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Red and white, fireworks and barbecues are only a few of the things that come to mind when you think about Canada Day. This July 1, Allstate Insurance wants you to celebrate Canada’s birthday safely.
“On Canada Day many Canadians gather with friends and family and celebrate the occasion with fun festivities that often include a fireworks display,” says Amy Woods of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. “But it is important to remember that a responsible party host or guest takes the time to safely prepare their fireworks display and ensures no one drives home impaired.”
To make sure you have a safe Canada Day celebration, Allstate has developed tips on how to safely handle fireworks and do your part to keep impaired drivers off the road.
Make sure your fireworks displays are safe by following these ten tips:
1. Read the instructions. Each firework device has different cautions, warnings and instructions. Make sure you read each package.
2. Check the wind direction. Set up for your fireworks display so the wind is blowing away from spectators, buildings and trees.
3. Keep back. Spectators should be at least 8 metres away from the fireworks display. Ensure all children are supervised.
4. Smart set up. Fireworks should only be lit outdoors, in an open space away from trees. Fireworks should be lit on a hard, level surface.
5. Be prepared. Have a bucket of sand, supply of water and a fire extinguisher readily available.
6. Sparkle safely. Sparklers may seem like harmless fun; however they can reach temperatures of 650C. They also remain very hot after burning; once done, they should be immersed in a bucket of sand or water.
7. Age appropriate. Only adults should handle and light fireworks. Children 10 to 14 years of age sustain 42 per cent of the injuries associated with fireworks.
8. One at a time. Fireworks should only be lit one at a time. Special effects should be left to professionals.
9. Don’t relight. If a firework is defective, don’t attempt to relight it.
10. Have fun!
Impaired drivers put everyone on the road at risk. Remember these six tips from Allstate to make your drive home a safe one:
1. Don’t drink and drive. If you know you will be drinking alcohol, have a designated driver, call a cab or use public transportation.
2. Keep your eyes open. If you spot an impaired driver on the highway, maintain a safe distance and don’t attempt to pass.
3. Report a suspected drunk driver immediately. Call local law enforcement from your cell phone, after pulling over safely, or from a pay phone. Give police as much information as possible — for example: license plate number, make, model and color of vehicle, and the direction the vehicle is traveling.
4. Be responsible. When entertaining your guests drink in moderation. It will be much easier to determine whether or not a guest is able to drive if you are sober.
5. Arrive alive. If your guests drink too much, arrange a ride with a sober driver, call a cab or insist they sleep at your home.
6. Be a great host. When hosting a party offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and serve food to help slow the absorption of alcohol. Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is over and never pressure others to drink or rush to refill their glasses when empty.
For more information on firework safety and how to be a responsible driver, or to arrange an interview with Amy Woods, Allstate’s official spokesperson, please contact:
Yasmine Kashefi
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 321
kashefi@thornleyfallis.com
