Keep yourself safe this winter and keep using Covid app
Remember to continue clocking in with the Covid app — that’s the advice of Katikati Neighbourhood Support area co-ordinator Di Martin.
“With the highly contagious strains that are appearing, it is very important to be able to just check with who you may have been in contact with.”
She says with the kiwifruit season under way there are a lot of trucks and slower traffic such as tractors on the road, so it is important that we all have patience while driving on the highway.
“The Bay of Plenty death toll so far this year is 16 the worst in the country. Imagine just how many people who are affected by this, police, ambulance, fire, hospital staff, parents, partners, children, friends and workmates to name just a few.
“A lot of heartache and sorrow for a moment’s inattention, possibly while on the phone or being distracted in some other way.”
With winter finally arriving and the possibility of wet cooler days on the way people are reminded to ensure they have done all the necessary checks to keep safe.
“An electric blanket should be checked before using, chimneys swept, any gas heater connections airtight (1 teaspoon of detergent to a cup of water squirted on the connections and if bubbles blow back, this shows that the
connection is loose and gas is escaping),” she says.
More helpful advice — if you have an open fireplace keep the fire guard in place and don’t dry clothes closer than a metre. And don’t overload power points as it can overheat and cause a fire. Don’t lay mats over extension cords as this may cause a hot spot and don’t use power cords if they are tightly coiled up. Put any ash from the fire place outside in a fireproof container away from any combustible material as these ashes can still cause a fire.
To set up a Neighbourhood Support group contact Di Martin at the Katikati police station or email her — ns.katikati2@ gmail.com