Tips for Making This Canada Day a Safe One

#AskJeremyDiamond

Canada Day is a festive time throughout the country as Canadians celebrate their heritage. Whether your celebration involves fireworks, a drive to a mountain lake, a trip across town or a backyard pool party, keeping yourself and others safe should be your number one priority. Here are a few tips to you can follow to help enjoy the celebration without mishap.

When heading to the outdoors, have a plan

Camping, festivals, fireworks displays and other outdoor activities have been a part of Canada Day celebrations for years for countless families throughout Ontario. Crowds or unfamiliar areas can result in members of your family or your group getting lost or separated. Have a designated meeting spot where members of your party can meet up in the event any of them wander off.

Don’t rely on cellphones to communicate with lost family members or friends. Getting a signal could be an issue at campgrounds or other remote locations. Walkie talkies with fresh batteries or that have been fully charged offer a reliable method of communication.

Don’t take the dangers of fireworks for granted

A hospital emergency department is not the place to spend Canada Day, but that’s exactly what can happen when people ignore the dangers posed by fireworks. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by attending some of the many professionally produced displays going on throughout Ontario on Canada Day. If you insist on handling fireworks, following these safety tips could avoid injury to you or to others:

• Read and follow the instructions affixed to the fireworks packages.
• Never allow children to use fireworks or be near where they are being ignited.
• Fireworks contain powerful explosives, so they should only be ignited by adults.
• Sparklers are not toys and can reach extremely high temperatures, so they should not be ignited by children. Children holding sparklers should be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times.
• Lighter fireworks being held by yourself or another person is a good way to lose some fingers. Bury fireworks in sand or loose earth to hold them up while their fuses are being lit.
• Always have a source of water available in case of fire or to use to immerse used sparklers to cool them down.
• Never aim or toss fireworks at another person or at a building.
• Glass containers, such as bottles or jars should never be used to hold fireworks. The container can explode and send glass shards flying in all directions.

If a firecracker, rocket or other firework does not explode, do not approach it right away. You should wait at least 30 minutes before going near it, and do not attempt to relight it or repair its fuse. Dispose of it by immersing it in water.

Practice highway safety this Canada Day

If you are drinking beer or other alcoholic beverages this Canada Day, make certain you have arranged for a ride home with a driver who has not been drinking. Everyone reacts differently to alcohol, so one drink could be enough to impair your ability to safely operate your vehicle. While on the subject of drinking and driving, anyone celebrating the holiday on the water should know that boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a criminal offence.

Some of the other precautions you should take while traveling during this holiday weekend include: 

• Everyone in your vehicle should be wearing a safety belt.
• Avoid distractions by putting away the cellphone and only program GPS devices when the vehicle is parked.
• Fatigue can be as deadly as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Tired drivers cannot react as quickly to road conditions or situations.
• Taking a boat or camper to the lake or campgrounds on a trailer can be a challenge for someone doing it for the first time. Trailers can impair you visibility and can make a vehicle difficult to steer. Practice in advance to avoid causing an accident.

No matter what you destination might be this Canada Day, leave yourself plenty of time to get to where you are going. Speeding and reckless behaviours by drivers rushing to get to their destinations are dangerous and illegal.

Personal injury lawyers in Ontario

The personal injury lawyers at Diamond & Diamond provide experienced legal advice and representation to victims of accidents caused by the negligence of other parties. If you suffer an injury this Canada Day, call our 24/7 personal injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit our website to speak to one of our team members. We have offices throughout Ontario to offer free consultations and case evaluations.