Use care, common sense this Victoria Day weekend
The Victoria Day weekend looms. Many residents will head north for a weekend of camping and cottaging; others will stay close to home and enjoy the happenings right here in their own neighbourhoods.
And many of those families will include a box of colourful - and potentially dangerous - fireworks to mark the occasion.
To ensure that the weekend isn't marred by tragedy, we remind residents of the hazards related to explosive and flammable materials, even those designed to entertain. As any emergency services worker in Toronto can attest, one second of carelessness can lead to a lifetime of regret.
The 2007 Victoria Day weekend, it must be noted, saw police investigate different incidents involving youths firing roman candles directly at one another and at passing cars. One youth was sent to hospital after being struck with one of the fiery balls after being deliberately targeted.
As well, OPP and Toronto law enforcement officers were kept busy with aggressive motorists, those who chose to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, and overzealous boaters anxious to get out onto the water.
Let safety and common sense be your guide this weekend as you welcome the summer season.
Make sure you follow the instructions that accompany your package of fireworks. Light them in a clear area, keep a bucket of water nearby and never let children light the fuses.
On the road this weekend, we ask that you be courteous and patient so that everyone can get to their destinations safely and soak up some of the early summer sun. Buckle up, make sure your car or truck or recreation vehicle is in a good state of repair, and forego the alcohol until you are dockside or around the campfire.
If swimming is part of your weekend plan, be sure to use the buddy system, never leave children unattended near open water, always be aware of your surroundings and use common sense to avoid tragedy.
The Victoria Day weekend should be all about celebration and summer sun. Take the necessary steps to ensure that your weekend is one to remember because it provided lasting, cheerful memories and not because you or your loved ones had to confront tragedy. Be careful. Be mindful. Enjoy.
