Here’s what you can do.

Get informed

Tune in to local forecasts or sign up to receive heat alerts on your phone so you know when to expect the heat. If it’s available, check the Air Quality Health Index in your area since air pollution is often worse on very hot days.

Don’t wait for thirst

Feeling thirsty is not a good sign of how hydrated you are, especially in hot weather, so be sure to drink water before you feel thirsty. Try leaving a glass by the sink as a reminder, and up your fluid intake by eating fruits and vegetables with high water content like watermelon or grapes.

Keep your home cool

If you find yourself in an overheated home, activate the air conditioning if it’s available.

If you don’t have air conditioning, close your curtains or blinds during the day to block out heat from the sun, and avoid using your oven to cook. If it’s safe, open your windows at night to let in cooler air. If it gets too hot in your home, relocate to a cooler area of the home like your basement or visit an air-conditioned space like a library or cooling centre.

Be friendly

Try to plan regular check-ins with family, friends and neighbours on hot days to help each other find relief. Head to an air-conditioned space such as a home, the local library or the movies.

Extreme heat poses health risks for everyone, especially for young children, older adults and those of us with breathing difficulties or other health conditions. It’s smart to stay connected to give and receive support.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Simple ways to beat the summer heat est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Seasonal thaw

Clogged eavestroughs can cause a number of problems, from damaging the soffit and roofline to basement flooding. Ideally, you’ll clean out your eaves in late fall after the leaves have dropped and before the snow arrives. If you missed doing last season, it’s worth doing now anyway.

Your downspouts should eject water at least four feet from the foundation, and channel it away from your house. If your yard slopes towards the house, contact a landscaper to get it regraded.

Interior flooding

Inspecting your plumbing fixtures and appliances that use water should be on your annual to-do list. Check all the fittings and drainpipes for signs of corrosion or leaks.

You can also buy affordable electronic leak detectors that will set off an alarm if they come in contact with moisture. Set these up near your water tank, washing machine and dishwasher for peace of mind. There are also other smart devices now on the market that will detect and notify you of unexpected increases in water use or volume.

If you have a sump pump, you should also have a battery backup system in case the power goes out.

If you’re on a municipal sewage system, consider installing a backflow valve on your sewer pipe. This simple yet effective device will prevent sewage from entering your home if the sewers are clogged or flooded.

Overland flooding

If you live in a flood plain, near a river or other major waterway there are steps you can take to help protect your home from damage.

The first thing to do is make sure there are no cracks in your foundation. Inspect the entire perimeter from the outside, and inside if the basement is unfinished. Call in a contractor for remediation options if you do spot any gaps.

If you have below-grade windows, there are covers you can install over the window well. There are also reusable, absorbent barriers you can buy to place in front of doorways or other areas where water may get in.

Emergency prep

If you’re in an area where overland flooding is a risk, you need to be prepared for an emergency evacuation order. Make sure you have enough gas in your car to get out of the flood zone. Prepare an emergency bag with essentials including cash, your passports, insurance info and other important documents, medicine, non-perishable food, water, a flashlight and a first aid kit.

To protect yourself from any type of flooding, never store important documents or other valuables in the basement.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article How to protect your home from flooding est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Here are a few ways you can take some time back for yourself while you adjust to life as a parent.

Listen and learn

Make feeding time multi-tasking time. Turn on your favourite podcast or an audiobook, or binge that series you’ve been hearing so much about. If the sound disturbs your baby, connect some headphones or turn on closed captioning and hit mute.

Enlist the kids

If you have older children, get them to help out with age-appropriate chores. Younger kids can be tasked with cleaning their room and tidying up common areas. Give older kids some tasks that teach independence and show your trust, such as snack prep or running the laundry or dishwasher.

Up the comfort

If you’re having a hard time relaxing, try a warm bath and soothing music, or give meditation a go. Comfy clothes like soft jogger pants or bike shorts, breezy zip-ups and cozy socks can help you chill out, and nursing clothes, like the Medela sleep bra, can help you nurse more comfortably with less fuss. Nursing with one of their silicone milk collectors also lets someone else feed the baby later while you get some rest or get out of the house.

Pamper yourself

Feeling good about yourself is a great way to boost your mood even when you’re feeling worn out. Getting outside to enjoy the sunshine can brighten your spirits and provide health benefits for both you and baby. For a real luxury, consider treating yourself to an in-home appointment with a personal grooming service such as a haircut or pedicure, or even an at-home massage.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article 4 ways a new mom can take time for herself est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Eighty per cent of Canadian households own a grill or smoker, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association so, it’s important to take safety precautions.

Check out these four grilling safety tips before putting on your apron.

1. Grill outside and away from structures. Position the grill well away from anything that can catch fire – like siding, deck railings and overhanging branches. Always make sure it’s set on an even surface in an open, well-ventilated area.
2. Clean and inspect your barbeque. Remove all grease buildup from the grills and the trays below the grill. If your grill uses charcoal, make sure it has cooled down completely before you dispose of it. Before and after each use, inspect all parts of the grill for any needed maintenance or cracks.
3. Create a safe zone. You should never leave a lit grill unattended. For an extra level of protection, remind kids and pets to keep three feet away from the grill to help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
4. Be ready in the event of a fire. Even if you’re following safe grilling practices, you should always keep a fire extinguishing device nearby. Models with a spray can design, like the First Alert EZ Fire Spray, are quick and easy to use and easy to clean up.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article BBQ safety 101 est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

From childhood, our immune system matures, and we build up immunity to help protect us from many common viruses. This resilience built in youth gradually declines until around age 50, when the risk of infection and more serious complications starts to be more noticeable. As a result of our naturally weakening immune systems, older adults are more likely to face severe symptoms and potential hospitalization from infections that our younger selves could more easily fight off.

Here are three ailments you should have on your radar as you age:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV is a common respiratory virus. While most people experience mild, cold-like symptoms, this virus can be dangerous for adults aged 60 and older, and it can worsen pre-existing conditions such as asthma, COPD and congestive heart failure. RSV can have severe health impacts, including hospitalization and even death in some cases. There’s currently no vaccine or treatment for RSV in adults, but regularly washing your hands, disinfecting surfaces that are touched often, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick can help reduce your risk.

Shingles

Shingles is a viral infection that typically causes a painful rash on one side of the body or face. It’s caused by the same virus that gives us chickenpox. If you had chickenpox in the past, the virus remains dormant in your body and can reactivate later in life as shingles. It’s estimated that one in three people will experience shingles in their lifetime. Fortunately, this virus is vaccine preventable.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD is a lung disease that causes a narrowing of the airways and can progress slowly over a number of years, with most people diagnosed over the age of 40. Smoking is the leading cause of developing COPD, but there are other risk factors including family history and exposure to air pollutants.

While the cause of COPD isn’t related to immune function, people living with COPD can suffer flare-ups due to common respiratory viruses such as a cold, the flu or RSV, which can worsen their condition. Although there is no cure for COPD, there are treatment options including medication and lifestyle changes that can help to support overall quality of life. Additionally, frequent hand washing and getting your annual vaccinations can help to manage symptoms and potential flare ups.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article What older adults need to know about their health est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

If your sense of smell is reduced or you’ve lost it completely that could be an early indicator of brain disease.

The nose knows
While temporary loss of smell is often linked to having a cold, COVID-19 or a respiratory virus, ongoing and progressive smell loss may be one of the most important signals of brain health and an early indicator for Parkinson’s disease.

According to a research study sponsored by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), up to 30 per cent of people experiencing smell loss have shown brain changes associated with Parkinson’s disease – a chronic, neurodegenerative disease that affects an estimated six million people worldwide and over 100,000 Canadians.

What’s more, smell loss can happen years or even decades before traditional Parkinson’s symptoms appear, including tremors or difficulty with balance. However, studies have shown it can be surprisingly difficult to identify smell loss – seven in 10 people living with it didn’t know until they were tested.

A scratch-and-sniff test to the rescue
While scientists are hard at work trying to understand why smell loss occurs with Parkinson’s, they all agree that it could be an important part in understanding the disease, including who’s at risk, who gets it, who doesn’t and why.

There is a simple screening tool to measure the risk for brain disease – a scientist-developed scratch-and-sniff smell test, which is available to all Canadians over 60 living without Parkinson’s. The free test, which can be ordered and delivered right to your door, involves 40 multiple-choice scratch-and-sniff questions. Answers are submitted online and the results have the potential to change the understanding of brain disease.

Smell tests and the evolution of Parkinson’s
Results are analyzed by scientists and may lead to the submitter being asked to join a landmark brain health study, the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) – now in Canada. The global study seeks to enroll 100,000 participants with and without the disease, working with people both in-person and online, to provide insights into Parkinson’s disease, including the link between smell loss and brain health.

Not everyone with smell loss will go on to develop brain disease, but everyone can play a role in helping find better treatments, cures and even ways to prevent brain disease altogether.

Find out more about the smell test at mysmelltest.org/canada.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article New smell test helping detect brain disease est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Although they typically haunt allergy sufferers in spring and fall, some people face symptoms all year, even in summer. For those longer-term allergy sufferers, improving the quality of indoor air at home might help.

Here are some easy steps to cleaner, fresher air at home:

• Prevent mould growth
  Mould spores in the air can cause an allergic reaction or a rise in allergy symptoms. Mould grows in moist environments, like bathrooms. To prevent its growth, check occasionally for leaks around your tub or shower. Ensure your bathroom exhaust fan is working and consider opening a window during a shower. Allow the shower and its door or curtain to fully dry when you’re done to prevent moisture build-up. And, when cleaning mouldy surfaces, wear a mask to prevent breathing in the airborne spores and run an air purifier at the same time.
• Avoid VOCs
  Many home cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs, which are chemicals that can affect air quality. They can also off-gas from pressed wood cabinets, panelling and flooring. To reduce exposure to these compounds, avoid storing cleaning products in your living area and keep only the minimum amount you need. When using them, open a window or turn on a fan. An air purifier can also help increase ventilation without opening windows. The same advice applies if you are installing new flooring or painting a room.
• Reduce pet allergens
  Dog and cat hair and pet dander in the air can affect your indoor air quality. Pets coming into the house can also track in pesticides and outdoor allergens. To reduce these allergens in your home, vacuum area rugs and carpets regularly and consider having your fur babies sleep in a different room from you. Consider a high-quality air purifier in every room where pets spend significant time.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Why cleaner air at home might help summertime allergies est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Laundry lessons
Laundry detergent packets are small and often brightly coloured. Children and adults with cognitive impairment can mistake them for food or toys. Laundry detergent packets should be stored out of sight and out of reach, such as in a secured cupboard or on a high shelf, in the manufacturer’s child-resistant container.

Cleaning supplies
The products you use to clean your house can contain toxic ingredients. They can create harmful gases if mixed together, and the bright colours of some can be mistaken for some kids’ favourite sugary drinks. Keep them locked in cupboards or drawers and out of reach and sight from young children and pets. Make sure closures on child-resistant containers are working.

Medicine
If you have children in the house, all medicines should be stored in a locked cabinet. That includes things that you might think of as relatively harmless such as over-the-counter pain killers. If a child finds a bottle of these in, say, a night table drawer and mistakes them for candies, they could become seriously ill. If you have expired medications or old prescription drugs you no longer need, drop them off at a pharmacy for safe disposal.

Store your loose change, small magnets and button batteries safely
If you tend to empty your pockets on a counter or desk when you walk in the door, you’ll need to rethink your habits. Countless young children have swallowed shiny silver coins, button batteries and small magnets over the years. The risks range from choking to severe internal injuries, even death. Find a safe place to store these items out of sight and reach of young children.

Store your cannabis safely
If you’re a consumer of cannabis, particularly edible cannabis products make sure they’re safely stored where children can’t access them and experience a poisoning. Leave them in the plain, child-resistant packaging of the legal supplier you bought them from and store them in a locked drawer or container that is up high and out of reach of children.

(Source : Canada News)

L’article Storage tips to help prevent poisonings est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

“Many people think that kidney disease only happens to people with high-risk factors, like diabetes and high blood pressure. What they may not realize is that the disease can impact anyone, including children and teens who seem otherwise perfectly healthy and fit, making education a key to early treatment and prevention,” says Susan McKenzie, president of the Kidney Patient and Donor Alliance.

Because kidney disease can progress without any noticeable symptoms, many Canadians are unaware they have any issues until permanent damage has occurred and life-saving treatment is necessary.

For those in later stages of the disease, dialysis is the go-to treatment. It often leaves patients and families physically and emotionally overwhelmed. It can involve four to six hours of treatment, three to six days per week for the rest of the patient’s life, often with distressing side effects. This extensive treatment also uses significant resources and dollars from the health care system.

“For patients who are healthy enough, transplant should be thought about as the first treatment option, while other supports, such as dialysis, should be seen as a bridge used to get patients to transplant,” says McKenzie.

Currently, wait times for kidneys from deceased donors are four years or more, meaning most patients die before receiving a transplant.

“But most Canadians, including kidney disease patients, don’t know that living organ donation is possible, that you don’t need to be related to the recipient to be a match, or that it is even the best possible treatment for the disease.”

If you have a medical condition that increases your risk of kidney disease, speak to your doctor about monitoring your kidney function.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Kidney disease is on the rise : why all Canadians should care est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

S’mores French Toast Sandwiches

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 French bread loaf
• ½ cup (125 ml) hazelnut-chocolate spread
• 8 regular-sized marshmallows
• 4 graham crackers (1 sheet)
• 6 large eggs
• ½ cup (125 ml) half-and-half
• ½ teaspoon (5 ml) ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil, divided
• 1 cup (250 ml) pure maple syrup (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat a Coleman stove to medium-high (about 375°F to 400°F/190°C to 200°C) or fit a grilling grate over the direct heat of glowing embers.
2. Cut the bread loaf diagonally into eight ½ to ¾ inch-thick (1- to 2 cm-thick) slices. Spread one side of each bread slice with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) hazelnut-chocolate spread.
3. Top four slices of bread with two marshmallows and one graham cracker. Cover with the remaining bread slices, hazelnut-chocolate spread side down.
4. In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half and cinnamon.
5. In a large non-stick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil on the camping stove or grilling grate.
6. Dip each sandwich in the egg mixture, coating both sides.
7. Add two sandwiches to the hot oil in the skillet and cook until the bread is golden brown and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Adjust the heat to prevent excessive browning, if necessary.
8. Repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and two sandwiches. Serve with maple syrup, if desired.

(Source – News Canada)

L’article Camping recipe: S’mores French toast sandwiches est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.