Planning to head this Victoria day weekend, you better read this first from the Hamilton Spectator.
Oh, the hazards of the Victoria Day weekend!
Don't even bother to get out of bed.
You've been anticipating this, the first long weekend of the summer, for months now.
There are flowers to plant, beer to drink and maybe a cottage to open.
But beware: there are tigers on the loose, mosquito-bitten crows falling out of the sky, gas pump prices being jacked up and vehicle parts flying about.
And you'll be hit with an onslaught of dire warnings from every conceivable authority, safety council and special interest group if you dare enjoy yourself.
Ontario Minister of Transportation Harinder Takhar is the lead spoiler.
He warns us he has imposed new fines for mirrors, mufflers, windshield wipers or tires falling off your car or trailer.
"Flying vehicle parts can cause fatalities, injuries and property damage," his statement warns. "About 33 per cent of road debris is vehicle- related."
That means fines up to $2,000 for passenger cars and $20,000 for commercial vehicles and a possible licence suspension.
Motorists seeing a flying vehicle part are asked to call the OPP who will be out with their usual holiday weekend blitz against unsafe drivers.
Do we not get a weekend off from OPP Sergeant Cam Wooley's hyperbole?
The OPP detachment in North Bay is warning motorists to keep an eye out for moose and other animals on the roads in resort country.
There were 1,225 collisions involving deer, moose and bears in northeastern Ontario last year. "Bears can move quickly and bolt into your path," the OPP warns.
The Toronto office of the World Society for the Protection of Animals is warning about tigers mauling you at various roadside and tourist zoos.
Since last July, there have been five escapes by captive wildlife reported in Ontario.
And now's the time to stock up on mosquito repellent and start looking for dead crows infected by West Nile disease.
Fire departments are warning about the dangers of careless use of fireworks.
Not that there's much risk of setting the sky ablaze with a 70 per cent chance of rain on the weekend and forecasts of cloudy conditions.
The forecast is better for Monday on the highway-congested drive home, but not until Tuesday, when people are back at work, is there no chance of rain.
Sarah Wong, the warning preparedness meteorologist at Environment Canada, says it's going to take a few more days for the current cold, low pressure system with its grey clouds and rain to clear. "Eventually, conditions will improve by the end of the weekend," she said. "We have to suffer a bit."
With the wet weather, conservation authorities warn people to be on the lookout for swollen creeks.
The Ministry of the Environment is forecasting good air quality and no serious pollution on the weekend.
But don't fall off the roof while cleaning your rain gutters at home or at the cottage.
And avoid straining your back lifting flats of flowers that you waited to plant because of the traditional warning of frost up until Victoria Day.
Just about everybody, including the Aussie wine-hyping folks at the LCBO, are warning about drinking and driving.
"The Victoria Day long weekend has become synonymous with partying, outdoor activities and drinking, a combination that could be potentially dangerous for guests and hosts alike," says the joint statement from the Ontario Public Health Associations, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Their sober warning says that despite a recent ruling by Canada's Supreme Court, there are circumstances where an irresponsible host can still be held liable for alcohol-related injuries and deaths.
And Ontario's Provincial Parks warns no alcohol is allowed this weekend in their most popular party parks.
Keep those bed covers pulled up, too.
Even the Better Sleep Council of Ontario has hired pollsters to survey people about their plans this weekend so that they are aware of sleep-deprivation hazards associated with travelling, renovating and partying.
Those pollsters found that in Ontario this weekend, 5 per cent will travel a long distance, 15 per cent will visit a cottage or cabin, 15 per cent will host or attend a party, 17 per cent will eat and drink too much, 22 per cent will attend fireworks or other events, 27 per cent will garden and 27 per cent will renovate.
But 34 per cent of Ontarians expected to sleep in and get extra rest.
Kathryn White, an expert on risk communication, is part of those weekend statistics.
She will be driving to a family reunion but plans to leave early from her eastern Ontario home because it's "a risky weekend with more of us on the road."
There is a risk of giving people too many warnings, because the warnings may end up being ignored, said White, the president of Black and White Communications.
Research has found that the best approach is to give people affirmative "Do's" rather the "Don'ts," she said.
In a storm, people are likely to ignore a warning to stay off the roads, but they will heed requests to check for fallen wires and to check on neighbours to see if they are OK, White said.
And getting on the highways to go to a reunion is also affirmative, she said, "because there is a grave risk to human beings when we don't connect and create bonds with families."
"Have a great weekend," she added.
SOME 'DO'S' FOR SAFE PARTYING FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATIONS
* Avoid dangerous activities such as boating and swimming if you are drinking.
* Check the premises for potential hazards. Even minor changes, such as locking the gate to your pool, can significantly reduce risks .
* Make food available. Guests who have eaten absorb alcohol at a slower rate than those who have not eaten.
* Offer your guests non-alcohol drinks and low-alcohol drinks.
* Be attentive of your guests.
* Arrange for safe transportation for someone who has been drinking.
* Prepare for overnight guests. Arrange for a guest who may be intoxicated to stay the night.
Ah crap, I might as well stay home and enjoy my weekend off, got to work Monday(time and a half! cha ching!). Oh waite, I'm sure there's a grim statistic and warning for deck chair and BBQ accidents. Oh well, have fun.
Later,
Kenaz
