With their vibrant colours and eye catching bursts, people of all ages watch fireworks in awe and tend to forget just how dangerous fireworks can be. It is for this reason that the Explosives Act, administered by the Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD) of Natural Resources Canada, restricts the sale and purchase of fireworks and recommends safety precautions.
In Canada, fireworks in two categories are allowed:
- Display and,
- Family or Consumer fireworks.
Display fireworks are only allowed to be set off by a licensed shooter and require the organizations to obtain permits.
Family or Consumer fireworks are those used by the general public. Those general use fireworks usually include, roman candles, wheels, fountains, barrages and sparklers and are designed for recreational use. However, still require risk management procedures be followed. Failure to have proper safety procedures in place may result in a fire being started or worse, cause personal injury or death.
Should a fire start you would be liable for the damages and may even be charged with arson and possibly fined under government regulations.
If you are going to shoot off fireworks for those special celebrations please consider the following prior to commencing your festivities:
- Follow the law- there are explosive regulations in place pertaining to fireworks, however each province, territory and city may have their own regulations. Please consult your local by-laws to ensure that you are following the law in your area. This includes any fire bans that may be in place in your area.
- Always purchase your fireworks from a reputable dealer.
- Ensure fireworks are stored properly in a cool dry place away from children. There is a maximum weight of 10 kg of fireworks that can be stored in a dwelling.
- Transport any fireworks in the trunk of your vehicle. They should not be transported in the passenger compartment.
- Set up fireworks outdoors. Never indoors. When possible have the fireworks shoot over water. If this is not possible ensure that you are in a clear open area away from buildings, vehicles, trees, dry brush or grass. Driveway, sidewalk or other fire resistive surface would be preferable. There should be a minimum clearance of 30 meters by 30 meters for aerial fireworks (ie: roman candles) and 20 meters by 20 meters for fountains and ground based fireworks.
- Check the wind. If the winds are strong it would be recommended not to shoot off the fireworks, however if they are moderate ensure that the wind is blowing away from all spectators, buildings and combustible areas.
- Have a water source nearby incase of fire ie: bucket, hose
- Read all instructions.
- For ground based fireworks to reduce the risk of grass fire it is recommended that you shoot on a hard flat surface. You could put a piece of plywood on the grass or shoot them from a pail or bucket of soil or sand.
- When setting off the fireworks ensure you have the proper personal protective equipment in place, handle the fireworks carefully and NEVER try to re-light a dud firework.
- Never be under the influence of alcohol while setting off fireworks.
- No smoking when shooting the fireworks.
- Most importantly keep children and spectators safe. All spectators should be at least 20 meters away from the area you are shooting from. Do not let children handle or play with fireworks. If using sparklers this should be done under adult supervision only.
Fireworks are an enjoyable yet potentially deadly or destructive event. Please take all precautionary steps to ensure that everyone has fun, enjoys the show and stays safe.
The return of Spring brings runoff - the melting snow, the steady rainfall... While you’re bailing yourself out, consider your insurance coverage. Water damage is the leading claim of all property claims; one of the nastiest results of flooding is sewer backup.
You’ll be relieved to learn that sewer backup is insurable, and it’s more important than ever to have sewer backup as part of your homeowner policy, largely because of the convergence of two patterns in recent years:
- More people are spending tens of thousands of dollars to renovate their basements into high-end living spaces;
- Weather is getting worse, and more unpredictable, in recent years. (Consider 2005 - the wettest year in Canada in 62 years, or those Ontario tornadoes in June 2010!)
But you don’t need to panic, we offer the following tips on preparing to meet any threat of water damage:
- Know exactly what you’re covered for when it comes to water damage; give one of our brokers a call. Sewer backup coverage is optional in most policies, and is relatively inexpensive.
- Inform your insurance broker right away when you experience water damage, and expect fast response from them. The longer water sits, the more damage it does to your property.
- If you go away, make sure someone checks in on your house regularly, even if there aren’t pets to feed or plants to water. Ruptured toilets and broken washing machine supply hoses are a common cause of water damage.
- Should the water levels rise around you, move any valuables - furniture and otherwise - out of the basement and lower levels of your home. During a flood, shut off the furnace, electricity and outside gas valves.
- Keep your insurance broker advised of any and all renovations you do to your home. While you’re at it, make sure you tell your broker about any changes to your home’s plumbing.
- We will help you learn more about the options available to avoid sewage backup, such as installing backflow valves and sump-pump drainage systems, and replacing old plumbing.
Have you been through the misfortune of sewer backup, or benefited from some advice or proactive measure to avoid the disaster? Leave your comments at the end here.
You know the old adage, sometimes you have to spend money to make money. But did you know that, when it comes to home insurance, sometimes you can spend money to save money... The following are some improvements that will decrease your homeowner’s insurance premium:
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Burglar alarm systems: They aren’t cheap, but having a burglar alarm system can get you a discount from 5 to 20% (depending on your insurance company) on your premium, depending on how sophisticated the system is.
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Update your wiring systems: You can save premium by having an updated wiring system.
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Update your plumbing system: You can pay up to 10-15 percen
t less on your homeowner’s insurance if you have updated plumbing.
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Update your heating system: A newer heating system is more energy efficient and less likely to overheat and possibly cause a fire or other expensive complications - all positives to your insurance company when it comes to your homeowner’s policy.
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Roof Covering: Windstorms, hail, heavy snowfall, or just the passage of time, leaves your roof at risk. It’s a good idea to invest in a roof covering made of materials designed to withstand severe conditions.
Be sure to tell your insurance broker that you have done any of these home improvements - not only so that he/she can see about getting you the discounts you are entitled to, but also to review any renovations that might have changed the value of your home.
Have you done any home improvements or renovations that can save you insurance money? Leave your comments here.
Unless you’re a legislator or lawyer, you probably get hives just thinking about complicated contractual agreements... and the Ontario Automobile Policy (OAP 1) is no exception. But you need to understand the contents of the OAP - aka the Standard Auto Insurance Policy - to protect your interests as an insurance policy owner.
If an insurer hands you a form, you need to look down at what you’re holding. Does it read OAP 1 across it? If not, you’re likely looking at a chargeable offense; the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) states that the use of a document in place of the OAP 1 form constitutes a deceptive or unfair practice.
OAP 1 sets out the rights and obligations of insured persons and insurance companies related to automobile insurance coverages, and the terms and conditions of those coverages. Some of its statements include:
Mandatory Coverages:
- Liability
- Required accident benefits
- Direct compensation - property damage
- Uninsured automobiles
Accident benefits were changed in September 1, 2010 with the passing of the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) by the Ontario government. These significant auto insurance reforms. gives Ontario drivers more choice in the range of accident coverage, such as medical, rehab, and attendant care expenses.
The OAP 1 document also lays out your optional coverages, including:
- Optional accident benefits as a result of SABS, noted above
- Increased third-party liability insurance
- Collision and comprehensive coverage for your automobile and its contents
- Coverage for rented or leased vehicles
- Specific perils, or all-perils, coverage
Of course, if you are working with an insurance broker, he/she will go through the Ontario Automobile Policy, with you line by line, and translate it into clear, plain English while they’re at it!
Have you ever stopped to think about just how much personal information your insurance company has about you, including your...
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Driving record (accidents, etc.)
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Loss history
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Marital status
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Home’s value and the value of its contents
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Financial details - including mortgage holder
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Employment information
Your information can be passed around, too; your insurance company can share your personal information with, and glean more information about you from...
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Other insurance companies
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Insurance brokers or agents
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Witnesses
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Medical professionals
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Professionals working for the insurance company - such as adjusters, lawyers, benefit providers
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Motor vehicle and driver licensing authorities
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Law enforcement officials
Fortunately, your information is protected, supervised by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada who oversees the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), which began to be applied to the provincially regulated private sector in 2004, including the insurance industry in Ontario. Among other things, the PIPEDA legislation ensures that:
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All organizations, including in the insurance industry, must have your full consent to give your personal information to them - either by telephone or in writing.
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The purposes for which personal information is collected must be identified by the organization at or before the time the information is collected.
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Your personal information cannot be used or disclosed for purposes other than that for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law.
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Adequate security safeguards must be in place to protect your information in the organization’s database.
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Upon request, you will be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of your personal information and will be given access to that information.
It’s important to know your rights when it comes to your information - especially in a day and age when identity theft and hacking is not uncommon. Whom you appoint to handle your insurance policies and claims is a critical decision - the more you know about the person/organization who will hold that role in your life, the better. Choosing an insurance broker is a wise choice; he/she is heavily regulated by the insurance industry, which of course includes compliance with PIPEDA and all other relevant legislation.
As you leave behind your income earning years, every little bit of savings helps - especially in light of a TD Economics report that Canadians retirees have more debt. In fact, the study found that the the 65-plus age group racked up debt at three times the average pace - in part because of the volatility in asset markets, pension fund deficits and declining employment pension coverage.
However, your advancing age can work to your advantage when buying insurance. Lower auto insurance premiums are a result of one or more of the following factors applying to most retirees in Ontario:
- You probably won’t drive as much in retirement as when you were working; lower annual mileage means a rate reduction.
- You are likely to own fewer cars, maybe just the one automobile for a retired couple, which reduces your premiums.
Discounts will vary from one insurance company to another; your insurance broker will make sure you get all the breaks you deserve as someone who’s been driving safely, and owning a home responsibly, for many years.
Author: Steve Rachkowski
Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches and Gougeon Insurance Brokers wants to make sure you are prepared for a safe and wonderful day with your loved ones. Whether you’re driving to dinner or to the grocery store for those last minute items be sure to follow these driving safety tips.
- Prepare your vehicle for February Roads
With the cold weather, snow and ice upon on it is important to check your vehicle to make sure it is safe to drive in these harsh conditions. Double check your fluid levels and make sure you have plenty of anti-freeze so that you and your car in good driving condition. Be sure to check your winter tires as well, the cold temperatures can affect your tire pressure as well.
- Have a Valentine’s Day Safety Kit
Incase of an emergency it is always a smart idea to carry with you essential supplies if you were to break down. A safety kit is the best way to be prepared and be sure to include items such as; a scraper, a blanket, a flashlight, winter boots, booster cables, a bag of sand for traction, a snow shovel, flares or reflectors, and some non-perishable foods (granola bars and peanuts). Be sure to throw in some candy and perhaps a thermos of hot chocolate that the two of you can share while waiting for help. For a full list and more idea's, download our Emergency Kit Checklist.
- Stay focused on the task at hand
By now, you have checked the maintenance of the car and placed your safety kit in the trunk. Now that you and your date are ready to go out, remember to keep you’re eyes on the road while driving. We know it will be tough to stay focused on such an obvious task but as you begin to notice the details of her outfit, the smell of her perfume and how nice her hair looks, keeping your eyes on the road may be more difficult than it seems. Remember, accidents take less then a second to occur and one of the most probable causes are distractions. As wonderful as a distraction as this may seem, stay focused on your driving and ensure you get to your destination in one piece. There will be plenty of time to compliment her on how beautiful she looks throughout the evening.
- Avoid the short cuts
When planning out the best route to get to your destination, try to arrange your route so that you stick to the main roads and avoid the short cuts. Main roads are typically plowed the most frequently and salted/sanded on a regular basis; shortcuts often involve smaller roads that have less traffic. These roads are often in poor condition and full of packed snow and hidden ice. Do your and your date a favor and stick to the main roads.
Following these safety tips will help ensure that your Valentine’s Day commute is a successful one. Be sure to give yourself some extra time for traveling to adjust to current weather conditions and always keep an eye on other drivers.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Gougeon Insurance Brokers.
The first ”report card” is out by the Ontario Automobile Insurance Anti-Fraud Task Force, which was formed as part of the 2011 Ontario government budget. Out-of-whack injury claim costs - five times higher in Ontario than in other provinces - are believed to result from high levels of auto insurance fraud.
In its December 2, 2011 report, the Anti-Fraud Task Force states, some of the following initial findings:
- The vast majority of the unexplained increase in accident benefit costs occurs in the GTA.
- The fastest-growing parts of auto insurance fraud are premeditated and organized fraud rather than opportunistic fraud (when an individual claimants inflate the value of their claim, not necessarily more than once).
- Some anti-fraud practices have already started happening, such as:
- The “Staged Accident Investigation” optional e-learning package for police officers developed by the Insurance Bureau of Canada and York Regional Police Service.
- A working group investigating a way to let health practitioners verify whether their billing identification numbers have been used without their authorization.
- In the future, the task force hopes to look into how consumers with little to no knowledge about Ontario’s auto insurance system are taken advantage of by fraud organizers - risking their own personal safety by participating in a staged motor vehicle collision for a small amount of compensation or simply have their identity stolen after agreeing to sign claims forms provided to them.
Four days after the Anti-Fraud Task Force’s report, the Ontario Auditor General annual report discussed auto insurance fraud, noting that the total cost injury claims in Ontario rose by 150% between 2005 and 2010, despite the fact that the actual number of injury claims rose only 30% in the same period.
What do you think should be some other next steps for the Auto Insurance Anti-Fraud Task Force? Leave your comments here.
Snowmobiling is a popular winter recreational activity in Ontario; in some northern communities, people use the snowmobile for the vital transport of supplies. However, higher insurance premiums may be causing many riders to park their snowmobiles, or cut back on their riding, especially over the past five years.
Another insurance obstacle that can face snowmobile drivers is the fact that some insurance companies refuse to issue policies for snowmobiles that have engines bigger than 700 ccs, as they are deemed to be prone to more serious accidents.
You must have liability insurance if you are riding your snowmobile off your own property, and your snowmobile must be registered with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation whether it is on or off your property.
Be sure to carry your registration permit and insurance card with you when riding, or you could get dinged by a fine of up by $1,000 by a police or conservation officer.
Happy Trails! Oh, and avoid driving your snowmobile on frozen lakes or rivers; not only is it unsafe, you’re not likely insured for any environmental damage you cause the body of water from leaking gasoline, oils and other toxic fluids from your snowmobile.
Are insurance premiums keeping you from enjoying your winter sport of snowmobiling as much as it used to? Leave your comment here.
“Hot enough for ya?” “Cold enough for ya?” Those classically Canadian greetings might as well be joined by “Windy enough?” and “Wet enough?”...
Extreme weather is more and more in our faces these days - and not just at the time of year when you get your snow tires put on, but throughout each season.
For example, Ontario had a record 13 tornadoes touch down in August 2011. If you live in Goderich, you know how devastating that was, with one person killed, three dozen others injured and more than $75 million in property loss claims in that town on the shores of Lake Huron. As well as wind damage other summertime dangers include wildfires resulting from extremely dry weather, and damage caused by lightning
strikes.
Old Man Winter brings with it the inherent risk of driving on the frozen lakes and rivers of northern Ontario, as well as the hazards, of course, of driving your car on roads coated with ice and/or covered in drifts, your vision impaired by driving snow - as it is by driving rain. Rain is also perilous because of the real risk of your tires hydroplaning on pooled water.
Violent weather obviously has a big impact on your home and auto insurance. The majority of standard insurance policies cover the perils of hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning and storms, which are considered “acts of God” - i.e. natural disasters that can happen anywhere, anytime and can’t be reasonably avoided.
Coverage for earthquakes or floods is not automatic in standard policies. While your home falling down due to a quake is not likely any time soon in Ontario, flooding is becoming a more regular feature of Spring thaw with nasty repercussions, including sewage backup.
Be sure to review your insurance policy and coverage with your insurance broker. Insurance brokers are trained professionals who respond compassionately to those who suffer damage and loss, including that caused by sudden, tragic events.
Has your home or auto insurance been impacted by extreme weather conditions? Leave your comments here.