Media Release - Safety Tips for the May 2-4 Weekend
Safety Tips for the May 2-4 Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Toronto, ON, May 15, 2008) – With a chill in the air this Victoria Day weekend, die-hard campers and nature lovers might thumb their (ever-so green) thumbs at those dodgy forecasters and go off into the wild, regardless of any rainy-day rumbling. Not even Mother Nature will hold you back.
Before you pack all that gear, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) would like to give you a few pointers for a safe, fun-filled weekend.
Portable Heaters
While you may be tempted to pull out that portable heater, never use fuel-burning space heaters in any enclosed space such as a camper, tent, car, home or cottage. Every year, unsuspecting campers and cottagers are seriously injured – and, in some tragic cases, die – due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning as a result of improper use.
At the Cottage and Campsite
Now that you are planning that great city-escape, take along a few simple tips – and enjoy the great outdoors. Make safety second nature.
Cottage
- check burners and exhaust systems of all appliances for blockages or obstructions such as insects, rodent nests, rust fragments or other debris that could lead to dangerous levels of CO;
- get your propane or gas-fired appliances such as stoves, refrigerators and heaters inspected and/or repaired by a certified technician;
- replace batteries in your CO and smoke alarms and test them to ensure they are working properly;
- clean your barbecue and check for any fuel leaks by applying a 50/50 solution of water and dish soap; and
- keep in mind barbecues are approved for outdoor use only and should not be stored inside any structure.
Campsite
- arrive with enough daylight left for a general safety check, and look for broken glass, sharp objects and natural hazards;
- ensure open-fires are permitted by local and provincial authorities. Clean up the fire pit and cut back any branches or brush that may have grown too close; and
- use only paper or kindling when starting a fire at your campsite. Be sure the fire is in a safe, open area, well away from flammables and other natural combustibles. Never leave a fire unattended.
If one of your last May 2-4 holiday stops happens to be a local LCBO store, look for TSSA’s latest SummerSmart brochure for further safety tips on cottaging, barbequing, camping and RV use. You can also check it out on our website – www.safety.info.ca. Gain peace of mind, knowing you are protecting yourself and loved ones – and remember: safety is up to you.
Full media release attached below.
