Help us get a better understanding of homelessness in our community by participating in the Lanark County Point-in-Time (PiT) Count on Oct. 7!

The PiT count is a community-wide effort to identify and better understand homelessness in Lanark County in a single 24-hour period. The ...information collected helps to improve services, inform planning, strengthen funding applications and support efforts to prevent and end homelessness.

Homeless? Be counted by visiting one of these locations on Oct. 7:

📍Lanark County Social Services Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• 52 Abbott Street, Smiths Falls
• 99 Christie Lake Road, Perth
• 33 Lansdowne Avenue, Carleton Place

📍Smiths Falls Community Food Hub
• 41 Chambers Street, Smiths Falls, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

📍The Table – Perth Community Meal
• 190 Gore Street East, Perth, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

📍LIFT- Lanark Integrated Frontline Team
Cheerful Giver, 2 Lansdowne Ave, Carleton Place, 10 a.m. to noon (12 p.m.)
Carleton Place Library, 101 Beckwith St, Carleton Place, 1 to 3 p.m.

Mental Illness Awareness Week takes place Oct. 4 to 10 and is an annual national public education campaign to raise awareness about the realities of mental illness. It was established by the Canadian Psychiatric Association and is now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and ...Mental Health (CAMIMH) in cooperation with member organizations and many supporters across Canada.

This year's theme is "Equal Health. Fair Funding. No Exceptions."

CAMIMH participates in Mental Illness Awareness Week through increased advocacy efforts and working towards a Canada where all who need mental health resources can access them without barriers. Learn more at https://www.camimh.ca/miaw

If you or someone you know is struggling, there are many resources:
📞988 Suicide Crisis Helpline 1-888-456-4566 (or 9-8-8)
📞Lanark County Mental Health 613-283-2170
📞Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868
📞Ontario 211

In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

It's Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 4 to 10 and the theme in 2026 is "Charge Into Fire Safety - Safe Charging Is a Superpower."

This focuses on our everyday charging habits to help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and keep our homes and communities safer. Use ...your charging superpower by making smart choices every time you plug in. Here are some tips:

🔥Cheap charger? Don't chance it! Use the cord and charger that came with your device or ones approved by the manufacturer. Using the wrong charger can damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

🔥Soft surface? Hard pass. Charge on a hard, flat surface like a table, desk, or floor. Beds, couches, and pillows can trap heat and block airflow, which can cause a battery to overheat.

🔥Feels hot? Stop using it. Stop using your device right away if the battery smells strange, is warm to the touch, makes popping noises, changes in shape or colour, or if you see smoke. If it is safe, move the device away from anything that can catch fire. A damaged battery can overheat and start a fire.

🔥Fully charged? Time to unplug. Unplug your device when it is fully charged. Leaving it plugged in longer than needed can increase heat and stress on the battery.

🔥For tools and rides charge outside. Charge large items like e-bikes, scooters and power tools outside when possible. Do not block exits when charging. These batteries store more energy, and fires can grow quickly if they fail.

🔥On a flight? Keep it in sight. When charging on a plane, keep portable charging devices on the tray table. Do not charge devices in overhead compartments and never charge e-cigarettes or vapes on a plane. If a battery overheats or fails, it is important for the flight crew to be able to respond quickly.

Learn more at fpw.org
#firepreventionweek #sparky #firesafety #batterysafety