Home Heating Safety

CO Safety Fuel & Home Safety

Winter Recreation

Your handbook for a safer Winter.

safetyinfo.ca

WINTERWISE

WinterWise is a public safety awareness handbook. It’s designed to provide you with the information you need to reduce risk and keep your family safe.

With everything from snow, ice, wind and chilling temperatures, winter tends to bring out, or keep in, two types of people – the homey sort, spending more time indoors with family and friends; and the outdoor sort, braving the elements for all the rosy-cheeked excitement they can muster.

Regardless what type of person your are, it’s important to be “WinterWise” and help keep you and your family safe while enjoying all that the season has to offer.

Elevator & Escalator Safety25 TheInsideScooponElevatorRescue

27 Shop,butWatchyouStep

Winter Recreation 29 FirstTimeSkiersandSnowboarders

30 IceSkating

31 PriortoShovelling

32 ShovellingSnow–Safely

33 SnowmobileSafety

Winter activity safety tips, starts pg. 28

Be“WinterWise”Althoughwetendtospendmoretimeindoorsduringthewinter,itisaseasonthatprovidesgreatopportunitiesforoutdoorfunandrecreation.Whetheryou’restayingwarmbythefire,orspendingthedayontheslopes,be“WinterWise”tohelpyouandyourfamilystaysafe.

InthisissueWinterWise2016

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety7 FourStepstoCOSafety

8 AlarmYourself

Home Heating Safety11 AnAnnualInspectionisaMust

11 YourHomeHeatingSystem

12 GasFireplaces–TooHotforTots

14 YourWoodStoveorFireplace

15 YourPortableSpaceHeater

16 FreshAir-LetYourHouseBreathe

Do you live in an apartment? For fire safety tips, see page 21.

Fuel and Home Safety19 TreatFuelwithCare

20 HowAreYouPoweringYourReno?

21 FireSafetyinApartmentBuildings

22 PreventCookingFires

23 KnowYourFireExtinguishers

Stay safe and have fun

this winter.

Check out these tips to help keep your home safe this winter.

10

33

1

3

2

4

6 7

Carbon Monoxide SafetyCarbon monoxide (CO) exposure is a deadly but common

hazard in your home that can happen any time of year –

especially when the cold, winter weather settles in,

and we depend on things like our furnace or gas

fireplace to heat up our homes.

Four Steps to CO Safety

To keep your home safe from CO hazards, follow these four steps:

1.Beawareofthehazard.Carbon

monoxide(CO)isaninvisible,odourless

andpoisonousgasproducedby

commonhouseholdappliancessuch

asyourfurnace,fireplace,gasstove,

propaneheater,kerosenelanternor

anyotherfuel-burningequipment.

2.EliminateCOatthesource.Getyour

home’sfuel-burningappliancesand

equipmentinspectedbyacertified

technicianwhoworksforaTSSA-

registeredheatingcontractor.To

findaTSSA-registeredcontractorinyour

area,visitCOSafety.ca.

3.InstallcertifiedCOalarms.Theywill

warnyouofrisingCOlevels,giving

youtimetotakepotentiallylife-saving

action.Forproperinstallationlocations,

followmanufacturer’sinstructionsor

askyourlocalfiredepartment.

4.KnowthesymptomsofCO

poisoning.Theyaresimilartothe

flu–nausea,headache,burningeyes,

confusionanddrowsiness–except

thereisnofever.Iftheyappear,

immediatelygeteveryone,including

pets,outsidetofreshairandcall911

and/oryourlocalfiredepartment.

AlarmYourself

Inadditiontoensuringthatyour

home’sfuel-burningequipmenthas

beeninspectedprofessionally,your

nextimportantlineofdefenceagainst

COishavingproperlyinstalledand

maintainedalarms.

Whenitcomestoalarms,

followthesetips:

InstallCOalarms:

� Oneverylevelofyourhome

� Nearsleepingareas

� Accordingtomanufacturer’s

instructions

NOTnear:

� Windowsorvents

� Bathrooms

� Heatingorfuel-burningappliances

� Smokealarms

(unlesscombinationalarm)

TestCOandsmokealarmsoncea

monthbypushingthetestbutton

Replacebatteriesonceayear,

includingback-upbatteriesforplug-in

alarms;usefalldaylightsavingstime

asareminder

ReplaceCOalarmswhenrequired

COalarmswearoutovertime.Check

themanufacturer’sinstructionstofind

outwhenyourparticularunitshouldbe

replaced(usuallyafter7-10yearsforCO

alarmsand10yearsforsmokealarms).

Checklist

The Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners recommends that you know your fire department’s phone number and keep it posted by every phone in your home.

8 9

You can help prevent carbon monoxide from harming you and your family by:

1. Getting an annual inspection for all fuel-burning appliancesin your home.

2. Installing and regularly testing carbon monoxide alarms.

6

8

8

7

3

5

21

4

1 Furnace2 Water Heater3 Dryer

4 Fireplace 5 Stove6 Car

7 BBQ8 Blocked Vents

or Chimney

Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide

Fuel-burning appliances:

TAKE ACTION COSafety.ca

Home Heating Safety

SafetyTips

10 11

In Canada, we depend on our heating systems to keep

us safe and warm when the thermometer plunges and

the snow falls, so it is vitally important to check and

maintain your furnace and/or fireplace.

AnAnnualInspectionisaMust

Heatingsystemsthatburnfuelsuch

asgas,oilorwoodneedtobe

inspectedandmaintainedannually.

Itistheonlywaytoensureefficient

andsafeoperation.

Forfurnaces,whileyoucanandshould

changefilters,theonlypersonqualified

toinspectyournaturalgas,propaneor

oilfurnaceisacertifiedtechnicianwho

worksforaTSSA-registeredcontractor.

TofindaTSSA-registered

contractorinyourarea,

visitCOSafety.ca.

Remember,furnaceandfireplace

inspectionsareyourresponsibility.

Ifyoudonotarrangeit,itwillnot

getdone.Donotforgettohaveyour

furnace,fireplaceoranyfuel-burning

applianceinspectedannually!

Gettingstarted:

� VisitCOSafety.catofindaTSSA

registeredcontractornearyou

� Obtainatleastthreewritten

estimatesspecifyingtheworktobe

done,whowilldothework,aswell

asstartandcompletiondates

� Determinewhetherrepairsare

coveredbyawarranty;avoid‘fly-by-

nighters’,especiallypeoplewhoshow

upatyourdoorofferingspecialdeals

YourHomeHeatingSystem

Tokeepyourhomeheatingsystem

workingthewayitshouldthisseason;

thereareactionsthatyouastheowner

cantake,buttherearethingsthatneed

tobeperformedbyaprofessional.

Do-It-Yourself

� Examinetheheatingsystem

occasionallyforsignsofdeterioration,

suchaswaterstains,corrosionor

leakage;inforced-airsystems,clean

thefurnaceairfiltersfrequently–

atleasttwiceaheatingseason

� Keeptheareaaroundthefurnace

freefromdust,lint,rags,paint,

draincleanersandothermaterials

orchemicalsthatcouldcatchfireor

explodeiftheybecometoohot

� Makesurewarm-airoutletsandcold-

airoutletsarenotcoveredbycarpets

orblockedbydebris

� Makesurewalls,otherobstructions

ornewrenovationsdonotblockthe

heatingsystem’sairsupply

52

12 13

GasFireplaces–TooHotforTots

Everyyear,childrenareburnedfrom

contactwiththeglassbarrieratthe

frontofagasfireplace.Statisticsshow

thatcontactburns–injuriessustained

whenapartofthebodytouchesa

hotobject–arethesecondleading

causeofburnsinchildren.

Childrenhavebeenburnedwhenthey

havefallentowardsthegasfireplace

andhavepushedupagainstthehot

glassforbalance.Seriousthird-degree

burnsaretheresult.Othershave

touchedtheglassonlyforamoment

outofcuriosity.Ittakesjusttwo

secondstobeseriouslyburned.Many

childrenhavebeenburnedwhile

parentsareintheroom.

Childrenarenotonlyat

riskforburnswhenthe

gasfireplaceisinusebut

beforeandafterusetoo.Theglass

barriercanheatuptomorethan

200°Cinaboutsixminutesduring

use.Ittakesanaverageof45minutes

forthefireplacetocooltoasafe

temperatureafterafirehasbeen

extinguished.Somechildrenhave

evenbeenburnedwhenthefireplace

isnotinuse,bytheheatfromthe

ignitionlight.Childrenareatriskofa

burninjurywhenevertheyarearound

agasfireplace.

Callaprofessional

� Ifyourheatingsystemstopsworking,

checktheelectricalfuse,theswitch

andthethermostat,andthencallfor

aheatingtechnician

� Ifsnoworicecoversyouroutdoor

regulator,contactyourfuelsupplier

� Undernocircumstancesshould

unqualifiedpeopletamperwith

heatingsystems;ifyouhave

questionsorconcerns,contact

aTSSA-registeredheatingcontractor

byvisitingCOSafety.ca.

Young children under two years, are at an even greater risk for getting burned by the glass barrier

Young children under five years of age

are at an increased risk for getting burned

by the glass barrier

Tokeepyourchildsafearoundgasfireplaces:

� Neverleaveayoungchildalonenearagasfireplace;theycanbeburnedbefore,

during,andafteruseofthefireplace

� Createabarrieraroundthegasfireplace;safetyguardscanbeinstalledtokeep

yourchildatasafedistanceatalltimes

� Teachchildrenaboutthedangersoffire;childrenarefascinatedbyheatandfire

andmaynotunderstandthedangers

� Considernotusingthefireplaceifyouhaveyoungchildrenlessthanfiveyearsof

age,usingitonlyafteryourchildrenhavegonetosleep,orconsiderturningthe

unitoffcompletely,includingtheignitionflame,whenevertheunitisnotinuse

� Beawareofcontactburndangersfromirons,curlingirons,radiators,olderoven

doors,wood-burningstoves,andfireplaces

45MINUTES

Ittakesanaverageof45minutesfor

thefireplacetocooltoasafetemperature

afterafirehasbeenextinguished

YourWoodStoveorFireplace

This time of year, it can be comforting to curl up beside a crackling

fireplace, or gather family and friends around the warmth of a wood

stove. Take the necessary steps now to ensure that wood stoves and

fireplaces are operating properly and free of potential hazards.

Watchforthewarningsigns

Lookforcorrosionorrustontheouter

shellofametalchimney.Watchfor

bulgesorcorrosionofthelineraswell.

Loosebricks,crumblingmortar,dark

stainsandwhitepowderallindicate

problemswithamasonrychimney.It

shouldberepairedimmediatelybya

certifiedheatingcontractorormason.

Checkstovepipesandconnections

Ensurethatscrewsarelocatedatevery

jointandthateachconnectionisa

tight,securefit.Also,lookforsignsof

darkstainingorwhitepowder(also

referredtoasleeching)ateveryjoint.

Rustisaclearsignthatitistimeto

replacethestovepipe.

Checkwallsforexcessiveheat

Ifthewallaboveyourfireplaceor

woodstovegetsveryhot,itcouldbe

asignofimproperchimneyinstallation

andapotentialfirehazard.

Protectwallsandfloorsfrom

heatandsparks

Keepcombustibleobjectsawayfrom

yourwoodstoveorfireplaceand

alwaysuseaproperlyfittedscreento

coverthefireplaceopening.Floors

andwallsshouldbeprotectedwith

non-combustibleshields.

YourPortableSpaceHeater

Electricspaceheatersareahandywaytoaddalittleextrawarmthtoone

cornerofyourhomewithoutturningupthefurnace.However,electricspace

heaterscanbeahazardifusedimproperly.Followthemanufacturer’sinstructions

andthesesafetytipstostaysafeandwarm:

� Neverusespaceheaterstodry

flammableitemssuchasclothing

orblankets

� Keepallflammableobjectsat

leastonemetreawayfrom

spaceheaters

� Ifyouuseanextensioncord,make

sureitistherightsizeandgauge

tocarrytheelectricalloadbeing

drawnbythespaceheater

� Neveruseanelectricalspaceheater

inawetareaoranyareathatcan

beexposedtowater

� Supervisechildrenandpetsatall

timeswhenaportablespaceheater

isinuse

Neverusefuel-burning

portablespaceheaters(such

aspropaneorkerosene)in

anyenclosedspace,asitcanleadto

deadlycarbonmonoxideexposure

Whenindoubt,callanexpert

Thesafestandmostpracticalwaytohandletheannual

maintenanceofyourchimney,woodstoveandfireplaceisto

contactaWETT*certifiedChimneySweep.Itisarelativelysmall

investmentforpeaceofmind.

*WoodEnergyTechnologyTransfer

Improper use of space heaters is one of the leading causes of fires and carbon monoxide exposure in homes and cottages.

14 15

FreshAir–LetYourHouseBreathe

Inattemptingtoconserveenergy

andreduceourheatingcosts,wecan

sometimesmakeourhomestooair

tight.Infact,forahousetobehealthy,

itneedsto“breathe”.Itneedstoexpel

moistureandothergasesfrominside

andtakeinaconstantsupplyoffresh

airfromoutside.

Whenafuel-burningapplianceinyour

homedoesnotgetenoughfreshair

andfailstocompletelyburnitsfuel,

carbonmonoxideisproduced.

Ifventilationisdamagedorblocked,

orifyouhaveapowerfulkitchenfan,

bathroomfanoropenhearthfireplace,

thencarbonmonoxidecanbedrawn

backinsidethehouse.

Exhaustfanscancompound

theproblem

Bemindfulthattheairyouexhaust

fromyourhomehastobereplaced.

Powerfulexhaustfansinbathrooms

andkitchensoropenhearthwood-

burningfireplacescanactuallycreate

anegativepressureinsideyourhome,

resultinginabackdraftwhichwilldraw

exhaustfumesfromyourfurnace,hot

waterheaterorotherappliancesback

intothehouse.

Howcanyoutellifyourhomeis

tooairtight?

� Theairinsideyourhomeisusually

stuffyandstale

� Excessivecondensationisdripping

downyourwindows(whichcould

alsomeanyourhumidifierissettoo

high,socheckthatfirst)

� Thepilotlightonyourgasappliance

keepsgoingout

� Agasflameburnsyellowinsteadof

blue(exceptinthecaseofanatural

gasfireplace)

� Thesmellofexhaustgasesis

presentinyourhome;althoughyou

cannotsmellcarbonmonoxide,other

exhaustgasesdohaveanodour

Ifyouseeanyofthesesigns,contact

acertifiedheatingcontractorora

buildingventilationexperttocheck

yourhomeandcorrecttheproblem

Considerthesesolutions:

Air exchanger

Ifyourhomeistightlysealedtomake

itenergyefficient,considerinvestingin

aprofessionallyinstalledairexchange

system.Itexchangestheairinsideyour

homeforfreshoutsideairevery24

hours,withoutwastingheat.

Direct feed

Whenrenovatingorbuilding,consider

installingheatingsystemsandappliances

thathaveadirectfeedofoutsideair

forcombustion,sotheydonotdrawair

frominsidethehome.Thecombustion

chambersaresealedsotheyaresafer

andmoreenergyefficient.

16

Beat The Silent Killer

Take Action - COSafety.ca

In Ontario, over 65% of all carbon monoxide deaths and

injuries occur in homes.

18 19

TreatFuelwithCare

Whenrunningagas-poweredengine:

� KeepaBCClassfireextinguisher

handy.Waterwillonlyspreadthe

flamesofagasoline-basedfire

� Neverworkoridleinanenclosed

spacesuchasagarage,basement

ortent

� Allowequipmenttocooldownfora

fewminutesbeforerefuelling

Storage

Donotleavegasolineinthebasement

ofyourhomeorinthecottage.Store

fuelinapprovedcontainersinadetached

garageorshed,andwellawayfromheat

sourcesincludingdirectsunlight.

FillingContainers

� Onlyusefuelcontainersthathave

beencertifiedbyanaccredited

certificationorganizationsuchasthe

CanadianStandardsAssociation(CSA)

Internationalorthe Underwriters

LaboratoriesofCanada(ULC)

� Keepwellawayfromsparksor

ignitionsources

� Fillonlytoabout90percentof

capacitytoallowsomeroom

forexpansion

� Whenfilling,keepportablecontainers

ontheground,withthedispensing

nozzleinfullcontactwiththe

containerinordertopreventbuildup

anddischargeofstaticelectricity–

apossiblesourceofignition

� Whenyouarefinishedrefillingthe

container,tightenboththefilland

ventcaps

� Neverleavethecontainerindirect

sunlightorinthetrunkofacar

Disposal

Thebestwaytodisposeof

gasolineistouseitup.

Smallamountscanbeleft

outsidetoevaporate–leaveinanopen

containerawayfromchildrenandpets.

Ifgasolinemustbediscarded,besure

totakeittothehazardouswaste

disposalcentreinyourarea.Neverpour

gasolineontotheground,downsewers

orintodrains.

Gasoline is a common fuel around the home. It powers

our lawnmowers, chainsaws, snow blowers, All Terrain

Vehicles (ATVs) and more. But, despite its everyday use,

it’s important not to underestimate the dangers

of gasoline.

Fuel and Home Safety

20 21

FireSafetyinApartmentBuildings

Q:Doesyourapartmenthaveatleastoneworkingsmokealarm?

Test monthly and replace batteries annually to ensure it

works properly.

Q:Doyouhavearollofducttape? Duct tape is a special tape

available from hardware stores. Use it to block smoke from entering

your apartment through spaces around your doors, vents and

other openings.

Q:Doyouknowhowyouaregoingtoescapefromyourbuilding

ifthereisafire? Most apartment buildings have at least two exit

stairways. Find out where these are and practice using them. Know

which floors you can use to cross from one stairway to another.

Q:Haveyoutoldyourlandlordorbuildingmanagerthatyou

willneedhelpinanemergency? Your apartment number can

be added to the fire safety plan, so firefighters will know that you

may need to be rescued.

Q:Doyouknowwherethefirealarmsareonyourfloor,and

howtopullthem? Ask your landlord or building manager where

they are and how to use them.

Q:Haveyouarrangedaplaceoutsidethebuildingwhere

youwillmeeteveryoneyoushareyourapartmentwithafter

youleave? Having a meeting place gives you confidence that

everyone got out safely.

Q:Doyouknowthetelephonenumbertocallifthereisafire?

Keep this telephone number in a place where you can find it fast

in an emergency.

Being prepared can help save your life. Talk to

your building’s management or fire department

for more details.

Howareyoupoweringyourreno?

You’vereadthemagazines,pickedyourpaintcoloursandchosenyourtile.Yes,it’s

officiallytimetostartyourrenovation!Buthaveyouchosentherightelectrician?

Designanddécorarekeycomponentsofeveryreno,butsoisthesafetyofyouand

yourfamily.

Didyouknowthatit’sthelawinOntariotohireaLicensedElectricalContractor(LEC)

foranyelectricalworkbeingdoneinyourhome?Whatdoesthatmean,youask?

LECsaretheonlybusinessesinOntario

legallyauthorizedtodoelectricalwork

inyourhome.Theyarefullyinsured,will

arrangeelectricalpermits,offeraCertificate

ofInspectionforyouandyourinsurance

company,andarequalifiedtoperformany

electricalworkyourequire.

Whileitcanbetemptingwhenyou’reon

abudgettorelyonthelocalhandyman,

youneedtothinkoftherealcost–both

intermsofinjuryorpropertyloss–if

somethinggoeswrong.HiringanLECwill

notonlybringyoupeaceofmind,it’s

alsolikelytosaveyoufromproblemsand

inconvenienceinthelongrun.

Howdoyouknowifyou’vehiredanLEC?

AlwaysaskforanESA/ECRAlicencenumber.Andifyou’reusingageneral

contractororothertradeprofessionalwhosubcontractstheelectrical,makesureall

electricalworkisbeingcompletedbyanLEC.

Electricalworkcanbedangerousandisbestlefttosomeonewiththeexpertise,

equipmentandtrainingtodothejobrightthefirsttime.Notonlyisitasmart

decision,it’salsothelaw.

TolocateaLicensedElectricalContractornearyou,ortoverifytheoneyou’vehired

islicensed,visitwww.esasafe.com.

22 23

Whattodoifacookingfirestarts

Pot:putalidonit.Ifapancatchesfire,

carefullyslidealidoverthepanusing

ahighcuffovenmittandturnoffthe

stoveburner.Leavethelidonuntil

completelycool!Donotcarrythe

burningpantoasinkoroutside.

Movementmaypermitoxygen

tothefireallowingittoignite,

orcausehotgreasetospilland

causeburns.

Ovenormicrowave:keepthedoor

shutandturnofftheheat.Ifflames

donotgooutimmediately,call

thefiredepartment.Openingthe

ovenormicrowavedoorallows

oxygentothefireandincreasesthe

potentialforthefiretospread

beyondtheappliance.

Neverpourwateronagreasefire.

Watercausesgreasefirestoflare

andspread.

Knowtheemergencynumber

foryourfiredepartment.

Alwayscallyourlocalfire

departmentbeforeattempting

tofightafire.

Alwayskeepafireextinguisheratthe

kitchendoor.Knowhowtouseit.Only

useitifyouhaveaclearescaperouteand

thefiredepartmenthasbeencalledfirst.

Ifapancatchesonfire,putalidonitusingahighcuffovenmitt

KnowYourFireExtinguishersNotallfireextinguishersarealike.Theyaredesignedforspecific

typesoffire.Therearethreegeneraltypesoffireextinguishers:

ClassA–firesinvolvingordinarycombustiblessuchaswood,

clothorpaper;

ClassB–firesinvolvingflammableliquids,greases,gases,etc.;and

ClassC–chargedelectricalequipmentfires.

Chooseamulti-purposefireextinguishertoputoutallclassesoffires.

PreventCookingFires

Watchwhatyouheat

Cookingfiresarethenumberonecause

ofhomefiresandhomefireinjuriesin

CanadaandtheU.S.,accordingtothe

NationalFirePreventionAssociation

(NFPA).Mostofthesefirescanbe

preventedbyfollowingsimplefire

safetysteps.

� Neverleavecookingunattended;

twooutoffivedeathsinhome

cookingfiresoccurbecausethe

cookingwasunattended

� Keepthecookingareaclean;always

wipeappliancesandsurfacesafter

cookingtopreventgreasebuildup

� Donotstorecombustibleobjects

nearthestove;curtains,potholders,

dishtowelsandfoodpackagingcan

easilycatchfire

� Alwaysturnpothandlesinwards;

turninghandlestowardthecentre

ofthestovecanpreventpotsfrom

beingknockedoffthestoveorpulled

downbysmallchildren

� Wearshortorclose-fittingsleeves

whencooking;firescanoccurwhen

clothingcomesincontactwith

stovetopburners

� Donotoverheatcookingoil

� Cookingoilcaneasilystartafireso

neverleavehotoilorgrease-laden

foodsunattended;ifyoumustleave

theroom,evenforashortperiod

oftime,turntheburnerdownto

simmer,oroffcompletely

� Teachchildrenaboutsafecooking;

youngchildrenshouldbekeptat

leastonemetreawayfromthestove

whileolderfamilymembersare

cookingandolderchildrenshould

cookonlywithpermissionandunder

thesupervisionofagrownup

SafetyTips

Alwaysturnpothandlesinwards

24 25

Although elevators and escalators are extremely safe,

practising proper riding behaviour will greatly reduce the

chance of an accident. Make sure you know the facts.

Elevator and Escalator Safety

TheInsideScooponElevatorRescue

Thesafestplacetobewhenan

elevatorstopsorifthedoorswon’t

openandyouaretrapped–isinside!

Anelevatorisdesignedwithevery

possiblesafetyfeatureinmind.

� Ifthedoorswon’topenandyou’re

stuckbetweenfloors,neverforcethe

doorsopenortrytoexit;doingso

couldexposeyoutoseriousdanger

� Stayinsideandsignalforhelp

� Youcanringthealarm,orifan

emergencyphoneor“HELP”button

isprovided,useitforimmediate

two-waycommunicationtoqualified,

responsivestaff24-hoursadayor

tobedirectedwithina30-second

timeframe

� Remaincalmandknowthathelpis

ontheway

� Aprofessionalrecognizedbythe

TechnicalStandardsandSafety

Authority(TSSA)–whoistrainedto

specificrescuestandards–willget

yousafelyoutoftheelevator;such

trainedspecialistsknowhowto

safelyremovepassengersorrestart

theelevator

Followingthesesafedesignandrescue

proceduresisthesurestwaytosafety.

Remaincalmandknowthathelp

isontheway

SOINTHEEND,WHERE’STHESAFESTPLACETOBE?› INSIDETHEELEVATOR!

26 27

Ridingtheelevatorsafelyisimportantforyouandyourfamily.Whetheryouareontheelevatoratwork,inanapartmentbuildingoratthehospital,alwayspractisesaferidingbehaviour.

LearnmoreatElevatorSafetyOntario.ca.

TheUpsandDownsofElevatorSafety

Shop,butWatchYourStep

Whileescalatorsareextremelysafeandreliable,riderscanfallandbeinjuredif

theyarenotpayingattention,usingstrollers(whichareprohibited),playingaround,

oroverloadedwithluggageandbags.BasedonincidentsreportedtoTSSA,more

than90percentoffallsandinjuriesonescalatorsarerider-related.

Afewsimplereminderswillkeepyouonyourfeet:

� Steponandoffwithcare

� Standinthecentreofthestep,not

rightnexttotherailing,especially

whenwearingsoft-soledfootwear,

toavoidentrapment

� Holdontothehandrails

� Attendtochildrenandhold

theirhand

� Keeplooseclothing,suchaslong

coats,scarves,andshoelacesclear

ofstepsandsides

� Keephandbags,knapsacks,

shoppingbagsandparcelsaway

fromthehandrails

� Donotrunupordownescalators

� Moveawayquicklyfromexitareas

� Ifyouhaveluggageorastroller,

useanelevator

Itisalsowisetotakeacarefuland

courteousattitudewithyouon

escalators.Payextraattentiontosmall

childrenandseniors.Asafinalsafety

measure,itishelpfultonoticewhere

theescalator’semergencystopbuttons

arelocated.

Choose the right device - it will help you get to your destination safely.

V

28 29

Winter offers some of the most unique opportunities

for fun and recreation. Whether you’re skating, skiing or

snowmobiling a few simple safety precautions can help

you stay safe.

Winter Recreation

Alwaysusethesafetybaronachairlift

FirstTimeSkiersandSnowboarders

Topfivesafetytips

Discoveringandlearningsomething

newcanbealittlenerve-wracking,

butexcitingatthesametime.Whether

you’reoutonthehillsskiingor

snowboarding,learnhowtobesafe.

Here’show:

1 Dress appropriately:Dress

inlayersandavoidwearing

cotton.Remembertobringwater-

resistantglovesormittens,goggles

andsunscreen.

2 Get the right gear:Usetherental

shopatyourlocalskihilltoget

properlyfittedboots,bindings,poles

andskis/snowboards.Helmetsarealso

oftenrentableandrecommended–just

besuretoeducateyourselfonthe

benefitsandlimitations.Checkonany

mandatoryhelmetrequirementsbeing

enforcedattheskihillyou’revisiting.

3 Take a lesson:Gainsome

goodbasics.Mostskihills

offerlessonswithtrainedand

certifiedskiandsnowboard

instructorsthatwillhelpyou

getcomfortableontheslopes.

4 Follow the rules:

FollowtheAlpine

ResponsibilityCodeand

colour-codedsymboltrail

signs.Yourprimarysafety

considerationandobligation

istoskiandrideinacontrolledand

responsiblemanner.

5 Ride safe on ski lifts:Listento

theliftattendantsandbeaware

ofallsignsduringyourskiliftride.If

you’reunsure,lookforinstructional

postersandasktheattendantforhelp.

Forchairlifts,alwaysusethesafetybar.

Andremember–liftthebaronly

whenyou’vereachedthe“Raise

BarHere”sign.

Sowhat’sthelastthingtoremember?

Knowyourlimits.Skiingand

snowboardingcanbetiring,so

takebreaksandpackitinifyou

feelexhausted.

Fortheseandotherimportantsafety

tips,visitwww.safetyinfo.ca.Fora

guidetovariousskiresortsacross

Ontario,visitwww.skiontario.ca.

30 31

IceSkating

Canadianfamiliescan’tgetenoughofoutdoorice

skating–andtheyummyhotchocolatethatgoes

withit!Butbeforelacingupthoseskates,keep

thesetipsinmindtokeepyourwholefamily

onthesafesideofthiswintersport.

� Skatesshouldgivefirmanklesupportand

fitsnugly;foryoungsterswhosefeetare

growing,softerbootsarebetterthanhard,

unyieldingones

� AllskatersshouldwearCSA-approvedhockey

helmetswhenskatingbecausetheyaretested

forfallsonice.Replacehelmetsevery

fiveyears

� Checkthatskateblades

aren’tdullorrusted

� Teachchildrentoskate

onlyinplacesyou

knowaresafe

� CheckthattheIce

surfaceisingood

shapewithout

bumps,melting

orslushyice

� Checkfor

skatinghazards

suchaspebbles,

rocksandbranches

� Iceonfrozenponds,rivers,lakesorcanalsshouldbeatleast15cmthickand

20cmforskatingpartiesorgames;bewareofquickthaws,whichcanweaken

theicesurface

� Teachchildrentoskatewithfriends–neveralone–andalwaysinsafeareas,

awayfromtrafficandfreeofobstacles

PriortoShovelling

� Avoidstimulantslikecaffeineand

nicotinethatplaceextrastresson

theheart

� Avoideatinglargemealsthatplace

demandsonthedigestivesystem

� Drinkplentyofwater;dehydrationis

anissueinwinterasitisinsummer

� Dressinseverallayers;removea

layerasneeded

� Extremities,suchasthenose,ears,

handsandfeetneedextraattention

whenitiscoldoutside;placeascarf

orotherfaceprotectionoverthe

nose/mouthtoavoidbreathing

coldair

� Wearproperfootwear;bootswith

slip-resistantsolesoranti-slipcleat

attachmentscanhelptominimize

theriskofslipsandfalls

� Warm-upforfive-to-tenminutesto

getthejointsmovingandincrease

bloodcirculation;marchonthe

spot,climbstairs,orgofora

quickwalkaroundtheblock

� Afterwarm-up,performgentle

stretchesfortheback(i.e.

kneestochest),armsand

shoulders(i.e.bodyhug),

andlegs(i.e.forward

bendsfromaseated

position).Thiswillensure

thatyourbodyisready

foraction

Reprinted with permission of the Occupational Health Clinics of Ontario Workers www.ohcow.on.ca

32 33

ShovellingSnow–Safely

Snowremovalisoftendoneinarushtogettoworkontime,ortofinishasfast

aspossible.

Thegoodnewsisthat15minutesoflightsnowshovellingisconsideredmoderate

physicalactivity.Canada’sPhysicalActivityGuidesaysweshouldaimforatleast60

minutesofdailymoderatephysicalactivityofsomekind.

Thebadnewsisthatresearchhasshownanincreaseinthenumberof

fatalheartattacksamongindividualsshovellingsnowfollowingheavy

snowfalls.Thismaybeduetothesuddendemandthatshovellingincold

weatherplacesonanindividual’sheartandbody.

Whilenoteveryonewhoshovelssnowwillsufferaninjuryoraheartattack,itcan

begoodexercisewhenperformedcorrectlyandwithsafetyinmind.

Whoshouldthinktwiceaboutshovellingsnow?

� Peoplewhohaveexistinghealth

problems,orinjuries

� Olderindividuals

� Anyonewhohashadaprevious

heartattack

� Peoplewithfamilyorpersonal

historyofheartdisease,highblood

pressureorhighcholesterollevels

� Smokers

� Peopleleadingasedentarylifestyle

Olderindividualsshouldthinktwicebeforetheyshovelsnow

SnowmobileSafety

UsetheSignals

Followthenationally-approved

snowmobilehandsignalstoensure

safetyonthetrailsforeveryone.

PractiseZeroAlcohol

Alcoholisinvolvedin

over70percentof

snowmobilingfatalities.

Evensmallamountsof

alcoholcanimpairperception,slow

reactiontimeandlimitabilitytocontrol

yoursled.Operatingyoursledunder

theinfluenceofalcoholispunishable

undertheCriminalCodeofCanada.

Ifconvictedofdrivingasnowmobile

whileimpaired,youwilllosealldriving

privileges(car,truck,motorcycle,

off-roadvehiclesandsnowmobile).

NightRiding

Nineoutoftenfatalitiesoccurafter

dark.Slowdown,don’toverdriveyour

headlights.Becomingdisorientedor

lostismuchmorelikelyatnight.

Wearouterclothingwithreflectivetrim

onthearms,backandhelmet.Never

ridealoneatnight.Alwaysdressinyour

fullsnowmobilingoutfitevenifyour

intendeddestinationisjustnext-door.

DefensiveSnowmobiling

Enginenoiseandyourhelmetmay

impairyourhearing,sobeextraalert

fordanger.Neverassumewhatanother

snowmobilerwilldo.Yoursafetyisin

yourownhands,sowatchoutfora

varietyoftrailconditions.

CrossingIce

Ifyoudotravelacrosslakes

orrivers,knowtheconditions

beforeyougoandonlycross

followingmarkedstakelines.Carryice

picksandwearabuoyantsnowmobile

suitintheeventanemergencyself-

rescueneedstobeperformed.

ReprintedwithpermissionoftheOntarioFederationofSnowmobileClubswww.ofsc.on.ca

UnderstandingWinterWeatherHypothermia:Dresswarmlytopreventhypothermia.Coverupandlayerwell,makingsurethatnothingistootightorleftexposed.

Snow Blindness:Ridewithgoodquality,UV-protectedsunglassesoratintedvisor.

Wind Chill:Wind-proofoutergarments,extralayersandabalaclavawilloffersomeprotection,butkeepyourfaceshielddowntopreventwindburnandtoprotectyourskinandeyes.

Which child is practising safe riding on the ski lift?

SKI LIFTSAFETY

TIPS FORAnswers: 1. Safety bar down on one lift 2. Sitting in the middle of the chair 3. No headphones

and wearing a helmet 4. Poles correctly held 5. Scarf colour change 6. Pattern change on sleeve 7. Missing ski 8. Mountain goat CHILD A is practising safe riding on the ski lift, because of answers 1-4

tssakidszone.ca

Your furnace needs to be inspected annually by a certified heating contractor to maintain peak efficiency and protect your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide.

It is the smart thing to do and it is your responsibility.

Be sure to use a certified heating contractor registered by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority. To ensure a contractor is registered, visit COSafety.ca for confirmation.

Have You Had Your Furnace Inspected?

Helping you stay safeTheTechnicalStandardsandSafetyAuthority(TSSA)isaninnovative,not-for-profitorganizationdedicatedtoenhancingpublicsafety.ThroughoutOntario,TSSAregulatesthesafetyof:amusementdevices;elevatorsandescalators;skilifts;fuels;boilersandpressurevessels;operatingengineers;andupholsteredandstuffedarticles.TSSAistherewithyoueachtimeyougetyourhomefurnaceinspected,yourgasfireplacemaintained,andevenwhenyourideanelevatororescalator.

Toll-free:(outsideToronto)1-877-682-8772

Email:customerservices@tssa.org

CorporateWebsite:tssa.org

PublicSafetyWebsite:safetyinfo.ca

PUTTING PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST - ALWAYS.

Winter2016