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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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Yet Another COVID Question

Will your home policy cover you in this situation? You have invited guests into your residence. One of them catches COVID, and it can be established that it came from your home, one of your guests, or you. The guest decides to sue you.

Most insurance policies in Canada have provisions that exclude communicable/contagious diseases. In other words, if you catch it and you spread the disease to others, you’re not going to be covered if someone brings a liability suit against you.

The lack of policy coverage may pertain to more than just damages that can be proved. There are also exclusions in insurance policies for criminal acts, intentional acts, and unlawful acts.

In the context of flouting public health and government orders, for example, home insurance policies might not cover the legal costs to defend the action in the first place, whether the action is successful or not.