Thursday, January 15, 2009

Update to Deceased Male located at Court House

The Sault Ste Marie Police Service’s Investigation and Forensic Services in partnership with the Coroner’s Office are continuing the investigation into the sudden death of a male in his 70’s that was located in the front walkway area of the Court House at 426 Queen Street East. A citizen walking in the area discovered the body just before 7 am this morning and contacted police.
Investigators are treating this as a sudden death investigation, that nothing appears suspicious about the death at this time and no foul play is suspected. A post mortem will be conducted on the deceased to determine the cause of death.

The age and name of the deceased male are not being released at this time until next of kin have been notified.

Earlier release:
Deceased Male Located at Court House

At 6:55 am this morning a citizen walking in the area of the Court House, 426 Queen Street East, contacted the Sault Ste Marie Police Service by cell phone advising that there was a male person that appeared to be deceased lying in the walkway on the west side of the Court House. Police, Fire and Ambulance Services attended on scene and confirmed that they had located a deceased male in his 70’s.

Detectives with the Sault Ste Marie Police Service are currently on scene and the investigation is continuing.

Further details will be released as they become available.

The age and name of the deceased male are not being released at this time until next of kin have been notified.

Property Crimes:

A break and enter to a garage on Walls Road was reported yesterday. A MIG Welder was reported stolen.
A vehicle in the 800 block of Trunk Road was entered. CD’S were reported stolen.
The bus shelter window on Second Line West and Wellington Street West was smashed.

The Sault Ste Marie Police Service would like to provide the public with the following Cold Weather Safety Tips if you are going to be outdoors:

The temperatures over the past couple of days have been extremely cold and may continue.

Dress warmly in layers; always wear a hat; keep clothing dry; mittens keep hands warmer than fingered gloves.
Drink warm, non-alcoholic beverages; alcohol causes the body to lose heat more rapidly.
Avoid overexertion in cold weather; this adds strain on the heart.

Be alert for the warning signs of frostbite; a momentary stinging pain followed by numbness. Do not rub the affected area; apply warm, moist towels; if skin begins turning blue-purple, go to a hospital emergency room.
Hypothermia is when the body temperature falls below 98 degrees. Symptoms include un-controllable shivering, dilated pupils and mental confusion. Keep victim warm while seeking medical attention.

Check on neighbours, friends and loved ones during a cold emergency. Make sure they have enough heat, food and other necessities.

Motorists:

· Police are urging motorists to spend the extra few minutes it takes to properly defrost and clear your car windows before driving off so there are no visibility issues when driving.

· Do not leave the car running unattended when waiting for it to defrost. Never leave the keys in the ignition even if you are just stopping quickly. Your vehicle may be stolen.

If traveling for longer distances prepare an emergency kit for your car which includes:

flashlight, extra batteries, flares, first aid kit
jumper cables
blanket(s)
extra clothes and gloves
non-perishable food
wet naps and paper towels
water
basic tools (wrenches, ratchet/socket set, screwdrivers, pliers etc) .

Cold Weather Tips For Pets:

Winter temperatures are fast approaching, which means it's time to give special attention to your pets both inside and out. Here are some winterizing tips for optimizing your animal's comfort and well being:

· When the temperatures reach sub-zero, it's time to give the outdoor cat and dog a break and bring them inside. This goes for Northern breeds like Siberian huskies or Malamutes as well as medium-coated German shepherds, golden retrievers, and others in our region where they may not be acclimated to such extremes.

· By "inside," that doesn't mean letting dogs and cats in and out of a warm house from night to day. Creating an abrupt temperature contrast can increase the risk of some infectious diseases. Consider housing them in the shelter of a well-built doghouse or bringing them into a tool shed or garage.

· Outdoor cats will seek warmth and sometimes this includes near or on a car engine. This means that if they don't move when you go out to start the engine the next time, they can be seriously injured or killed. Before starting the engine, rap on the hood a couple of times to chase them off from beneath the hood.

· Pets that move about on sidewalks, driveways or streets run the risk of picking up rock salt, ice and other chemicals in their foot pads. Each time they are brought in, make certain to wipe all four feet thoroughly. There is a tendency for them to lick the salt off their feet, which can cause an inflammation of the digestive tract.

· For short-coated breeds like greyhounds, Boston terriers, and Chihuahuas, you might want to put them in a protective sweater before taking them outside. Also realize, sweaters are not a substitute for shelter. They can get wet and actually remove more heat from an animal than they conserve.

· Be particularly careful when escorting elderly, arthritic pets outside. They will become stiff and tender quickly and may find it difficult to move about in the snow or ice. Keep them tethered tightly to your side if the route to the yard is icy. A bad slip can cause a ruptured disc, broken leg or other major injury.