Does your home have dangerous levels of radon? Here’s what you need to know

Radon gas in your home could be affecting your health, and you may not even know it.

The effects of radon gas have been studied extensively in recent years and are now definitively linked to lung cancer. Health Canada first implemented a radon guideline in 1988. Based on long-term exposure risks, in 2007 they reduced the safe limit of radon exposure from 800 Becquerel per metres3 (a Becquerel is a unit of radioactivity) to 200 Bq/m3. As a result of the change to the Health Canada guidelines, the Alberta Building Code was updated in 2014 to include requirements for rough-ins that will facilitate the future installation of radon mitigation systems, should they be required. Prior to 2014, there was no requirement in the Alberta Building Code to install these rough-ins.

The Alberta Building Code does not currently require houses to be tested for radon, and does not require radon mitigation systems to be installed (other than the rough-in for them). The City has staff that advise on numerous provincial and national building code committees. Through this work, we ensure that the latest radon safety issues are given appropriate consideration by code-writing authorities.

Since the only way to know what levels exist in your home is to test, you should purchase a do-it-yourself radon test kit or hire a radon measurement professional, and become informed. These tests come in several types and can be purchased online or from your local hardware store. They are relatively inexpensive and should be conducted over a period of three months for most accurate results. If the levels in your home exceed 200 Bq/m3, Health Canada recommends you reduce your radon levels.

So what is radon?
Radon occurs naturally in the environment and is invisible, odourless and tasteless. It is a radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in soil and rock. When it escapes the ground into the atmosphere, it is diluted by the air around us, going unnoticed. However, when it is escapes into an enclosed space like a basement, it can become concentrated and begin to cause problems.

Based on this potential health risk, the Alberta Building Code (ABC) requires that a radon remediation system rough-in be installed for all new construction projects. If you are adding to the footprint of your home, this will affect your renovation project.

Rough-in requirements for new construction in the Alberta Building Code

The reason the ABC requires a rough-in installation on new construction is to help with future remediation of radon gas if tested levels are above the recommended concentrations. It is important to know that the remediation of radon gas is a homeowner responsibility, and not required by the building code. Unfortunately, due to the nature of airborne gases, it is impossible to know if a future remediation system will be required. Mandating a rough-in at the new construction stage ensures that the greatest number of Albertans will have the ability to install a remediation system in the future if they require it. This is because installing a remediation system without a rough in can be costly and difficult to do in an existing home. When compared to the cost of providing a rough-in prior to pouring concrete, it makes sense to implement this proactive approach. The additional costs at this stage are minimal and require only a few modifications to normal building practice.

If you are planning an addition to your home you will need to provide a detail of the rough-in and label the rough-in inlet and outlet locations on your application drawings. The rough-in detail must include a sealed air barrier, an open end pipe to collect soil gas, granular material beneath the slab, and a capped/labelled stub up for future use. If after the space is built and occupied testing shows that the levels of radon are above the Health Canada threshold, an extraction system will be easy to install.

Vanessa Gash, LEED AP

Safety codes officer, building

Commercial plans examiner, Calgary Building Services, 

Planning & Development

Additional information on radon and its mitigation are available online at Health Canada www.hc-sc.gc.ca. If you have specific questions regarding installation requirements for your radon rough-in please visit calgary.ca/radon or contact The City of Calgary’s Planning Services Centre at 403-268-5311.

This blog was written by Vanessa Gash. Vanessa has been a plans examiner with Calgary Building Services at The City of Calgary for several years, and is a graduate in Architectural Engineering Technology from College of the North Atlantic. Prior to working for The City, she spent many years working in the commercial and residential construction industry in Calgary.

Quiz: Test your summer safety IQ

It’s officially summertime and the outdoors is calling. Get the most out of our city’s fantastic offerings by taking a few minutes to check your summer safety IQ.

On the water 

You’re packing for a day of rafting on the Bow River. You’ve got snacks, lots of bottled water to keep hydrated and plenty of sunscreen. What else do you need?

1. Weather forecast.
2.  A hat.
3.  Cell phone to call for help if needed.
4.  A life jacket.
5.  All of the above.

Carol Henke, Public Information Officer
for Calgary Fire hams it up.

While items one through three are all really good ideas, hands down, the most important thing to bring is a life jacket. Wearing a life jacket while boating, rafting or using any other kind of watercraft on waterways within city limits is required by law. Plus, it’ll save your life if you get into trouble.

Missing from this list is alcohol. It’s illegal to have alcohol on any watercraft and it will impair your ability to react if something unexpected happens. For more tips on enjoying the water safely and responsibly, check out calgary.ca/watersafety.

Into the fire

A friend is bringing over a guitar and you’ve got all the fixings to make s’mores over a fire in the backyard pit. You’ve checked calgary.ca/firepits to make sure no fire bans are in effect for Calgary. Your next concerns are your neighbours and staying safe. What can you do to stay on your neighbour’s good side and have a safe, fun time?

1. Only burn clean, dry wood to keep the smoke down and mitigate any environmental issues.
2. Stay with the fire at all times.
3. Request a playlist from your neighbour so your guitar friend only plays songs they like.
4. Keep the noise down after 10 p.m. and make sure your fire’s out by 1 a.m.

You’re super thoughtful if you chose number three, but appealing to your neighbour's musical tastes isn’t necessary. You do, however, want to make sure you’re complying with numbers 1, 2 and 4 which reflect Calgary’s fire pit and noise bylaws. There are a couple other requirements you’ll want to be aware of.  Please check them out at calgary.ca/firepits before you strike that match.

In the air

You’re enjoying the view from your friend’s condo balcony on the 6th floor. You’re a smoker but your friend’s not so she doesn’t have an ashtray for you. When it’s time to butt out, you:

1. Put your cigarette out in the closest flower pot
2. Toss it off the balcony
3. Ask for a bit of water to douse your butt before putting it in the garbage

The two definite no-no’s here are the first and the second choices. Flower pots contain flammable material that has caused more than one devastating fire in Calgary. It’s also incredibly dangerous to toss your cigarette butts over the balcony. You can’t control where they land or who they may  land on.

More on safely disposing of cigarette butts, or go to calgary.ca/homesafety.

Now that you’re summer safety IQ is in top form, join our Facebook event and tell us what you’re doing to get the most out of your summer safely and responsibly.

Submitted by Donna Bertrand, Customer Service & Communications

LEDs streetlights to brighten downtown core this summer

The City has finished converting over 30,000 streetlights across Calgary to energy efficient LED lighting. 99 residential neighbourhoods are now being lit up with LEDs from Current, powered by GE, and crews will be replacing streetlights in the downtown core over the summer months. Once the lights have all been installed in central Calgary, the program will be 50% complete. That means over 40,000 LED lights will be illuminating the city.

Calgarians can expect to see lights being replaced in the Beltline, East Village, Chinatown, and the commercial core after the sun goes down throughout the summer and fall. In November, the crews will move back to installing in residential areas.

Why the switch to LED? There are plenty of benefits to using LED streetlights, including:

• The whiter colour of the light helps make objects appear more clearly.
• The amount of spilled light is reduced, ensuring light is focused on the roads and sidewalks.
• Short term and long term reductions in costs, maintenance work, and energy consumption

Roads Director Troy McLeod encourages Calgarians to look for the new lights in their neighbourhoods. “Our new LED lights have made a significant difference in nighttime visibility, and these lights will save Calgarians money in both electricity consumption and lifecycle maintenance.”

In addition to better lighting, the conversion to LEDs will save the City of Calgary over $6 million in annual maintenance costs. Once the program is complete, over 80,000 LED lights will be installed, and energy consumption will be half when compared to the previous lights. That’s the equivalent of taking over 5,500 vehicles off the road.

For more information about LEDs, including details about the warmer light used in residential areas, visit the project page and FAQ.

Students learn how to keep #yycsafe at Safety Expo

More than 3,800 students will take over our Municipal Building Atrium to learn how to be safe at home, school and play for the 13th annual Safety Expo.

Making learning fun

Every year, Safety Expo provides registered schools and students with the opportunity to participate in interactive displays and workshops designed to help them make responsible decisions around their own personal safety at home, school and play.

Thirty two exhibits are set up through the Municipal Building Atrium including workshops on anti-bullying, fire safety, internet safety and outdoor safety.

Power in partnerships

Safety Expo remains free for students and exhibitors in thanks to partnerships with community, not-for-profit and corporate organizations who provide both financial and in-kind contributions.

Hundreds of contributors will participate in the two-day event, including volunteers, exhibitors, and presenters.

Committed to public safety

Learn more about best practices in personal and public safety or visit the websites of our various Safety Expo partners, or follow #yycsafe on Twitter.

Submitted by Dustin Rogers, Calgary Community Standards

Private-for-hire vehicles to operate in Calgary

You’ve asked for it and we’re delivering. Council today approved bylaw amendments to allow Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, to operate in Calgary. With an amended bylaw now in place, the only outstanding item is the Province’s approval regarding insurance policies that cover TNC drivers.

In collaboration with citizens, the taxi and limousine industries and TNCs, we have moved quickly to develop and approve these bylaw changes.

Going forward, TNC drivers can operate in Calgary if they have:

• An annual operating licence from The City of Calgary;
• Class 1, 2, or 4 driver’s licence;
• Annual Calgary Police Service (CPS) criminal background check;
• Proof of valid commercial insurance as required by the Government of Alberta;
• Proof of eligibility to work in Canada; and
• Proof of provincially-approved 134-point mechanical inspection conducted annually, or 50,000 km, whichever comes first.

These changes create the foundation for a robust transportation network. Our mandate is to support innovation while accounting for safety and reliability, with a customer focus. We know our fellow Calgarians welcome this new and safe option to our city and we are excited to go on this ride together.

Safe Transportation Options on the Way

That’s what The City is delivering because that’s what Calgarians told us they want. We are proposing new changes to our Livery Transport Bylaw that will create the opportunity for Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber to legally operate in Calgary. 

The City and Uber had issued a joint agreement in December stating that we were working together to develop solutions for new transportation options that are safe and reliable for Calgarians. Today, Uber told Calgarians that our proposed bylaws are unworkable.

The City believes that the proposed bylaw changes are workable and fair for TNCs. Here’s why:

• We believe that all TNC drivers must undergo a Calgary Police Service (CPS) criminal history check. These criminal history checks are the most thorough background checks available and include vulnerable sector checks (e.g. checks for pardons for such things as sexual offences) as well as national police information. Current taxi drivers must undergo these checks to qualify for a license.

• We believe that all TNC vehicles should undergo a provincially-approved vehicle inspection every six months, a regulation that our taxi industry already complies with. These inspections are widely available throughout Calgary.

• We believe that all TNCs should be required to submit trip data, driver availability, and trip volumes. This allows us to ensure that quality customer service is attained. In fact, this is something our taxi industry already provides us. This data has assisted the police in different types of criminal investigations and is another way to monitor citizen safety. The trip data also helps The City make good evidence-based policy decisions.

• We believe that insurance is a very important part of this equation and we continue to inform drivers, passengers and the general public about risks involved in using private for-hire vehicle services. The Government of Alberta has issued an advisory notice on ride sharing services and the insurance risk they currently pose to drivers and the public, noting any third party involved in an accident in or with one of these vehicles may not have insurance.

• We believe the proposed licensing fee of $220 per driver, per year is reasonable to help with the operational cost of enforcement. In addition, other fees include a Calgary Police Services criminal history check of $30, a vulnerable sector check of $25 (only if finger prints are required) and a vehicle safety inspection fee ranging from $140 to $179. TNCs have the opportunity to subsidize these fees or pay for them outright to support their drivers.

These proposed bylaw changes will allow TNCs to operate in a fair and competitive market. They address citizen, driver and passenger safety and support accessibility, reliability, fairness, competition and customer service.

UPDATE:
Private-for-hire vehicles to operate in Calgary

Reminder to stay safe around our many waterways when out enjoying our warm winter weather

Remember to be aware of the dangers with skating, skiing and walking on ice-covered waterways as you go out to enjoy the great outdoors and the warmer weather.

Skating at Bowness Park.

Stay ice safe

Even though the ice on our rivers, reservoir, storm water ponds and community lakes may look solid, be aware looks can be deceiving. Stay off the ice unless it is a City- or community-designated area.

Water level and flow underneath these ice surfaces changes constantly, which affects the ice in unpredictable ways. Moving water may cause ice to melt quicker and our varying weather temperatures contribute to inconsistent thickness in ice.

Where to get out and be active

But we know that ice skating and cross-country skiing are popular activities in Calgary. Check out one of these great locations to help stay active and safe.

Outdoor ice skating:
- The City maintains six outdoor rinks in parks through Calgary.
- The Adopt-a-Rink program maintains over 35 rinks through the help of volunteers.
- Community and resident associations also maintain rinks.
Cross-country skiing:
- Groomed cross-country skiing areas are volunteer-maintained at five Calgary golf-courses.
- Parks and schoolyards offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.

Check us out online for more information on ice safety

Find out about other great winter activities in Calgary.

Submitted by Sandra Sweet, Calgary Fire Department

Be ice-safe near Calgary waterways this winter

Sunny winter days are great for a walk along Calgary’s many pathways, but remember to stay safe when these paths take you past the shores and banks of our rivers, reservoir, storm ponds and community lakes.

Calgary is known for its unpredictable weather as well as extreme and quick temperature changes, which sometimes happen all in one day. These conditions create unstable and unsafe ice conditions on or near our city’s many waterways.

“Stay off the ice unless it’s a City or community-designated skating rink. It’s best to keep a safe distance from ice-covered ponds, lagoons, lakes, rivers or the reservoir,” says Public Information Officer Carol Henke of the Calgary Fire Department.

Here are more safety tips to keep in mind this winter when near Calgary waterways:

• Always keep a safe distance from riverbanks and lakeshores to avoid accidentally falling through the ice.
• Don't walk on ice-covered bodies of water, including storm ponds. It's difficult to assess the thickness of the ice and its ability to hold the weight of a person or animal.
• If a person or animal falls through ice into water, call 9-1-1. Do not attempt to rescue. Encourage the victim to kick and pull up onto the ice and roll, rather than walk toward shore.  

More information on ice safety.

Submitted by Bridget Cox, Calgary Fire Department

Lighting up your trees for the holidays? Stay safe and keep your trees healthy

It’s that time of year when you may start to decorate your home for the holidays. Lighting can look beautiful, but it is important to ensure your safety and the health of the tree comes first.
 

For your safety, we recommend you always:  

• Ensure you use outdoor lights outdoors, and indoor lights indoors.
• Ensure your outdoor lights have a sticker to show they meet CSA standards or are CSA approved. 
• Never string more than the recommended number of lights together.
• Know your limits when decorating. Make sure you have the right tools, such as appropriate ladder, for harder to reach areas. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it. 

Here are some tips to help ensure your trees are safe and healthy too:

• Hang the lights throughout the tree instead of wrapping each individual branch and/or trunk.
• Remove lights promptly once the season is over. 
• Electrical cords and items used to secure lights to the trunks and branches of trees can “girdle” them over time as they grow. Girdling occurs when wire or rope is wrapped tightly around the tree limiting the flow of water and nutrients.
• If you are using a ladder, be careful not to damage the tree. If possible, stand your ladder up beside the tree rather than using the tree for support. Leaning it directly against the tree can damage the tree and make it more susceptible to pests and disease.  
• When removing the lights, be gentle. Tugging the lights off may remove new tree buds or damage the tree's exterior, especially on younger trees that can be soft. 

Whose tree is it?

These are some tips for decorating trees on your own property. For trees on City property, there is a Tree Protection Bylaw, and the maintenance of these trees is the responsibility of The City.

Wondering if a tree on your property is a City tree? Visit the tree map.

For more information on what to do, how to get around and how to be safe during the winter season visit calgary.ca/winter.

Submitted by Allison Fifield, Parks

New guide aims to improve residential construction safety

A new educational guide produced by the Canadian Home Builder’s Association – Calgary Region in partnership with The City of Calgary, Alberta Occupational Health and Safety, and the Alberta Construction Safety Association, aims to improve public safety around residential construction sites in Calgary.

The Residential Construction Site Safety Best Practice Guide is an educational tool for home builders, trade workers and Calgarians that outlines the safety requirements and responsibilities at a construction site. It complements The City’s existing Practical Guide for Construction Sites and On-Site Construction Safety Best Practices, which focus on commercial construction sites in Calgary.



“The City’s Safety Response Unit responded to 1,156 construction site safety issues and complaints impacting public safety last year alone,” says Dennis Terhove, Safety Response Unit Supervisor at The City of Calgary.

“This guide will help to educate everyone about the safety responsibilities at a job site, which will help ensure things are done correctly. We hope this guide will help promote awareness and dialogue between home builders and the public that could result in fewer incidents and complaint calls to The City.”

Outlining key areas that might impact public safety, the new guide provides industry and the public with links to related Acts, Regulations and Bylaws.

“The guide is needed as a tool for communication,” says Georgina Nicholls, Safety Advisory Chairperson at the Canadian Home Builder’s Association – Calgary Region.

“It will communicate the roles, rights and responsibilities of workers and the general public so that everybody understands what is required. It will give them the links and the tools they need to be able to get additional information and ensure compliance.”

The new guide is available on calgary.ca, and reflects The City’s ongoing commitment to public safety via Alberta’s Safety Codes Act and City bylaws. It will help to limit the impact of residential development on both established and new neighbourhoods, and provides an overview of the principals of both public and property safety to home builders, home owners and the general public.

Don’t miss Disaster Alley tomorrow

This Saturday you are invited to the sixth annual Disaster Alley hosted by The City of Calgary! This fun, free family event, organized by Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), showcases first and other responders and gives you the opportunity to learn about how to be better prepared to withstand an emergency or disaster.

The day starts off at 10 a.m. with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Stampede Community Development Committee. Once your tummy is full it’s time to feed your curiosity with Disaster Alley opening its doors at 11 a.m. and running until 3 p.m. Both events are taking place in the east parking lot of McMahon Stadium (1817 Crowchild Tr. N.W.)

Who is going to be there?

For the past five years, Disaster Alley has become a family favourite, with exhibitors such as Alberta Health Services, ATCOGas, the Calgary Fire Department, Calgary Police Service, 9-1-1, and ENMAX.

Returning this year is STARS and HAWCS – you see them in the sky and Disaster Alley is a chance to get up close with both helicopters on the grounds (weather permitting).

Gibbs, one of two accelerant detection dogs working for the Calgary Fire Department, will be making the rounds and is always a hit with the kids. You can also meet our very own disaster response team Canada Task Force 2 (CANTF2) – one of only four such teams in the country.

New exhibitors this year include Corporate Security, EMS Foundation, and North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH).

Parks will also be on hand to talk about how to care for your trees after the September 2014 snowstorm. You can also pick up free mulch at Disaster Alley!

Why come out to Disaster Alley?

Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and guests will learn what simple, easy steps they can do to be better prepared themselves. This includes knowing the risks, making a plan, and stocking a 72-hour emergency preparedness kit.

Disaster Alley also helps close out Emergency Preparedness Week, an annual event coordinated by Public Safety Canada to build a culture of preparedness across Canada.

To learn more about being prepared or about Emergency Preparedness week visit calgary.ca/cema or getprepared.gc.ca. Join our event on Facebook to see who else is attending.

Submitted by Cara Katterhagen, CEMA

The slower you go, the more time you both have.

To kick-off two weeks of traffic safety education, The City of Calgary is celebrating both the UN Global Road Safety Week  (May 4 to 10) and National Road Safety Week (May 12 to 18).

 

As the weather warms and more people are on the roads, including more children and pedestrians; The City of Calgary is reminding motorists to slow down and watch for children, especially near schools and playground zones. 

 

Follow these tips to increase safety while driving or walking.

 

Tips for motorists

• Stop for all pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk – it's the law.
• Ensure proper visibility of your vehicle. Make sure your windshield and headlights are clean and don't obstruct your view.
• Drive at a safe speed and be aware of pedestrian activity around you.
• Never pass a vehicle at a crosswalk.
• Wait until the pedestrian has completely cleared the intersection before proceeding.
• Make eye contact.
• When turning left at an intersection, check to your left to make sure there are no pedestrians.
• Don't park within five metres of a marked crosswalk or intersection to maintain clear visibility.
• When turning right, check both ways to ensure there are no pedestrians nearby.

Tips for pedestrians

• Ensure you are crossing the street safely.
• Use the Point, Pause and Proceed method to make motorists aware you are trying to cross the street.
• Wear light-coloured clothing and reflective devices so you are visible to motorists.
• Never jaywalk between intersections or against a signal.
• Understand and follow signals.
• Research indicates that children under the age of nine should always be accompanied by a responsible adult or elder.

Follow @yyctransportation for more tips to keep you safe on Calgary streets this spring.

May 3-9 is Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada

If an emergency or disaster happened today do you know what you would do to stay safe?

Emergency Preparedness Week is dedicated to helping share information on how to take care of yourself and your families for the first 72 hours of a disaster if you are not in distress. This allows first responders to assist those who need it most.

There are three easy steps to get prepared:

1. Know the risks. In Calgary, we are subject to many kinds of emergencies and disasters. Disasters can be weather-related (flooding, hail, lightning, etc.), utility outages, hazardous materials release, civil unrest or pandemics. Listen to local media; follow authorities on social media, and sign up for the Alberta Emergency Alert app. 
2. Make a plan. In the age of speed dial, many people don’t memorize important phone numbers. If you couldn’t access important numbers, how would you get in touch with your family? Discuss with your family how you will contact each other if disaster strikes when you are not together. Know what your children’s schools’ emergency plans are. Know your emergency plan at work. 
3. Get a kit. Be prepared to take care of your family for 72 hours. Build a kit with enough supplies (food, water, first aid kit, radio, flashlight, etc.) to last at least 72 hours. Have your kit in a convenient place and keep it ready to go if you are asked to evacuate. You may be asked to stay in your home, but you may be without power or heat. 

More information on personal preparedness is available from The City of Calgary’s Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA).

Disaster Alley – May 9, 2015

You can get more preparedness information at Disaster Alley, Calgary’s largest preparedness event, hosted by CEMA. Join our Facebook event for updates and information.

Join first and other responders at McMahon Stadium on Saturday, May 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This fun, FREE family event features over 30 exhibitors like the Calgary Fire Department, Calgary Police Service, Alberta Health Services, ATCOGas, ENMAX, and many more.

New this year is a free Stampede breakfast to kick off Disaster Alley from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The Stampede Breakfast and Disaster Alley take place in the McMahon Stadium east parking lot.

To learn more about being prepared or about Emergency Preparedness week visit calgary.ca/cema or getprepared.gc.ca.

Submitted by Cara Katterhagen, Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA)

City of Calgary goes even greener and safer: latest Environment, Health & Safety annual report shows innovative leadership

With over 15,000 employees and complex operations in both field and office environments, The City of Calgary can have a big impact with the way it conducts its operations.

The City, in its 2014 Corporate Environment, Health and Safety annual report, highlights innovative ways it is reducing its environmental impact and ensuring the health and safety of employees. 

“As a municipality, we are proving you can still be passionate about protecting our natural resources while providing quality public service,” says Sharon Young, Director of Environmental and Safety Management. “It involves constantly looking for new ways to reduce the impact of our operations and making sure we are investing in the health and safety of employees who provide that service every day.”

“I’m proud to work for a city that solves problems and provides services for citizens in as responsible a manner as possible,” adds Young. “We have more work to do but we are making that investment every day.”

 

Some of the highlights from 2014 include:

• The City’s Green Driver program teaches City employees to lower their emissions through simple driving techniques such as accelerating slowly, reducing idling, and maintaining optimal tire pressure. With over 4,000 vehicles in its fleet, these small actions add up to big impacts.
• Through leak detection, The City replaced nearly 4,000 metres of leaky water mains, saving up to 16 million litres of water per day – the equivalent of the daily water use for over 41,000 citizens.
• Weeds are kept in check using specially selected beetles that feed on the foliage and roots, providing a natural and non-chemical form of pest control.

Visit Calgary.ca/Environment to learn more about what The City is doing and how you can do your part to reduce your environmental impact.

You can view The City of Calgary's full 2014 Annual Report on Calgary.ca.

Safety Expo makes learning fun

Visitors to our Municipal Building Atrium on March 11 and 12 will notice a bit more activity than usual as we welcome 3,600 students for the 12th annual Safety Expo.

Calgary Fire Department mascot "Sparky"

Safety at home, school and play

The kids are here to learn about hazards posed by fire, electricity and household poisons. They learn ways to protect themselves from vulnerable situations and how to stay safe online.

They also pick up practical skills like bike and tire repair. And they learn about social responsibility through presentations on anti-bullying and information on ways to positively influence their communities.

Power in partnerships

Safety Expo continues to be a success because of our partners and volunteers. The event is led by the Safety Expo organizing committee made up of City of Calgary and non-City event partners.

Student transportation to and from the event is free courtesy of Enmax. Volunteers share their time before, during and after the event to ensure all students have a safe and enjoyable time while they learn more about safety.

Learn more about our partners.

Submitted by Donna Bertrand, Community Services and Protective Services

Taxi safety tips for the holidays

Safe taxi taking habits are good to know. It’s important for you, the passenger, and the driver to respect the ride.

Tips to ensure a safe taxi ride:

• When hailing a taxi, be sure the driver and vehicle are licensed. Look for a taxi plate on the rear bumper of the vehicle. 
• The driver’s badge should be posted in a visible location and are typically placed on the passenger side visor. If you are not able to see it, you can ask to see it.
• Whenever you get into a taxi, take note of the cab number and company. Knowing these numbers will help you track down lost items or if you want to share a compliment or concern about your ride.

As of Friday, Dec. 12, The City has added 57 more cabs to city streets from the 126 taxi plate licences approved by Council on Sept. 22.

Administration and Council agreed more cabs on the road for the holiday season would mean better service.

The 126 taxi plate licences are mandated to be in service and available for dispatch calls on Friday and Saturday evenings, making it a little easier to find a cab during peak period times.

There are many different ways to get a cab:

• Try using an app to access a cab. Checker, Associated, and Calgary United Cabs all have an app that connects you with a ride. 
• If you call a cab company and get put on hold, don’t hang up and redial, stay on the line for faster service.

If you have a compliment or concern related to taxis or limousines contact us online through 311.

Submitted by Carissa Vescio, Animal & Bylaw Services

Helping you stay safe this holiday season

The holiday season is about giving and being able to enjoy time with family and friends. To help you have a safe holiday season, we'd like to share a few messages.

Report Impaired Drivers initiative

Public Safety Communications – Calgary’s 9-1-1 centre – has partnered with the Calgary Police Service and Mothers Against Drunk Driving for the Report Impaired Drivers initiative.

Drunk driving is an emergency. If you see someone showing signs of driving drunk, pull over where it's safe and call 9-1-1. Do not attempt to follow the driver or place yourself in danger. Once reported, we will take all impaired driving calls seriously and will send the appropriate emergency responders.

Prevent a house fire

Did you know the winter months are some of the busiest months for the Calgary Fire Department? With everyone using more heating appliances, lighting and decorations, candles and doing more cooking, the risk of a house fire increases.

To share important fire prevention and safety information, we've put together a short video with tips to help you stay safe over this holiday season.


Just a reminder, never leave cooking and candles unattended. More tips on home safety.

Prevent accidental 9-1-1 calls

Every day, Public Safety Communications responds to about 300 pocket dial calls. It takes between 30 seconds to 10 minutes to call back each pocket dial to ensure it is not an emergency and everything is okay. And if we can’t get a hold of the person by phone, we dispatch police to the location to see if there is an issue. This costs Calgarians $1 million each year.

So what can you do? Prevent accidental calls: lock and store your phone carefully. If you do accidentally call 9-1-1, please stay on the line.

Submitted by the communications team, Community Services and Protective Services

How to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide

As the weather gets colder, Calgarians are turning on more appliances that can cause carbon monoxide (CO) to build up in homes.

To help everyone stay safe this winter, the Calgary Fire Department is joining Alberta’s Office the Fire Commissioner and ATCO Gas to promote Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week , Nov. 2 to 8, 2014 and share important safety tips.

Simple steps can be taken to help keep your family safe from CO gas, such as:

• Ensure fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected by professionals every year before cold weather sets in.
• Ensure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, fireplace and other fuel-burning applicances are always clear of snow and other debris.
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
• Ensure all portable fuel-burning heaters are vented properly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• If you, or anyone in the house, experience symptoms of CO poisoning or your CO alarm goes off, leave the house immediately and call 9-1-1.

“CO gas can be very dangerous. It is colourless, odourless and deadly,” said Calgary Fire Department Public Information Officer Carol Henke.

The symptoms of CO gas poisoning are similar to the flu, including headaches, nausea and dizziness as well as confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and, in cases of prolonged exposure, death.


In 2013, the Calgary Fire Department received more than 1,800 calls related to carbon monoxide. During the cold months, including November, December and January, the highest number of CO calls were received, making up 33 per cent of the annual total.

More information on CO safety.

Submitted by Bridget Cox, Calgary Fire Department

Video series helps homeowners recognize tree health risks

Trees are critical to preserving and protecting the natural environment. They improve air quality, help retain storm water, provide homes and food for a variety of wildlife, and save energy. And, of course, they help make Calgary the beautiful city it is.

The September snowstorm damaged trees throughout the city to various extents. In some cases, only minor pruning is required to repair the damage. In others, trees are beyond the point of saving and have to be removed.

Video series helps assess damage

While The City of Calgary is not responsible for trees on private property, this video is the first in a series on what to look for when assessing a damaged tree. The video looks at four trees with different types of damage:

• A tree with minimal damage
• A tree with more than 50 per cent breakage
• A tree that lost a central branch critical to its structural integrity
• A tree with an open ‘wound’ and the risk of leaving it as is 

Preventing injury and damage

“No one wants to take a tree down, but sometimes it’s necessary to prevent damage to property or personal injury,” says Anita Schill, registered consulting arborist.

She explains that the health of a damaged tree before the storm is a good indicator of how well it will recover. Its survival also depends on the extent and type of damage, and the impact of damage on the tree’s structure.

Watch the first video:



Submitted by Donna Bertrand, Community Services and Protective Services

The City of Calgary and partners come together for Halloween safety

Halloween is a fun time of year – with costumes, pumpkin carving, parties, and trick-or-treating. To help Calgary families prepare for the fun-filled night of spookiness The City of Calgary has partnered with Calgary’s Child Magazine and Shaw TV to help promote Halloween safety. 

Together, the Partners for Safety will be out on Halloween night between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in more than 800 marked vehicles, including police cars, fire trucks, bylaw vehicles, ambulances and Shaw TV vans. These vehicles will be on patrol to provide a safe contact for any child in need of help. 

Trick-or-treaters can also visit any Calgary fire station or talk with a Calgary Transit bus driver if they need assistance or help. 

Safety tips for trick-or-treaters

• Keep an eye open for trick-or-treaters when driving on Oct. 31. 
• Choose or make Halloween costumes which allow your trick-or-treater to see clearly. 
• Avoid costumes that are too loose and could choke, tangle or trip, and ensure costumes are made of bright, reflective material.
• Always find out where your trick-or-treaters are going and when they will be home.
• Trick-or-treaters should remain in the doorway or on the doorstep, when trick-or treating. 
• Travel in groups and avoid short cuts through alleys, lanes or private property.
• Cross the street at intersections, after looking both ways to ensure it's safe to cross.
• Trick-or-treaters that are out after dark should carry a flashlight to help see and be seen.
• Check all Halloween treats before children eat them.

Decorating tips with safety in mind

• Use a flashlight or battery operated candle to light your jack-o-lantern. 
• If you do use a candle, do not leave the jack-o-lantern unattended and ensure it is well away from anything that may burn or cause it to be knocked over. 
• Keep exits clear of decorations. 
• Keep decorations, especially those that are highly flammable like dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper, away from open flames and heat sources including light bulbs and heaters. 

For more information, please visit www.calgary.ca/fire and follow the Partners for Safety on Facebook and Twitter. 

Submitted by Bridget Cox, Calgary Fire Department