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					  Snatched: Preventing Child Abductions   An 8-year-old Woodstock girl meets a stranger after school and skips off with her to see a puppy. A New Westminster man tries to lure a 13-year-old girl over the Internet. A child disappears roughly every nine minutes in Canada.As a parent, supervise your children in public areas, and never leave them alone in a car. Vet your caregivers carefully. If applicable, have your up-to-date custody documents ready. And be prepared to provide a recent photo, and a clear description (age, height, weight, eye and hair colour) to the police. The first few hours are critical.
 Child abduction headlines send a chill through every parent. However, most missing children are runaways or abducted by a parent, relative or other acquaintance.
						
					  
						Here are some guidelines to review with your children:
 
                            Never divulge personal information online, including their school, name or scheduled activities.Step away from approaching cars, even if the driver looks lost or needs help.Do not enter a car with anyone, unless planned in advance or the driver provides a secret password you’ve agreed upon in advance.Run and scream if anyone follows them or tries to force them into a car.Say “NO!” to touching or other activity that makes them uncomfortable.Always tell you or another trusted adult about uncomfortable encounters, even if the other person told them not to. 
   
                        
						Exercise Your Brain
                        						    
						  Like the rest of your body, your brain stays healthier with exercise. 
 Some suggestions for fending off Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases:
 
                      	Talk. Engage in conversations, in person and online. Write letters and e-mails.Read. Blogs, newspapers, magazines, novels – anything. Explore. Google a topic, or better yet, try other search engines. Check out Academic Earth for top lecturers. Chat with a librarian. Travel.Play. Crossword puzzles, mah jong, bridge, knitting, bocce ball, swimming…   
 
					  Keep Your Head Up, Kids (and Adults)! 
						
						While hockey players aged 6 to 60 wish they could play like Sidney Crosby, no one envies his struggles with concussion symptoms. Some researchers argue that body checking should be eliminated from youth hockey altogether.
                        
                        
						To prevent hockey injuries, wear appropriate (CSA-approved) safety gear, such as:                      
                        
                        
                        A helmet that fits snugly -- no more than one finger’s breadth between your chin and the strap.Full face mask.Mouth guard.  You don’t need to pump up your speed or leave the ice when you deliver a check. And you should keep your head up when you have the puck near the boards. 
 Hockey players of all ages also need to keep fit. Proper and regular conditioning will prevent many common muscle injuries. Focus on strengthening your neck muscles and improving your cardio. Far too many beer leaguers suffer heart attacks when they charge around the ice after a week or two of armchair hockey.
 
 This article was adapted from a Radius Security blog published April 2011.
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What's On InGreater Vancouver?
 
Terry Fox Run - Run Sites September 18
 
 Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival
 Renfrew Community Centre, Vancouver
 September 17
 
 Halloween Ghost Train
 Stanley Park
 October 7 to 31
 
 Vancouver Celebrates Diwali - see web site for venues
 October 16 to 23
 
 Circle Craft Christmas Market
 (New) Vancouver Convention Centre West
 November 9 to 13
 
 Grey Cup Fesitval
 B.C. Place Stadium and Downtown Vancouver
 November 24 to 27
 
 Santa Claus Parade
 Downtown Vancouver
 December 5
 
 Festival of Lights
 Van Dusen Botanical Garden
 December 9 to January 1
 
 
 
 Bullying at Work
 
WHAT YOU CAN DO  Name it. Abuse of power, inappropriate remarks and jokes, harassment. Recognize aggressive behaviour that goes beyond strong management. 
 Speak up. Firmly tell the bully to stop. You can ask a supervisor or, if applicable, a union representative to accompany you.
 
 Keep a journal. Record the date, time and a detailed description of each incident. Note any witnesses and the outcome.
 
 Collect evidence. Keep copies of e-mails, letters, voicemails, memos etc.
Report it. If your manager minimizes your concerns, proceed to the next level of management
Do not retaliate. Or else you may look like the bully.
 
 More information: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
 
 
 Quick Safety Tip
 
FOOD SAFE LUNCHESCold: Less than 4° C. Discard or refrigerate leftovers. Ice packs only work for a few hours. 
 Hot: More than 60° C. Preheat your insulated container with boiling water for a few minutes. Add hot food and immediately seal till lunchtime.
 
 
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