The May long weekend is almost here, marking the unofficial start to summer and outdoor activities. Whether you’re packing up and heading north or laying low in the city, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group, a leading certification and testing organization, shares its Top 10 Tips for playing it safe throughout the season.
1. Step away from the tent
Fuel-burning camping equipment such as stoves, lanterns and outdoor cookers should only be lit outdoors and should be at least three meters from tents, combustible materials and vehicles. Before use, carefully inspect parts for leaks, blockages or damage.
2. Fresh air
Never light a stove or lantern indoors, in a tent or in a vehicle, and never use a barbecue in a garage! Ever. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, fuel-burning equipment should only be used in well-ventilated areas.
3. Hot is not cool
Keep loose, flammable clothing away from open flames and carefully monitor children and pets around stoves and lanterns. Before packing up equipment, make sure it is completely turned off and cool to the touch.
4. Water-wise
Always wear a personal flotation device and never consume alcohol or intoxicants before or while operating a watercraft – or any vehicle.
5. Be alarmed
Ensure that certified carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are tested and properly installed outside all sleeping areas of your cabin, cottage or boat.
6. Those Wascally Wodents
When opening your cabin, cottage or rustic retreat for the season, carefully inspect all appliances and wiring for damage from rodents or insects.
7. Just in case
Ensure boats, cabins and cottages are equipped with proper safety equipment in the event of an emergency, including first aid kits and fire extinguishers.
8. Make a clean start
Before firing up the grill for the first time this season, carefully inspect burners and burner tubes for blockages due to dirt, grease, insects, nests or rust build-up. Clean or replace any blocked parts or have a certified technician make repairs. And remember: propane tanks must be inspected and re-qualified every 10 years in Canada. A date stamp on the cylinder indicates when it was last qualified. If yours has passed its best before date, recycle it properly.
9. Blowing bubbles
To make sure there are no gas leaks, rub a 50/50 solution of soap and water onto the gas hose, fittings and connections and turn the gas on at the tank but not the burners. Any leaks will produce bubbles. Tighten the fittings if required and replace any damaged hoses or fittings.
10. Tanks a lot
When purchasing or installing a gas barbecue, make sure that it carries the appropriate accreditation mark, such as the CSA Group Certification Star Mark, indicating that it meets applicable national standards.
