Did you know October is National Toilet Tank Repair Month?

The notion to have a month set aside for awareness of commodes was put in place to raise awareness of toilets that leak. The notion to fix a leaking toilet tank is because of environmental concerns. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, homeowners with constantly-running toilets could be wasting up to 200 gallons of water every day.

October is also Squirrel Awareness Month.

According to the National Days Calendar, setting a whole month aside to become aware of those bushy-tailed rodents that like to raid my birdfeeders was started in 1995 after a fellow noticed a squirrel eyeing him while at the Grand Canyon. It seems that when he returned home from his trip, because of this ogling encounter, he started the Squirrel Lovers Club, which was the forerunner to Squirrel Awareness Month.

October is also known as Chili Month, Cookie Month and Caramel Month, as well as Pickled-Peppers Month, Pretzel Month and Popcorn Poppin’ Month, just to name a few.

October is a month full of observances, some of which I listed.

While it is a bit of trivial information to know October is also National Roller Skating Month, there are many more important issues to focus our attention.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence calculates that number equates to more than 10 million victims each year.

This year, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, these numbers have dropped, in some regions by 50 percent. While we may think this is good, advocates fear this is because victims aren’t reporting incidents or getting the help they need and there

The Center For Disease Control said there are several reasons why this might be happening.

The abuser may be further isolating and controlling their victims and possibly sharing misinformation about the pandemic in an effort to control or frighten them so they won’t seek help.

Also, victims may fear being exposed to the virus at a shelter, travel restrictions may have impacted a victim’s escape plan, and shelters may have been unable to assist.

My oldest daughter works at the Haven House Family Shelter, and locals should be proud to know that our local shelter has continued to remain open and serving those who need protection from their abuser during this time of crisis.

Purple is the color used to symbolize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I personally know many women in our community who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and have beat the beast, but unfortunately, I have had someone close to my family die from it.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. Statistics show that one in eight women who live in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime.

In 2020, it is estimated that more than 300,000 women will be diagnosed with some form of breast cancer.

As of this month, statistics show there are more than 3.5 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S., which includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment.

While there may be some interest in knowing October is National Go On A Field Trip Month, it is imperative we give full awareness to both breast cancer and domestic violence.

Someone’s life will depend on it.