Winter Safety

Accidental injury ranks as one of Canada's most pressing health problems. Much of the resource of our country's health-care system is devoted to attending to injury victims. Hospital beds and emergency room facilities could be put to better use if more people practiced safety measures. Please be safe.

Home Fires/Burns:

Turn all pot handles inward on the stove so they won't be accidentally bumped or grabbed by children.
Handle all microwave containers as if they were hot.
Many fires begin when food is left unattended on the stove.
Clean up clutter around the stove.
Shut off all appliances immediately after use.

Adverse Travel Conditions:

Carry emergency equipment in your vehicle, including a snow shovel, battery jumper cables, a bag of sand or traction pads, a towing cable, flares, a complete set of warm clothing and boots, a blanket and a few candles.
Beware of "black ice", a thin layer of ice that is often invisible.
Keep all windows clear of snow and ice.
Tell someone about your travel plans.

Falls:

Keep outside steps, sidewalks and driveways free of ice and snow.
Use ladders, not stools or chairs, to reach for things.
Keep stairs clear of clutter.
Keep electrical cords and wires away from traffic areas.
Clear away toys, boxes, papers, etc. from the floor.

Appliances:

Keep appliances clean and in good working order.
Read operating instructions before using a new appliance.
If a switch or electrical outlet doesn't work properly, don't use it until you find what is wrong and correct it.
Make sure all electrical appliances bear the label of a testing agency, e.g., the Canadian Standard Association.
Do not ever handle electrical appliances in wet surroundings.
Remove the plug from the outlet when cleaning and repairing any appliances.

Tobogganing/Sledding:

Check equipment for splinters or rough edges and sand them down.
Roll sideways off a fast-moving sled if you must abandon it.
Wear head protection, e.g., bicycle/hockey helmets.
Never sled on a street or down a hill that ends at a street.
Check unfamiliar sledding areas for hidden hazards, e.g., tree stumps.
Single sledding is safer than double sledding.
Sled during daylight hours only.