Four Ways to Enjoy Family Day Without Worry

For many Ontarians, Family Day is more than just a day off from work. While hanging out with family is the easy part, coming up with fun things to do isn’t always as simple. But we’ve got you covered.

Here are four suggestions that are fun for the entire family.

1. Cook a meal with the whole family

Meal preparation is a great indoor activity and way to spend time with loved ones, especially if it’s cold outside. But there are things to consider and plan before firing up the oven to make sure your family and home are safe. 

First, check the fire alarms on each floor of your home to ensure that they’re operational, and make sure that you have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of a fire.

Second, make sure kitchen tasks are age appropriate: adults should manage chopping vegetables and cooking with the stovetop, and constant supervision of young family members is highly encouraged.

Put in some sugar and milk, and you’re good to go.

2. Stay warm while outdoor entertaining

With the winter season winding down, there’s a chance that the weather may be more favourable this Family Day weekend — which means your family may be more inclined to get out of the house to enjoy each other’s company outdoors.

There’s still a nip in the air and that increases as the sun sets. It’s a nice idea when outdoor entertaining to have a heat source to keep warm such as an electric, gas or fire pit. 

Depending on where you live, outdoor fires may not be a legal option. Open-air burning is strictly prohibited in Toronto, and you may run the risk of having a potential insurance claim denied if you are found to be in violation of a bylaw. So, before you start building that firepit in the backyard, check your municipal bylaws to ensure you aren’t breaking the rules.

Safety is another thing to consider when preparing to host family and friends outdoors in the winter. A safer alternative to open air fire is a propane heater which does not require an open flame. These can keep you warm and safe without breaking any rules. 

However, these easy to use warmers also come with a range of safety hazards. Just like an open flame, a portable heater can potentially burn or set things around it on fire, which means the heater’s placement is very important. Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from anything that can easily be burned or catch on fire, such as trees, branches or the eavestrough of your house. Try to find a well-ventilated outdoor space before turning the portable heaters on.

3. Hit the road 

Skiing, skating, snowshoeing, and ice hockey are just a few ways to enjoy on Family Day. In most cases, you’ll have to drive to get to the venue, and it is good to exercise caution when driving in winter conditions. Plus, winter sporting equipment is high value and it’s important to keep it safe.  

Both car and home insurance can come in to play when you’re taking a day trip. 

Before piling your family into the car, make sure that your car is prepared for a safe drive. Winter tires are crucial to driving safely in the snow; they provide up to 50% more traction than other tires, and can shorten stopping distance by up to 25%. Winter tires offer considerably more traction than all-season tires when the temperature is seven degrees Celcius or lower. 

You’ll also want to make sure to completely clear your windshield of snow and ice. Not only is it important for safe driving, but it’ll also prevent you from incurring a pricey fine.

Lastly, make sure you’re gassed up. You don’t want to be stranded in a traffic jam or caught adrift without a full tank. For added precaution, throw some blankets and snacks in the trunk so you’re ready for anything. 

You may be surprised to learn that Onlia’s home insurance coverage extends well outside of the home. If your new skis or hockey duds are lost or stolen, they’re still covered under our home insurance policy.  

It might not seem like much, but such coverage can go a long way toward enjoying a worry-free day with your family.

4. Online gaming

Playing video games can be a great way to pass the time and stay warm, but even gaming on the couch has its inherent risks.

Today’s online gamers face a high risk of identity theft. In recent years, an estimated 12% of the world’s 820 million online gamers have fallen victim to a video game scam. That’s roughly 179 million gamers around the world who have had their identities stolen through an online gaming scam. 

There are several ways to help protect yourself from identity theft, such as using a secure online connection and only purchasing games from official sources. 

Identity theft is covered in an Onlia home insurance policy. If you or someone in your household falls victim to an online video game scam, Onlia’s there for you.

Recovering from identity theft can be tough, but with our home insurance coverage, you can rest easy knowing that Onlia’s got your back.