14 Tips To Stay Safe At The Cottage and Campsite This Summer
Stay Safe At The Cottage and Campsite This Summer
Whether your idea of the good life is forging a path in the woods or power-boating around a lake, you can take steps to ensure the season gets off to a great start. John Marshall of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority offers tips to help you stay safe:
At the cottage:
- Check burners and the exhaust systems of your appliances for blockages or obstructions – such as insects, rodent nests, rust fragments or debris – that could lead to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) inside your cottage.
- Have your propane or gas-fired appliances such as stoves, refrigerators and heaters inspected and repaired by a TSSA-certified technician.
- Replace batteries in your CO and smoke alarms; test them to ensure they work properly.
- Check your barbecue for fuel leaks by applying a 50/50 solution of water and dish soap over connections. If bubbles appear, you may have a fuel leak.
- Remember barbecues are approved for outdoor use only and should not be stored (unless propane cylinder is removed) or used inside any structure.
At the campsite:
- Arrive with enough daylight for a safety check. Look for broken glass, sharp objects and hazards such as poison ivy, bees and ants.
- Ensure that open fires are permitted by local and provincial authorities. Clean up the fire pit and cut back branches or brush that may have grown too close.
- Use only paper or kindling when starting a fire. Be sure the fire is in an open area, well away from flammables and other natural combustibles. Never leave a fire unattended.
- Keep propane or kerosene appliances outside the sleeping area. Remember that camp heaters are for outside use only.
Fuel-related tips:
- Gasoline has only one purpose – to fuel an engine. Using it for anything else can lead to risk of fire, explosion or life-threatening injury.
- Use only approved fuel containers or cans for gasoline transportation and storage. Look for the Canadian Standards Association or Underwriters Laboratories symbol.
- Store containers in a detached garage or shed, well away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
- Transport propane cylinders in an upright position. Keep them well secured and well ventilated in the vehicle.
- Find more information at tssa.org.
(Source: NewsCanada)
