Holiday safety tips
The holiday season isn't only a time of
happiness and fun in Ontario. Safety and smart-spending
experts at the province's Ministry of Consumer
and Commercial Relations say it is the time of year
with the highest incidence of careless accidents and
financial mishaps. Whether your holiday plans include a
trip to a northern ski chalet or a couple of quiet
evenings at home by the fire, remembering these tips
can help make your season safer.
- Emergency kits should be stocked
up. Snow season means fun, but it's
also the time of year when it is most important for
your home and car emergency kits to be complete. For
information on stocking your kit call the
ministry's General Inquiry Unit. The telephone
number is given at the end of the article.
- Fireplaces should be cleaned every
year. Any fuel-burning system that is not
operating properly can become a source of deadly
carbon monoxide gas. In the case of a fireplace, if
the damper is closed before the fire is completely
extinguished or the chimney is blocked by creosote,
carbon monoxide can enter the house. It can cause
headaches, nausea, dizziness and in severe cases,
even death.
- A smoke screen, smoke detectors and a
Class A fire extinguisher should all be on hand near
a fireplace. Also, a window near the
fireplace should be left slightly ajar to make sure
the fire gets enough air to burn well. And never burn
anything but dry kindling, seasoned wood—hard
wood is best—and newspaper. Christmas wrapping
paper and cardboard boxes create a lot of creosote
when burned, which can easily result in a chimney
fire.
- Only use Christmas lights and decorations
that meet Canadian safety standards. They
will carry the seal of approval of a standards
organization. Test your lights
before you string them each year, discarding worn
strands and replacing burnt-out bulbs.
- Before making donations check charities
by asking questions about who benefits and what
percentage of the proceeds go to the
charity. Legitimate charitable organizations
will be glad to answer your questions in
writing.
- Be especially cautious if you're
approached over the telephone or at your door by
someone who wants a donation on the spot or who says
you've won a prize. Telemarketing and
door-to-door fraud cost consumers millions of dollars
each year. If you suspect a scam, hang up or show
them the door. Don't let anyone into your house
unless you've made an appointment in advance
and they can show you identification. And whether
it's a charitable donation or a purchase,
don't give out your credit card number over the
telephone unless you know the company's
reputation and have placed the call yourself.
For information on emergency kits, many other topics
of consumer interest or to report unethical behavior in
the marketplace call the Ministry of Consumer and
Commercial Relations' General Inquiry Unit at
(416) 326-8555 in Toronto or at toll free 1 (800)
268-1142. Special electronic equipment for the hard of
hearing and people with speech difficulties is
available by pressing (416) 326-8566. Or visit the
ministry Web site at www.cbs.gov.on.ca
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