Latest news with #safety
CTV News
40 minutes ago
- CTV News
‘Inherent risks to all parts of the river': Officials urge caution while floating the Bow and Elbow
This weekend kicks off the busiest time of year for aquatic rescues in Calgary, and officials want anyone floating the Bow or Elbow to be extra cautious. As July approaches, the Calgary Fire Department water rescue team is expecting a busy month ahead. Officials want anyone floating the Bow or Elbow to be extra cautious—wear a life jacket and don't drink or smoke cannabis. 'It's not top of mind for a lot of people, so that's why every year we want to remind people about the dangers,' said Carol Henke, public information officer for the Calgary Fire Department. Aquatic safety experts say the Bow and Elbow rivers, even during summer heat, can see flow and temperature variations very quickly. 'There's inherent risks to all parts of the river,' said Alex Kwan, community safety officer for the Calgary Fire Department. Kwan says the busiest stretch of the Bow River begins at the Shouldice boat launch and goes through to Harvie Passage in Inglewood, especially where there are bridge crossings. 'What we see is people get into trouble by getting pushed by the current against any of the bridge pillars,' said Kwan. The risks on the water are high. Since 2016, there have been 29 fatalities. Last July, there were four deaths on the water—higher than the average. Wearing a life jacket is not only life-saving—it's the law. Failure to wear one could result in a $500 fine. This weekend kicks off the busiest time of year for aquatic rescues in Calgary, and officials want anyone floating the Bow or Elbow to be extra cautious. This weekend kicks off the busiest time of year for aquatic rescues in Calgary, and officials want anyone floating the Bow or Elbow to be extra cautious. Calgary police say booze and cannabis should only be consumed where it's safe and legal on dry land. 'We don't want to see any tragedies. We've seen enough in the past,' said Acting Insp. Kurt Jacobs. There will be an increased presence of police and peace officers along the shoreline, not just for enforcement, but also for education. 'We want you to have fun on the waterways, but we want you to be safe and we want you to get home at the end of the day,' said Acting Sgt. Mark Smith. Emergency officials recommend having a plan. The rules on the water are the same as on the road. Alcohol or cannabis consumption is not allowed. If you are impaired, you can be charged—just as you would as an impaired driver behind the wheel. Police officers say not everyone might be aware of this.
CTV News
an hour ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Tornado warning for Hanover-Dundalk-southern Grey County
Environment Canada is tracking a severe thunderstorm Friday evening that could produce a tornado in the Hanover-Dundalk-southern Grey County area. (File) A tornado warning is in effect for Hanover-Dundalk-southern Grey County. Environment Canada says extra care and attention should be exercised in these locations. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado and wing gusts up to 100 km/h is moving through the area. Locations impacted include Dundalk, Varney, Holstein, Yeovil, Maple Lane and Hopeville. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Bear attacks surge in Japan but influencers willing to risk danger for social media fame
Police in Japan have issued warnings after three men were injured and one killed in separate bear attacks this week, amid growing alarm not only over the rising number of encounters but also over social media influencers who court danger by seeking out bears to boost their online profiles. A 46-year-old man was killed on Sunday in a forest close to the town of Omachi in Nagano prefecture as he was collecting bamboo shoots. A man who was with him called the police after he was bitten on his arm. But it was too late for his friend, who had been clawed in the face and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. On Thursday, two forestry workers were attacked by a bear in Agematsu, also in Nagano prefecture, as they were spraying deer repellent in a forest. One of the men was bitten in the face, while the other had bites and scratches on his leg as he tried to scare the animal away. There have been other incidents involving bears coming unusually close to human habitation. On Thursday, Yamagata Airport cancelled 10 flights after a bear broke through the perimeter fence and was spotted wandering around close to the runway. Local hunters were not successful in trapping the creature. Two schools in Goshogawara, Aomori prefecture, also had to cancel their joint sports day on Sunday and move it inside a gymnasium after four bears were sighted in the vicinity in the days leading up to the event, the local education authority told the Yomiuri newspaper. Screengrab from a dashcam camera as a bear runs across the road on June 17 in Hokkaido. Photo: Hokkaido Prefectural Police Police in Hokkaido issued a warning to motorists on June 17 after a large bear broke out of a forest alongside a road and collided with a car being driven by a woman close to the town of Kushiro. They also cautioned anyone going into the mountains to pick wild vegetables to take precautions, such as making loud noises to warn bears of their approach and carrying bear spray.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Survivors of Lake Tahoe boating disaster credited for life-saving decision after 'freak storm' killed eight
The two survivors of the deadly Lake Tahoe tragedy that claimed eight lives were wearing life jackets at the time of their rescue. Ten boaters abroad a 27-foot gold Chris-Craft vessel set out the California side of Lake Tahoe last weekend, eager to enjoy a sun-drenched day on the water for a 71st birthday celebration. But the day turned fatal when a sudden, powerful storm erupted over the lake - unleashing eight-foot waves, pounding hail and torrential rain - that struck without warning and ultimately capsized their boat, claiming eight lives. The victims of the disaster were identified as: Paula Bozinovich, 71, Terry Pickles, 73, Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, Peter Bayes, 72, Timothy O'Leary, 71, Theresa Giullari, 66, James Guck, 69 and Stephen Lindsay, 63. However, the two unidentified individuals who survived the tsunami-like storm were revealed to be wearing life jackets when rescued, before being transported to a local hospital, according to a Facebook post from the Washoe County Sheriff's Hasty Team. 'The most common mistake boaters make it not being aware of the forecasted weather,' BM1 Justin Smith, executive petty officer of Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 'Life jackets being worn continue to be the primary survivability factor,' he added. On the morning of June 21st, the conditions outside were perfect for a carefree weekend outing - clear skies, gentle breezes and steadily rising temperatures. Despite a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms - a common occurrence for seasoned boaters - hundreds still took to the water that day. But something shifted around 2pm - some boaters spotted whitecaps forming on the water, while others noticed the wind suddenly picking up, blowing fiercely from the north, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. From that moment, conditions deteriorated rapidly, transforming a calm day into a desperate race against time and nature - as eight-foot waves, 30-knot winds, snow and hail engulfed the lake within just minutes. 'It felt like we were in a tsunami that was starting,' Brittany Glick, who was on a nearby pontoon celebrating a bachelorette party, told NPR. 'I had never experienced anything like that.' 'It happened suddenly. The water was just screaming toward the shore,' Ms Brigantino, who was visiting the lake with friends, told BBC. 'It was bad.' Some vessels broke free from their moorings, while others sank or crashed into nearby piers. Several buoys were also washed ashore, according to the LA Times. Before many could reach shore amid the chaos, several boats capsized - hurling passengers into the raging, churning waters. At around 3pm, multiple people reported seeing a group in the water after their boat met the same fate - all while waves in the area at the time were around eight-feet high, according to a news release from the El Dorado Sheriff's Office. Both the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard swiftly responded to the shores of D.L. Bliss State Park, where they successfully rescued two individuals wearing flotation devices. 'Weather in the Tahoe Basin can be unpredictable and change quickly,' Smith warned boaters while speaking with Fox News. 'Mariners should be hesitant to operate in conditions where wind advisories or small craft advisories have been issued,' he added. A massive search-and-rescue operation involving multiple agencies was quickly launched to locate the remaining boaters, including North Tahoe Fire, California State Parks, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, and the United States Coast Guard. The recovery operations also required advanced divers and specialized teams, including Wilderness Finder Search Dog Teams. Six bodies were recovered on the surface of the water near the capsized boat shortly after the storm, according to the Facebook post. The following day, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office responded to a request from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office to assist in recovering the two remaining victims. An extensive underwater search was conducted by the Washoe County's Search and Rescue Hasty Team, the Specialized Vehicle Unit aboard Marine 10 and the Marine 9 crew, the department wrote. Both the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard swiftly responded to the shores of D.L. Bliss State Park, where they successfully rescued two individuals wearing flotation devices The search employed the team's Outland 1000 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), equipped with multiple cameras, lights, onboard sonar, and an articulating claw - capable of diving to depths of up to 2,000 feet. That afternoon, a seventh victim was found at a depth of over 300 feet. Then, on Monday afternoon, the final missing boater was discovered deceased at a similar depth, bringing the death toll to eight, according to the department. 'The success of the search and recovery operations would not have been nearly as efficient without the assistance of our partner agencies,' the sheriff's office said. Among those who lost their lives was 37-year-old DoorDash executive Josh Pickles, along with his parents - 73-year-old Terry Pickles and 71-year-old Paula Bozinovich, ABC 7 News reported. Pickles' wife had stayed home taking care of their seven-month-old daughter at the time of the disaster, according to Fox News. The group was celebrating his mother's 71st birthday on Lake Tahoe. Two other victims were also from California: Josh Pickles' uncle, 72-year-old Peter Bayes, and 71-year-old Timothy O'Leary. The three remaining victims - 66-year-old Theresa Giullari, 69-year-old James Guck and 63-year-old Stephen Lindsay - were visiting from New York. 'These individuals were part of a closely connected family group enjoying a birthday gathering on the lake,' the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said in a June 24 statement. 'We extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost and all those who have been affected by this tragic event.' But even boaters who managed to reach shore during the storm weren't out of danger - many suffered after falling into the frigid water, which remained below 60 degrees throughout the day, LA Times reported. 'There was just a massive amount of people that were in hypothermia or shock,' Joby Cefalu, a lifelong Tahoe boater, told the outlet. 'It was just a tragic day on Lake Tahoe.' Last weekend's tragedy is believed to be the deadliest boating incident in the Golden State since 2019, when a 75-foot boat caught fire and sank near Santa Cruz Island, killing 34 people.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
6 Times You Should Never Use an Extension Cord, According to Electricians
Before using an extension cord, make sure you're using it safely and within its specifications. Refrain from using extension cords to power devices and appliances with significant power demands. Don't use extension cords as permanent wiring solutions or place them under rugs or you're just now learning that there are times you should never use an extension cord, consider yourself lucky that you didn't learn your lesson the hard way. Using an extension cord when you shouldn't can result in damage to electrical devices and appliances, as well as posing a major safety risk to the user. Below, we've spoken to professional electricians about the six times you should never use an extension cord and why, to take the guesswork out of safely powering your devices and Hodnicki is a master electrician at Electrical Experts. Ryan Gregor is the owner and head electrician at RCG appliances require a lot of power for operation, including but not limited to the following: Microwaves Refrigerators Dryers Air conditioners Space heaters Tim Hodnicki, master electrician at Electrical Experts, explains that this high power draw can overload an extension cord, which may not be rated for the power load. He warns that overloading an extension cord can lead to overheating and even result in you must use an extension cord temporarily to power a device with high power demands, make sure you're using a low-gauge extension cord that can handle the power more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more! Most standard extension cords are not rated for outdoor use, especially in wet environments. However, just because there's no rain in the forecast doesn't mean you're in the clear, as temperature and UV damage are both a concern. "Even if they look fine, they can crack or short out," Ryan Gregor, owner and head electrician at RCG Electrical, says. "I've had to replace cords that stopped working after just one season outdoors because they weren't rated for the weather." Hodnicki explains how standard indoor cords are not built to withstand moisture or the temperature fluctuations that can cause insulation to break down. He warns that using an indoor extension cord outdoors can cause electrocution or short-circuiting. While an extension cord getting hot is a bad sign, it's not uncommon for an extension cord to get warm to the touch when in use. Normally, the extension cord's exposure to open air is enough to dissipate any heat production, preventing the heat from compromising the cord's integrity. This is why it's always a bad idea to place an extension cord under a rug or carpet, beneath furniture, inside a wall, or anywhere else that could trap heat and cause the extension cord to using an extension cord, periodically check it to ensure it's not getting too warm. If it begins to get hot, unplug both Gregor and Hodnicki warn that placing an extension cord under a rug, beneath furniture, or behind a wall can cause the insulation to wear down over time, which can result in exposed wiring and pose a fire and shock risk. Charging electric scooters and other electric recreational vehicles is usually more than an extension cord can handle due to the significant power draw. Just like with appliances that have high power draw, EV chargers can draw more power than an extension cord can safely provide, leading to overheating and fire risk. In some cases, it can even damage the charger. If you're powering something over a distance that requires multiple extension cords plugged into one another, you should find another solution. Extension cords are only designed to safely carry power over their distance. "Connecting one [extension cord] to another to extend their reach increases resistance and voltage drop, and it's very easy to exceed the amperage rating," Hodnicki explains. "I would advise using a single cord of the correct length and gauge for the task or assess whether the job calls for a proper outlet installation instead of a temporary workaround." Extension cords are only intended for brief use and should never be used as permanent power solutions, as they simply aren't designed for constant use. "If you find yourself constantly needing extension cords to power everyday devices, that's a sign your home's electrical system needs updating," Hodnicki says. Read the original article on The Spruce
