With the arrival of Labor Day, Ontarians everywhere will be having one last hurrah this weekend as the summer of 2011 draws to a close. With many parties taking place on the province's variety of lakes, Ontario Power Generation and the Ontario Provincial Police urge locals to celebrate responsibly and safely.
"Ontario's waterways are a great place to enjoy the holiday weekend if you are prepared," said Larry Beechey, who heads the OPP's traffic safety and operational support division. "Wear your personal floatation device, particularly in smaller boats, and don't mix your boating with alcohol."
To make sure Ontarians practice safe boating and driving habits, the OPP said it will maintain a high presence of heavily trafficked highways, lakes and rivers.
John Murphy, executive vice president of OPG, echoed Beechey's safety advisory, saying holiday revellers should be sure to stay clear of hydroelectric dams and stations while out on the water.
As the fall approaches, boaters may want to keep their watercrafts in a protected area so the cold temperatures don't damage their vessels. Jiffy Self Storage have units available that boats large and small can fit in.