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.
Impaired Boating is Impaired Driving
With the arrival of May, the boating season gets into full swing. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, be aware of how to reduce risk while boating:
All operators of motorized vessels require a Pleasure Craft Operator Card. There are no exemptions for age, size of boat or engine horsepower – even for electric trolling motors and canoes fitted with small engines.
Make sure everyone in the boat is wearing, and is buckled into an approved lifejacket or personal floatation device (PFD).
Alcohol and water are a potentially deadly combination. Males between the ages of 18 and 34 who have been drinking alcohol and are not wearing lifejackets while participating in recreational on-water activities are at greater risk of drowning.
Remember that boaters caught drinking and boating in Ontario will face the same penalties as those for drinking and driving, which include driver’s licence suspensions of varying lengths depending on blood alcohol concentration. These penalties apply to power boats, canoes, kayaks, jet-skis, sailboats, dinghies, and other inflatable boats and rafts.
W.H. Williamson & Co. Limited
