES

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