How to have a fun and safe Victoria Day

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For many Canadians, Victory Day is the first long weekend of the summer. Many people take to the roads heading for rivers, lakes and other places to celebrate the holiday. Others choose to stay at home and celebrate with friends and relatives in their backyards. Whether its traffic or backyard mishaps, the chances of being injured in an accident increases during Victoria Day celebrations. Here are a few tips to keep people safe as they celebrate Victoria Day.

Avoid drugs or alcohol if driving

Avoid consuming alcohol or drugs that can impair your ability to safely operate your vehicle. If celebrating Victoria Day at a friend’s home, avoid alcohol unless there is a designated driver to safely get you home. Plan to spend the night or arrange for a taxi or car service to get you home if the celebration will include alcoholic beverages.

Even if your holiday celebration does not include alcohol, getting behind the wheel of your car to drive home might not be a very good idea. Drivers who are tired because of a lack of sleep can be as dangerous as those whose abilities to drive are impaired by the consumption of alcohol. Researchers found that 20 percent of accidents on the nation’s roads are caused by drivers who were too tired and sleepy to safely operate their vehicles.

Backyard swimming pools

Tragedy can strike in a matter of seconds when children are around backyard swimming pools. If having people over to celebrate Victoria Day, never leave children unsupervised in or near swimming pools. There should always be an adult watching and supervising them. Children who cannot swim should wear an approved personal floatation device to prevent drowning in the event of a mishap.

Owners of swimming pools should inspect the pool area to make certain it is clear of anything that could pose a tripping hazard, such as garden hoses, children’s toys and wiring. There should be lifesaving equipment within easy access along with a first aid kit.

Firework safety on Victoria Day

Regardless of where you celebrate Victoria Day, fireworks seem to be a traditional part of the festivities. Bear in mind that fireworks are explosives that can cause serious physical injuries, fatalities and fires when they are not properly handled. Children should never be allowed to ignite or hold fireworks, and only adults who know how to safely work with fireworks should be in charge of them.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks on Victoria Day is to attend one of the many professional displays in and around Ontario. If you are going to be using fireworks, make certain there is a water supply, preferably a hose connected to a water source, available to be used in the event of a fire.

Before igniting any type of fireworks, read the directions that come with them. Only use them if you understand the risks and safety precautions. If using rockets and other aerial displays, make sure they are launched away from people. Firecrackers and similar devices should not be placed into glass or other enclosed containers when ignited as they can cause the container to explode and injure people with their fragments.

Ontario personal injury lawyers can help

The personal injury lawyers at Diamond and Diamond have years of experience successfully handling claims for compensation for individuals suffering injuries due to the negligence of other parties. If you have been injured in an accident on Victoria Day, you could have a claim against the other party for compensation. Call the Diamond and Diamond 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit their website to speak to someone now. They offer free consultations and case evaluations to injury victims throughout Ontario.