Hopefully we have seen the last of the snow, wind and ice for this winter, those surprise March snowfalls are not unheard of. I guess the winters where we hardly get any snow have spoiled us. Our crews worked overtime during the last storm. Thank you all!
The National Poison Prevention Center web site has many helpful hints in preventing sickness and tragedy.one of the latest concerns that is popping up in the new is the coating on non-stick pans. What kind of shape are you Teflon coated pans in? Once the coating has been scratched, fumes can be released when the pan is used. The most common polymer involved is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known by the trade name Teflon.

Teflon flu is a condition caused by inhaling fumes from burning polymer products, usually nonstick cookware. While the symptoms are generally mild and self-limiting, they can be more serious in people with underlying lung problems and can be fatal to pet birds. Teflon flu can be easily prevented by using a few simple, safe cooking techniques.

First, inspect your cookware regularly for scratches, peeling, or chipping of the coating. Damaged cookware can produce more fumes and should be replaced. You can keep your cookware in good working condition by using wooden, plastic, or silicone cooking utensils instead of metal. Similarly, clean your cookware using detergent, water, and a soft sponge or cloth. Avoid using abrasive steel wool or scouring pads, as they will also damage the surface. Cook in a well-ventilated area, open windows, and use exhaust fans as needed. These fumes can also affect our furry and feathered family members. When cooking with coated cookware, avoid high temperatures. Coated cookware is intended for low to medium heat.
The squad just replaced several of our pot and pans due to the wearing away of the non-stick coating.

These hints and more are on the Poison cent website and many more. They deal more than medication overdoses and cleaning product exposures. Their services are free. Their phone number is 1-800-222-1222.

Pictures of our members and crew around the station and at the Polar plunge in the Habour.
Be safe.