5 Things You Need To Know For October 1, 2026

October 1, 2026 5:55 am Published by Chris McLeod

_{October 1st is the 274th day of the year. There are 91 days remaining until the end of the year.}

A soggy end to the week, with more rain expected today.

Friday starts off wet, but we’ll see some sunshine break through as we head into the weekend.

And the first weekend of October is shaping up nicely — lots of sunshine and a high of 21 degrees.

Doors Open Chatham-Kent takes place Saturday, October 3, with 13 sites across the municipality offering free admission and behind-the-scenes access.

Visitors can choose from guided tours, hands-on activities, or explore at their own pace. The event is part of Doors Open Ontario, a province-wide initiative encouraging people to discover unique local spaces and heritage sites.

Some of CK’s top museums and galleries will be taking part, as will the Glenlochie Lodge in Dresden, the Red Barn Brewing Company, and SheepDog Animation.

Wallaceburg’s Sycamore Woods, which are only accessible with special permission from adjacent landowners and with a NatureCK guide, is the only attraction that requires registration to enter.

More information, including the participating locations and activities, is available here or Doors Open Ontario.

Statistics Canada has released their list of the most popular baby names from the past year – and after nine years as number one, Olivia is no longer the most popular girls name.

Charlotte has knocked Olivia off the top spot as Canada’s most popular baby girl name. Statistics Canada says Charlotte was given to 1,502 baby girls born in 2025, compared with 1,445 named Olivia. Emma was third, followed by Sophia and Amelia.

On the boys’ side, Noah remained number one for the fifth straight year, followed by Theodore and Liam.

Nora was a new addition to the girls’ top ten, replacing Ava.

The full list includes some familiar favourites, with names like William, Oliver, Jack, Benjamin and Lucas rounding out the boys’ top ten.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

If you’re in your 40s, you can self-refer for a mammogram in Ontario — no doctor’s referral is needed.

Eligible people can contact any Ontario Breast Screening Program location directly to book an appointment.

Ontario lowered the age for self-referral from 50 to 40 in October 2024, making regular breast cancer screening more accessible to people in their 40s.

For more information, visit the Ontario Breast Screening Program website.

October is Fire Prevention Month.

You can book a CHiRP Check anytime, by visiting CKFire.ca or calling 311, or just opening the door this month when a firefighter makes their way through your neighbourhood. A CHiRP Check – Community Home Fire Safety Check – is a free home safety service provided by Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue where local firefighters visit your residence to evaluate fire safety.

The theme for 2026 Fire Prevention Month is: Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower – focusing on reducing lithium-ion battery fires. The theme focuses on safety by urging people to use approved equipment, charge devices on flat surfaces, and inspect batteries for overheating.