As summer rolls around, amusement parks are not the only places opening their doors for a season of thrill and fun.

With summer upon us, event organizers in schools, camps, townships, municipalities and shopping malls may be holding various events that involve amusement and inflatable devices like bouncy castles to draw crowds, raise funds or simply generate excitement.

Renting amusement and inflatable devices from licensed owners who drop off these devices on their customers’ premises can create safety gaps, such as failing to ensure these devices are installed properly and operated by trained attendants.  

Before renting inflatable devices, it’s important to be aware of the safety requirements you need to comply with and how to ensure the amusement and inflatable devices on your premises are operated safely. 

Photo Caption: Ontario Regulation 221/01 (Amusement Devices) does not apply if the rented amusement devices are operated in private dwellings (including the land upon which the private dwellings are situated) and used exclusively by the owner or occupants and their guests. Private events held in churches, schools and parks are not considered private dwellings. Amusement and inflatable devices that are not used in a private dwelling must comply with O. Reg 221/01.

As summer heats up, nothing is more thrilling than an exhilarating trip to an amusement park. Whether you're a roller coaster enthusiast, a go-kart driver, or a zip line adventurer, following safety guidelines is the best way to make your amusement park experience fun – and worry-free. 

Here are five ride smart tips to keep in mind for a safe summer at amusement parks:

1. Follow Age, Height, Weight, and Health Restrictions
Before hopping onto any ride, spend some time to read the posted age, height, weight, and health restrictions. Meeting the physical requirements for the ride's intensity will keep you safe. 

2. Observe All Posted Safety Rules
Each amusement ride has its own set of safety rules. Follow all instructions provided by ride operators and any recorded announcements or signs. These guidelines are meant to protect you, so always pay attention to them.

3. Secure Your Posture 
Keep your hands, arms, legs, and feet inside the ride or water slide at all times. Never stand when the ride is in motion and stay seated until told by a ride operator to exit. 

4. Use Safety Equipment Properly
Amusement parks provide various safety devices like seat belts and lap bars to keep you secure. Always use these safety devices as intended and never attempt to loosen or remove them while the ride is in motion. 

5. Avoid Using Phones on Rides
Avoid using cell phones on rides. Distractions like texting, answering calls, taking photos or videos could lead to accidents. Besides, phones can slip out of your hands or pockets, causing potential harm to yourself or other riders. Be sure to stow your phones safely, along with other loose items, including wallets, sunglasses, cell phones, and hats. 

Safety is essential for maximum amusement park fun. This summer, make sure you're the safety superhero for yourself and your family. Keep the excitement high and the worries low by adhering to safety measures on every ride.

TORONTO, ON, May 16, 2024 –   As Ontarians prepare to marshal in the unofficial start of the summer season, with BBQs leading the march, make sure to light it right when you light it up this May ‘2-4’ long weekend…..and beyond.

Get Ready. Get Set. Get Sizzling…safely by keeping these fuel-burning BBQ safety tips in mind:

Clean It, Check It and Test It 

• Clean all burner ports and tubes. Use a pipe cleaner or wire to ensure burner ports are free of rust, dirt, spider webs or other debris. 
• Examine the hose leading from the tank to the burners. Replace if cracked or damaged. 

• Find leaks by applying a 50/50 solution of water and dish soap to propane cylinder connections and hoses. If bubbles appear, it could mean gas is leaking out. Tighten the connection and/or replace the damaged parts and retest before using your BBQ.

Light It Right 

• Place your BBQ or grill on a level surface in a well-ventilated area. 
• Make sure there are no combustible materials near your BBQ. 
• Never lean over the grill when you are lighting it. 
• Open the hood and keep it open until the BBQ is lit. 
• Turn the gas release valve on. Turn on the burner controls or heat settings. 
• Take a step back. 
• Push the igniter button or use a barbecue lighter. 

• If it does not ignite right away, turn the gas off and wait five minutes, keeping the lid open before you try again.

Keep It Outdoors

• Always barbecue outside in a well-ventilated area – BBQs are approved for outdoor use ONLY. They emit carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that can lead to unconsciousness and even death. 
• Don’t position your BBQ too close to wooden or vinyl fences or walls. Make sure the area behind your BBQ is free of combustible material, since this is where hot gases escape. 

• Don’t use or store propane cylinders inside any structure.

Stay Safe

• BBQs are intended to be attended. 
• Never leave your grill unsupervised while it’s in use. 
• Keep kids and pets away from the BBQ. Position a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency. 
• Keep any flammable items/liquids away from the BBQ. This includes the use of hand sanitizers. 
• Never lean over a grill when it’s in use. 
• Don’t allow grease to build up on the burners, lid or at the base of the BBQ as this could cause a grease fire. 

• Never throw water on a grease fire – this will only spread the flame.

BBQing on a Balcony 

Ontarians living in apartments and condominiums should be aware of additional safety restrictions and potential hazards related to BBQ use on balconies. Barbecues may be prohibited by the municipality or in the Condominium bylaws of your building or prohibited by the building owner or property manager, so be sure you are aware of any restrictions in place for your building.

IF permitted to BBQ on your balcony:

• Your balcony must be open, with no enclosures or walls that could restrict airflow. 
• You must keep your propane cylinder on the balcony and connected to your barbecue. 
• Keep your barbecue clear of any combustible material. 
• Make sure the propane cylinder’s relief valve is at least one metre from any building opening. Also make sure it is three metres from any mechanical air intake. 

• When transporting a propane cylinder to your apartment or condo, you must use a service elevator. If your building has no service elevators, you may use the passenger elevator, but you must be alone in the elevator. 

For additional BBQ safety tips, download a copy of our BBQ Safety Tips brochure or check out and share our animated safety videos. For more information on barbecue safety visit us at www.tssa.org. 

About TSSA 

Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) enforces provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support, enforcement and prosecution activities. 

PARTNERING FOR A SAFE ONTARIO 

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For more information, please contact: 

Alexandra Campbell 

Vice President Communications, 

Stakeholder Engagement and 

Customer Service 

Technical Standards and Safety Authority 

Telephone: 416-734-6227 

email:media@tssa.org

TSSA Reports Significant Decline in Permanent Injuries for 2023 

2023 Public Safety Report Now Available at TSSA.org 

Toronto, ON, September 22, 2023 – In its 2023 Annual Public Safety Report, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) reported a significant reduction in permanent injuries within its regulated sectors for the 2023 fiscal year. The report, released during TSSA’s Annual Public Meeting alongside its 2023 Annual Report, revealed a consistently stable safety environment in Ontario.

“Our data shows the state of safety in the province seems to be improving,” said Viola Dessanti, Director of Strategic Analytics, TSSA. “While the results of the previous two years were impacted by COVID-related closures, this year’s number of permanent injuries shows a significant decrease, when compared to the five-year pre-pandemic average. We hope this is a continuing trend.”

State of Safety Snapshot

As Ontario’s public safety regulator, TSSA enforces technical safety regulations that govern the amusement devices, boilers, pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts sectors. TSSA's Public Safety Report presents complete and comprehensive metrics and results that inform its regulatory approach to enhancing public safety in the province.

During the reporting period (May 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023, TSSA’s 2023 fiscal year, which will be referred to as 2023 hereinafter), permanent injuries dropped by more than 30 per cent compared to the 10-year average.

TSSA categorizes potential issues found during inspections as either high-risk orders or safety tasks. Over the past five years (2019-2023), 90 per cent of periodic inspections found no high-risk issues, while 27.5 per cent of periodic inspections found no issues at all.

Enhancing Safety as an Outcome-Based Regulator

“TSSA has launched a number of outcome-based regulatory initiatives over the past three years that have improved safety in the province,” said Bonnie Rose, President and CEO, TSSA. “Compliance Standards are one of these efforts, which we have now expanded to cover more devices and integrated within our IT business solution. Doing so equips us with additional data insights to strengthen our regulatory oversight.”

TSSA introduced new Compliance Standards for passenger elevators (hydraulic and traction), ski lifts, and escalators in 2023. The compliance standards are designed to direct owners, contractors, mechanics and inspectors of these devices towards non-compliances that are highly correlated with risk and demand immediate mitigation by the regulated parties.

An active authorization such as a device licence or contractor registration is necessary for TSSA to have oversight of the technical operations it regulates. With the Enhanced Authorization program launched in 2021, TSSA has been actively following up on authorizations that haven’t been renewed, so that TSSA can track and follow up with those operating illegally. TSSA has resolved 93 per cent of lapsed authorizations in its initial two years. In 2023, TSSA launched a new initiative to address authorizations that had expired between April 2016 and April 2021, resolving 819 out of the 3,500 that had failed to renew, surpassing the first-year target. This initiative will continue into the next fiscal year.

TSSA’s Compliance Support program continues to assist owners, operators and contractors with high-risk devices and operations by working directly with TSSA to address their specific issues. This program has yielded promising results, with 87 per cent of the participants achieving improved safety outcomes and risk profile.

“TSSA is committed to strengthening our capability to collect and analyze data and strategically make use of those insights to target risk and improve safety,” said Rose. “As an Outcome-Based Regulator, we are focusing our resources on areas that pose the greatest threat to public safety and using all the proven tools to reduce the risk of harm for Ontarians.”

For a full picture of the state of public safety in Ontario, access TSSA's 2023 Public Safety Report at www.tssa.org. The report includes case studies depicting some of the harmful incidents that occurred in Ontario in the past year, as well as actions taken and lessons learned.

About TSSA

Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.

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For more information, please contact:

Alexandra Campbell

Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations

Technical Standards and Safety Authority

Telephone: 416-734-6227

Email: media@tssa.org

TORONTO, ON, May 17, 2023 – The countdown to the summer season is on and BBQs will be making their seasonal debut this May ‘2-4’ long weekend. As you prepare to light it up, make sure you light it right; the only fireworks you should be seeing are those in the sky.

To get sizzling keep these BBQ safety tips in mind:

Test for Leaks

• Clean burner ports and tubes; Use a pipe cleaner or wire to ensure burner ports are free of rust, dirt, spider webs or other debris.
• Check the hose leading from the gas tank to the burner and replace it if cracked or damaged.
• Test for leaks with a 50/50 water/dish soap solution on propane cylinder connections and hoses. If bubbles appear, it could mean gas is leaking out so tighten the connection and/or replace the damaged parts and re-test.

Light it Right

• Before lighting, make sure the BBQ is on level ground, far away from any flammable material, with the lid open.
• Turn the tank’s gas valve on, then the grill controls or heat setting and push the igniter button.
• If there is no igniter button, insert a long match or BBQ lighter through the side burner hole first, then turn on the heat control knob.
• If the burner does not ignite right away, turn the gas off and wait five minutes, keeping the lid open, before repeating the procedure.
• Never lean over the grill when you are lighting it.

Keep it Outdoors

• Always barbecue outside in a well-ventilated area – BBQs are approved for outdoor use ONLY. They emit carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that can lead to unconsciousness and even death.
• Propane cylinders may not be used or stored inside any structure.

Stay Safe

• BBQs are intended to be attended.
  • Never leave your cooking/grill unsupervised.
  • Keep kids and pets away from the BBQ.
• Keep any flammable items/liquids away from the BBQ. This includes the use of hand sanitizer, whose 60-80% alcohol-based content makes it highly flammable. While hand sanitizer is safe when used correctly it can be a dangerous combination when barbecuing. Keep this in mind, exercise caution and opt for thorough hand washing when getting ready to grill.
• Never throw water on a grease fire.

BBQing on Apartment or Condo Balconies:  YES or NO?

Ontarians living in apartments and condominiums should be aware of additional safety restrictions and potential hazards related to barbecue use on balconies. Barbecues may be prohibited by the municipality or in the Condominium bylaws of your building or prohibited by the building owner or property manager, so be sure you are aware of any restrictions in place for your building.

DON’T BBQ on a Balcony IF:

• Prohibited in the bylaws of your municipality and/or condominium.
• Prohibited by the building owner or property manager of a rental property.

DO BBQ on a Balcony but Only IF:

• Permitted in the bylaws of your municipality and condominium.
• Permitted by the building owner or property manager of a rental property.
• The balcony is open (no enclosures or walls have been erected).
• A propane cylinder is transported in a service elevator; when there are no service elevators, you may use the passenger elevator, but you must be alone.
• The cylinder is kept on the balcony and connected to the BBQ.
• The BBQ is kept clear of combustible material as listed on the BBQ’s rating plate or in the certified instructions.
• The propane cylinder relief valve is at least one (1) metre horizontally from any building opening below it, and three (3) metres from a building air intake.

For additional BBQ safety tips, check out and share our animated safety videos:

TSSA BBQ Safety Tips - Your BBQ Needs Your Full Attention

TSSA BBQ Safety Tips - Make a Clean Start - Test it!

TSSA BBQ SAFETY TIPS - LIGHT IT RIGHT

TSSA BBQ Safety Tips - NEVER BBQ in an Enclosed Space

TSSA BBQ Safety Tips - Taking Your Propane Tank for a Ride

For more information on barbecue safety and other safety topics, visit TSSA’s safety website at www.safetyinfo.ca

About TSSA

Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) enforces provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support, enforcement and prosecution activities.

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For more information, please contact:

Alexandra Campbell
Vice President Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
email:media@tssa.org

For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org.

Refrigerated ice surfaces — both indoor and outdoor — are an important part of Ontario’s recreational landscape. These facilities continue to expand beyond traditional hockey arenas and curling clubs to fulfil sporting and recreational needs.

Check out TSSA’s new advisory and learn how to safely operate and maintain indoor and outdoor refrigerated ice rinks that are run commercially or by a community or municipality in Ontario.

With summer rains increasing the risk of flooding, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) cautions Ontarians to be aware of fuels and elevator related hazards that can occur during flooding conditions. When flooding occurs, key energy infrastructures can become temporarily out of commission, tempting residents to turn to alternatives that may be unsafe.

Did you Know?

• Portable, fuel-fired appliances designed for outdoor use are never safe to use indoors – They can cause carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, fires and other harmful risks. 
• Generators used outside must be situated away from open windows, doors and vents – CO produced by a generator can seep into these openings. 
• CO gas can also accumulate in car ports, garages and covered patios – Never use portable, fuel-fired generators, propane BBQs and other fuel-burning outdoor appliances in these areas to prevent CO poisoning. 
• Drying a basement with commercial ventilating fans can create a ‘negative pressure’ environment – This can cause CO from appliances in the home to spill back into the home, so ensure there is proper ventilation during the procedure. 
• Using an elevator in a flooding building is a safety hazard – Water can accumulate in elevator shafts or adversely affect an elevator’s operation leading to entrapment or injury.

Visit TSSA.org/Seasonal-Flooding-Safety for TSSA’s full seasonal flooding safety guide. Residents and businesses unsure of how flooding conditions may affect the safeness of specific TSSA-regulated devices should contact TSSA.