This weekend is the Labour Day long weekend! As Canadians prepare for a fantastic 3-day weekend it’s important to remember to be safe this weekend.
We want everyone to have a safe and fun long weekend so we’ve put together a list of safety tips relating to the most common long weekend activities.
Long Weekend Safety Tips
Driving Safety Tips
Many of us start our long weekend with a drive. Whether it’s to the cottage or the beach it is important to follow these safe driving tips:
- Look for a less travelled route → Less traffic means less opportunities for accidents and a smoother drive to your destination
- Don’t drive when tired → As much as you may want to beat the traffic and leave in the wee hours in the morning, be sure you are well rested and alert when getting behind the wheel
- Don’t drink and drive → NEVER consume alcohol or drugs and get behind the wheel of a vehicle. When returning home from this long weekend make sure you have not consumed alcohol or drugs prior to making the drive
- Buckle up → Lack of seatbelts result in injuries and deaths that are preventable – don’t drive without wearing your seatbelt
- Leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you → Everyone wants to get their weekend started faster but driving dangerously puts you and others in your vehicle at risk. Drive safely and start your weekend in one piece
Water Safety Tips
Swimming and watersports are a huge part of the Canadian long weekend. Everyone can have fun and stay safe doing water activities by following these safety tips:
- Always supervise children → Young children ages 1-4 are at the greatest risk of drowning; keep an eye on children at all times when around water
- Wear a life jacket when boating or doing watersports → Avoid the risk of drowning by wearing a correct size life jacket when participating in any activities that take you into open water
- Do not drink and boat → Just as you would not drink and drive do not drink and operate a boat
- Swim with a buddy → Dangerous situations can occur while swimming. Avoid being stranded on your own by keeping friends/family close by when you’re in the water
- Do not swim in bad weather conditions → It’s very dangerous to swim in bad weather. Pay attention to the weather before you swim and keep an eye out for bad weather conditions while swimming to avoid dangerous situations
Sun Safety Tips
We all hope for beautiful, sunny weather this long weekend. But with that weather comes the hazards of the sun. Protect yourself and your loved ones with these tips:
- Pay attention to extreme heat warnings → Avoid potentially dangerous conditions by staying aware of heat warnings in your area
- Cover up → Wear light clothes and hats to avoid heat-related illness
- Limit your time in the sun → After extended amounts of time in the sun be sure to spend some time indoors/in shaded areas to give your body a break from the heat
- Use sunscreen → Keep your skin protected by wearing sunscreen when you’re exposed to the sun
- Drink water → Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water and other cool liquids throughout the day
- Wear sunglasses →Protect your eyes and bring sunglasses with you this weekend
- Keep children out of the sun → Children can not handle the heat the same way adults can. Keep them out of the sun and protected (sunscreen, hats, etc) at all times
Fireworks Safety Tips
Fireworks! The exciting finale of the long weekend. If you’re setting off fireworks this weekend be sure to follow these safety tips:
- Follow regulations when purchasing fireworks → Do not purchase illegal fireworks
- Read instructions and follow warnings → Make sure you know what you’re doing when setting up fireworks
- Do not store unused fireworks near the ones being lit → This can lead to accidentally activating the unused fireworks which can lead to injury
- Check wind directions → Be sure to monitor which way the wind is blowing to avoid sending fireworks in the direction of your audience
- Seat spectators at a safe distance → Seat your audience far enough away from the lighting of the fireworks that they are safely out of harm’s way
- Only allow adults to handle fireworks → No one under the age of 18 should participate in setting off fireworks
- Do not handle fireworks impaired – Do not light fireworks if you have been drinking. Be sure that you are alert and aware of your surrounding when setting off fireworks
- Do not handle live fireworks → Never hold a lighted firework in your hand
- Dispose of fireworks safely → Follow proper protocol when disposing of fireworks after the show is over
Follow the safety tips above for a safe and fun Labour Day weekend!!
Sources
- https://www.insurancehotline.com/long-weekend-safe-driving-tips/
- http://www.redcross.ca/training-and-certification/swimming-and-water-safety-tips-and-resources/swimming–boating-and-water-safety-tips/boating-safety
- http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/healthy-living-vie-saine/environment-environnement/sun-soleil/safety-protection-eng.php
- https://canadasafetycouncil.org/community-safety/fireworks-safety-tips
- http://www.redcross.ca/training-and-certification/swimming-and-water-safety-tips-and-resources/swimming–boating-and-water-safety-tips/summer-water-safety