While the chainsaw makes light work of cutting trees and blocking firewood, it can cause serious injury if not used carefully. The Provincial Forest Section of the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry is offering a chainsaw safety course entitled “Cutting Firewood Safely” at district forest offices across the province.
The course consists of an evening class on safety practices with three hours of demonstration on Saturday. Topics that will be covered include protective clothing, cold and warm starts, notching, safe felling, saw safety trouble shooting and wildlife enhancement techniques.
The chainsaw safety course is free but enrolment is limited to eight persons per session so those interested are asked to preregister by calling their district forest office where the course will be held:
1. Eastern Forest District Office, Southampton, 961 -7296
2. Western Forest District Office, Wellington, 854-7260
3. Central Forest District Office, Beach Grove Road, Charlottetown, 368-4800
The course will be offered Wednesday, October 17, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with the practical demonstration Saturday, October 20, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. If the demand is high enough, a second course will be held Thursday, October 18, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with the practical demonstration the afternoon of Saturday, October 20.