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Tip of the Month

                                                                                                       Barbecue Season Is In Full Swing: Don’t Go Up In Flames


The joys of outdoor cooking also bring fire and associated risks. Here are some safety reminders for gas and propane barbecues to protect you and your property from harm or damage.
•    Never operate a barbecue in an enclosed space, close to a structure, or near combustibles. Have a one metre radius around it free of obstructions. 
•    Keep your barbecue in tip top shape. Check for hose breakage, valve leaks, and other parts before securing the tank well and turning on the gas. 
•    When in use, never leave the grill unattended, and when finished turn the tank off before the burners so the remaining gas in the lines can burn off. This can help prevent a flash the next time the BBQ is in use.
•    Make sure your fire extinguisher is easily accessible and in good working order. 
Additional Tips
•    Propane companies use an additive to create an unpleasant odour like rotten eggs to make a propane leak easier to detect, so you can shut off supply immediately, stop using the grill, and clear the area.
•    Although the risk of carbon monoxide is low when using a BBQ outdoors, it is not entirely eliminated. Learn to recognize the signs of CO2 poisoning and take appropriate action.
•    Store propane tanks in an upright position, in a spot where they are unlikely to be knocked or bumped to prevent any safety risk.
 

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Drowsy Driving = Impaired Driving

        March 11th marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time with the resultant loss of one hour of sleep.

Statistics have shown that there is a significantly elevated risk of a collision if a driver has slept for fewer than 7 hours in the previous 24. The estimated crash risk associated with driving after only 4-5 hours of sleep, compared with 7 hours or more, is similar to that of driving while legally drunk. Having  less than 4 hours of sleep, renders the driver as impaired as he or she would be at twice the legal limit of blood alcohol. There is even a higher risk of collision when drivers sleep for one or more hours less than they usually sleep, independent of how much they usually sleep.

Teens, older adults, and people with sleep disorders are in the highest risk group. The most critical time periods are morning rush hours, between 3:00 to 6:00 pm, and between midnight to 3:00 am. More than half of drivers involved in fatigue-related crashes experienced no symptoms before falling asleep behind the wheel.

      The Canada Safety Council recommends frequent rest stops and shared driving duties to reduce the risk .