Information
August 7, 1998
Kite flyers cautioned against use of wire strings - Consumer Advisory
The Product Safety Bureau (PSB) of HealthCanada today issued an advisory to caution Canadians against the use offishing wire or other types of metallic strings in building and flyingkites. This advisory is being issued as a result of the death by electrocutionof a Cobourg, Ontario man.
The man, accompanied by his 10-year-olddaughter, reportedly was using a fishing rod to fly a kite adjacent tohis home. It was strung with metal fishing line. According to police reports,the wind took the kite and fishing line above the hydro wires and it contactedthe wires. He was electrocuted and died at the scene.
Incidents involving electrocution havebeen known to result in brain and lung damage, severe bodily burns, andas in this case, death.
Health Canada's Hazardous Products Actprohibits the sale of kite strings made of a material that is a conductorof electricity. Health Canada also cautions anyone building or repairingtheir own kite to be sure not to use this type of material for stringing it.
Kite flyers are reminded that as a necessaryprecaution, they should ensure their kites are flying completely clearof all hydro and other overhead wires.
For further information, consumers shouldcontact their nearest Product Safety Office of Health Canada listed below:
- Burnaby (604) 666-5003
- Hamilton (905) 572-2845
- Edmonton (403) 495-2626
- Longueuil (514) 646-1353
- Calgary (403) 292-4677
- Sillery (418) 648-4327
- Saskatoon (306) 975-4028
- Moncton (506) 851-6638
- Winnipeg (204) 983-5490
- Dartmouth (902) 426-8300
- Scarborough (416) 973-4705
- St. John's (709) 772-4050
Meia inquiries:
Isabelle Sauvé
Santé Canada
(613) 952-3517
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
|
