Let the winter fun begin – but let’s keep It safe!

November 28, 2025

The snow is falling, the lights are twinkling, the baked goods are… baking, which means the winter and holiday season has officially arrived on campus! As you begin planning cozy celebrations, tasty gatherings, and festive office fun, the Office of Risk Management is here with your holiday survival kit of safety tips.

Before you plug in the twinkle lights or whip up a batch of cookies, check out these helpful (and cheerful!) seasonal bulletins:

Bake sales:
- Hosting a bake sale? Make sure your treats spread joy, not foodborne illness. Check out the Bake Sale Bulletin for safe baking, allergen info, and labelling tips. (Spoiler: glitter is fun, bacteria is not.)
Food at events:
- Planning a potluck or ordering snacks for a meeting? The Serving Food at Events & Meetings Bulletin has everything you need to keep your event safe and delicious.
Kitchen safety:
- Love cooking for your colleagues? Wonderful! Just make sure to follow the Kitchen Safety & Food Handling Bulletin. because nobody wants their holiday cheer served with a side of cross-contamination.
Office decor:
- Festive decor is encouraged, fire hazards are not. From lights to garlands to door displays, the Office Decorations Bulletin helps you keep things merry and compliant.
Gift exchanges:
- Whether you're doing Secret Santa, a cozy mug swap, or a white elephant extravaganza, the Gift Exchange Bulletin ensures everyone feels included and excited, not stressed.
Holiday celebrations:
- Hosting a team celebration? The Holiday Celebration Bulletin helps you plan events that are welcoming, respectful, and safe, so everyone can enjoy the fun.
Space heaters:
- We know it’s cold. We feel it too. Before plugging in a personal heater, check the Portable Space Heaters Bulletin for what’s allowed on campus (and what definitely is not).
Winter weather:
- Icy sidewalks happen. Snowdrifts happen. The Winter Weather Precautions Bulletin helps you stay warm, safe, and upright this season. Pro tip: Shoes with good traction > fashionable but slippery boots.

All these seasonal safety bulletins are available through the Office of Risk Management website. If you need clarification or support, contact orm@ontariotechu.ca.

Visit Human Resource's Awareness and Safety Tips web page for additional information.

Wishing you a safe, warm, and wonderfully festive winter season!

Contact information:

Office of Risk Management
orm@ontariotechu.ca

Have questions about this post? Feel free to reach out to the contact listed above — they’ll be happy to help!