Safety Tips for the May Long Weekend

With spring upon us, May long weekend marks the start to the warmer summer season. Whether you plan on going camping, boating, getting some chores done or taking a road trip, here are some reminders to help everyone stay safe this summer.

Driving

May 14-20 is Canada Road Safety Week. Car and motorcycle collisions account for 40% of hospital trauma cases, so don’t become a statistic!

• Be ready for the road. This may be the first weekend you use that motorcycle or RV that has sat all winter. Check the vehicle over well, make sure all the lights work and it's safe for the road.

• Take your time! It’s a long weekend, enjoy the scenery. Speeding to get to the lake may only save you a few minutes, but cost you a speeding ticket or worse. Speeding also increases your reaction time, so slow down.

• Be alert. Get some rest before your road trip. Don’t drink and drive or do drugs and drive. Arrange for a designated driver. Part of Canada Road Safety Week is additional “enforcement efforts on behaviors that present a serious risk; impaired driving, fatigue, distracted driving, aggressive driving and driving without a seatbelt”.

Water Safety

Take extra care in and around the rivers, lakes and ocean.

• All boaters should wear a lifejacket! Ensure the lifejacket is fully zipped up and all buckles are done. The life jacket should fit correctly and meet the weight requirements of the wearer.

• Never swim alone. Always have a buddy and keep an eye out for each other. Supervise children near the water.

• Boating and drinking? Prepare for sinking. Don’t drink until you are safely ashore.

Safety Around the Home

Spring can mean getting those chores done. Working on the roof, in the yard or around the house, think about the hazards.

• Secure ladders or have a helper hold the ladder for you.

• Wear PPE including work boots. Chopping wood in flip flops hurts!

• If there is a chance of flying objects (e.g. weed whacking or grinding), wear eye protection.

• If you’re using a chainsaw, wear chainsaw chaps, boots and eye protection.

Campfire Safety

With many of us having campfires this weekend, here are some tips to stay safe and enjoy yourself.

• Supervise children around campfires; make sure to have an adult around any campfire. Newer synthetic fiber clothing is extremely flammable and shrinks when heated. Consider wearing cotton or wool around campfires.

• Have water, a hose or bucket and a shovel at the ready for any spot fires. With this year’s weather forecast to be drier and warmer than usual, the fire wildfire risk is also elevated. Make sure to extinguish your fire when done or when unattended.