Newsflash, Part VI

Let me assure you that it is still winter here in the southern hemisphere. You can tell because there is snow on the mountains and people continue to destroy themselves and their property in ill-advised attempts to beat the cold.

I hope article #1 convinces you to keep your grill outside. The follow-up provided in article #2 suggests these people didn't heed their sparky's warning "don't drink and fry."

Article #3 describes another deadly weekend accident. I consulted Google to find out more about "sleepouts." It seems these flammable shacks are constructed to house society's rejects - the young, the old, the single, and the unwanted houseguest.

• "A sleepout is a particularly New Zealand term for a building that is either attached to an existing structure on the property which is not the main building (such as a garage or a barn), or a small stand alone structure that is used for accommodation away from the main home. There are a variety of uses for NZ sleepouts; really, the use is only limited by the owner's imagination, but here are several typical uses: accommodation, office space, children's playroom, storage, workshop. The most widespread use of a sleepout in NZ is accommodation. Here are some of the usual occupants of a sleepout in New Zealand: 1) Many NZ sleepouts house a teenager, keen on a wee bit of independence, but too young and too poor to leave home and still very dependant on the home cooking and laundry service! The sleepout, adorned with posters, television set, DVD player, stereo and perhaps even computer, gives the adolescent the illusion of independence. And it does have the advantage of moving the music away from long suffering parents! 2) The newly single, in the aftermath of divorce or relationship break up, seeking board with an element of privacy. 3) Some people keep a sleepout in NZ for guests, permanently made up and ready for use. 4) More elaborate and better serviced buildings are used for older family members in NZ, although the term 'granny flat' better describes this situation."