The Great Escape

TORONTO, July 29 /CNW/ - Make the most of your long weekend escape by following these quick and helpful tips.

    
    Barbecuing

    -   Tune it up. Clean burner ports and tubes. Check the hose attached to
        the gas tank for cracks or damages and test for leaks with a 50/50
        water/soap solution. If bubbles appear - there's a leak.
    -   Keep it outdoors. Always barbecue outside in a well-ventilated area,
        with the BBQ at least three feet away from the house.
    -   Light it right. Before lighting, make sure the BBQ is on level
        ground, far away from any flammable material, with the hood open.
        Turn the tank's gas release valve on, then the grill controls and
        take a step back.

    Camping

    -   Keep warm safely. During cool nights, do not use portable fuel-fired
        heaters in an enclosed space like a tent or camper. This will cause
        life-threatening exposure to carbon monoxide (CO).
    -   Be fire safe. If open fires are permitted, keep it well away from
        flammables and other natural combustibles. Never leave a fire
        unattended.
    -   Check things out. Arrive at the campsite in daylight to check for
        sharp objects and natural hazards such as poison ivy, bees, ants and
        fallen branches.

    RV-Trailer Use

    -   Keep air moving. Never block the combustion exhaust vent on the
        external wall of your trailer - this will avoid dangerous levels of
        CO build-up.

    -   Be alarmed. Install CO and propane leak alarms. Test them to ensure
        they are working properly and replace batteries as necessary.
    -   Put propane in its place. Use the appropriate spaces for storage and
        transportation of propane cylinders.
    

If one of your Civic holiday stops happens to be a local LCBO store, look for TSSA's latest SummerSmart brochure for further safety tips on cottaging, barbecuing, camping and RV use. You can also check it out on our website - www.safetyinfo.ca.

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is an innovative, not-for-profit organization focused on delivering public safety services. It provides regulatory safety services in industry sectors such as fuels, amusement devices, elevating devices, ski lifts, boilers and pressure vessels, operating engineers, and upholstered and stuffed articles. The organization's vision is to be the world leader in public safety services.

For further information: Bernadette Celis, Communications Advisor, Public Education, Public Relations and Communications, TSSA, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org.