The Villager

The kits have been banned in Canada since 1973 because of safety concerns that children may inhale vapours from the solvents used to blow the balloons.

They consist of a solvent in a tube with one or more plastic straws for dipping into the tube and blowing balloons or bubbles.

In extreme cases, children could experience symptoms of central nervous system depression or dysfunction, which may include euphoria, hallucinations, dizziness and poor coordination of movements.

In the long run, they could experience more serious symptoms such as muscular twitching, unconsciousness and even coma.

Health Canada inspectors removed more than 1,500 kits from the CNE fairgrounds on Aug. 20. The toys were confiscated from three booths inside the fair's international pavilion area. They are identified as Products of the Philippines.

An unknown quantity of the prohibited toys may have been sold from Aug. 15 to 20.

No injuries have been reported to Health Canada in regards to the recently sold kits.

Anyone with concerns can e-mail cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca or call 1-866-662-0666.

"A school should be a place where a kid can go and feel at home," Det. Larry Straver, co-ordinator of Toronto Crime Stoppers, said in a news release. "We want students to realize we understand what they're going through, that we've been there and show them that there are options available to them that can help make their school environment a safer place for everyone."

There are three ways to send anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers: by talking (call 416-222-TIPS), by typing (online at www.222tips.com) and by texting (text TIP312 and your message to CRIMES (274637).

Founded in Toronto in 1997, Dragons Abreast is a dragon boat team made up of 100 breast cancer survivors ranging in age from 30 to 80. Its mission is to raise public awareness of breast cancer and to send a message of hope to those physically and emotionally affected by breast cancer.

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Bloor West survivor Joanna Crystal will be one of 18 Dragons Abreast members taking part in the 6th Annual Jones New York and Dragons Abreast Fashion Show.

The event takes place on the 8th floor of The Arcadian Court, The Bay, 401 Bay St.Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6 p.m. followed by a fashion show at 7:15 p.m.

Tickets are $60 each until Sept. 1 (after which they increase in price to $75 each), and are available through Wellspring at 416-961-1928.

It is the first electric utility in Canada to offer its own on-site CFL recycling program. As part of its conservation efforts, Toronto Hydro has been encouraging customers to switch to the energy-efficient bulbs. They do, however, contain a small amount of mercury that can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly. By retiring old bulbs to a dedicated Toronto Hydro CFL recycling program location, the utility will ensure 98 per cent of each bulb is recycled, diverting waste and hazardous materials from landfills.

The components of the used CFL bulbs, including glass, aluminium and brass, will be separated and recycled. Toronto Hydro will use pollution protection technologies to ensure the mercury vapour and phosphor powder in each bulb stays out of landfills.

Switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to CFLs is a simple step people can take to become more energy efficient as they save up to 75 per cent in electricity consumption costs and last up to five years.

CFL recycling program drop-off locations are in the main lobby of Toronto Hydro's locations at 14 Carlton St. and 5800 Yonge St. They are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the future, the program could be expanded to additional locations in the city.

Visit www.torontohydro.com/cflrecycling for details about the CFL recycling program.

The following routes are running bike-rack-equipped buses:

35 Jane; 36 Finch West; 41 Keele; 46 Martin Grove; 60 Steeles West; 79 Scarlett Rd; 84 Sheppard West; 99 Arrow Rd; 101 Parc Downsview Park; 106 York University; 108 Downsview; 120 Calvington; 130 Middlefield; 131 Nugget; 132 Milner; 191 Hwy. 27 Rocket; 308 Finch East; 309 Finch West; 313 Jane.

The TTC now has 43 bike-friendly bus routes. The entire bus fleet will be equipped with bicycle racks by 2010.

For details about this service, call 416-393-INFO (4636). Visit http://www3.ttc.ca/Riding_the_TTC/Bicycles.jsp to view the TTC bike rack instructional video. Visit www.ttc.ca for details abou the TTC.