January | February | March | April | May | June | July
August | September | October | November | December
JANUARY -
Falls in the Home
More people are injured in the home as a result
of a fall than any other kind of accident. Unfortunately,
many of these so-called accidents could have been
prevented, since they are the result of hazardous
conditions or unsafe acts. It's a never-ending job, but
we need to always be on the alert for:
- Wet floors, especially in
the bathroom.
- Slippery surfaces in the tub
or shower.
- Loose scatter rugs.
- Items like toys or clothes
on the floor or stairway.
- Children climbing on
furniture and appliances.
- Children jumping on a bed.
Together,
we can make our children's world a safer place.
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FEBRUARY -
Poisons
As our children mature through their elementary
school years they become much more independent. It is
very important that we follow a few guidelines to protect
them from accidental poisoning:
- Always store poisonous
substances in their original containers, and out
of the reach of small children.
- Teach children how to use
cleaning products, glues and craft supplies
carefully, and explain any dangers or warning
symbols.
- Limit a child's access to
prescription drugs or medications to only what
they will need that day.
- Dispose of any poisonous
substances in your home that you no longer use.
- Children have curious minds
and like to experiment. Don't let them turn your
home into a chemistry lab by mixing substances
together.
The
Poison Centre phone number is 1-800-332-1414. By using
preventive measures like these, we hope that you never
need it.
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MARCH -
Streetproofing
During the months of February and March, Safety City
instructors will talk to thousands of children about
staying safe when they are away from you, their parents.
Our 30 minutes of instruction is a start, but your child
will also need some help from you in dealing with this
multifaceted, complex subject. We will be sending home a
worksheet and a "Stay Alert, Stay Safe"
booklet. Please take some time to review these materials
with your child.
Get started today by teaching your child to:
- be careful around strangers
(a stranger is anyone that they don't know, or
don't know well)
- get your permission before
going with anyone
- say NO, then GO somewhere
safe and TELL someone they trust if they are
approached by a stranger
- let you know where they are
at all times
- never go out alone, there is
safety in numbers
- follow their instincts (if
it feels wrong it probably is)
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APRIL -
Cycling
Many children ride their bicycle like there is some kind
of force field protecting them from danger and accidents.
They fly out of the driveway, ride down the wrong side of
the street, slip up onto the sidewalk and around the
corner, ride across the crosswalk, down the sidewalk, out
a driveway, across the street, through a stop sign. . .
it isn't hard to imagine the reaction we would get from
our neighbours if we did this in our car. Yet children
(and some adults) tend to forget that a bicycle is
considered to be a vehicle and must be driven as one.
Please encourage your child to follow the rules of the
road while they are out cycling, and always remember to
set a good example for them, whether you are driving the
car or pedalling your bike.
NOTE: The Canadian Cycling Association recommends that
children under nine years of age don't often have the
skills necessary to cycle safely on the road. They should
be supervised by a responsible adult when cycling. Riding
on the sidewalk is a safe alternative for younger
children, if they are
taught to:
- be aware of danger spots
like driveways and alleys.
- always walk their bike
across intersections and crosswalks.
- respect pedestrians sharing
the sidewalk with them.
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MAY -
Helmets
Within the city of Lethbridge we are seeing more and more
children wearing their helmets while cycling,
skateboarding and in-line skating. We thank all of you
who have taken this step to protect your child from
possible head injuries. The risk of head injury in a fall
is reduced by up to 85 per cent when a child is wearing a
helmet. Unfortunately, many children are wearing their
helmet right out of the box, without the adjustments
necessary to make it fit them properly. Please take five
minutes with your child o make sure their helmet is
secured properly.
- helmet fits snugly on head
- helmet is level and covers forehead
- front and back straps meet just below the ear
- chin strap is snug
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JUNE -
Sun & Water
To many of us, a great summer day includes sun and water,
which are both potential dangers to our children.
Childhood sunburns that blister are particularly
dangerous, doubling the chance of skin cancer in
adulthood.
The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that we:
SLIP on a shirt
SLAP on a hat
SLOP on some sunscreen.
When your child is around water, that Canadian Red Cross
reminds us that the best life preserver your child can
have is you. It only takes a moment for a child to get
into trouble, so please keep them under your watchful eye
when you are cooling off around the water on those hot
summer days.
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JULY -
Internet Safety
The internet is an amazing educational
and entertainment tool. Most people who go online have a positive
experience, but there are always risks. Education plays a major role in
internet safety. We need to be ‘street smart’ and learn how to minimize
the risks as we travel through cyberspace.
Some cyberspace safety tips that help to
minimize the risks:
-
Consider placing the computer in a
“high traffic” area. This way, you can check on your child, answer
their questions and ask a few of your own.
-
Establish clear guidelines, rules and consequences.
Discuss them with your children and perhaps post them on the monitor.
-
Ask your child to show you where he/she goes online.
Check them out for yourself.
-
Teach children NEVER to give out personal information
no matter where they go. There is no guarantee that a site is safe and
secure.
-
If your child accidentally views or reads inappropriate
content… DON’T PANIC. Teach them to shut off the monitor and ask for
help. Then talk to your child about what they saw and why it may
appear on the internet.
-
Teach your kids to HAVE FUN! The
internet is an amazing resource so if your children know how to stay
safe, they will have many positive experiences.
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AUGUST -
Back to School Safety
Parents cheer and children sneer. It’s
almost that wonderful time for back to school! But hold! Is your child
up to date on Back to School Safety which includes Pedestrian Safety,
Bike Safety, School Bus Safety and Streetproofing? Our September section
covers Pedestrian Safety, March covers Streetproofing and April holds
some keys to Bike Safety.
As for School Bus Safety, here are a few
helpful reminders to share with your children so they can be great
school bus riders:
·
Be properly dressed for the weather
·
Never take rides from strangers even if you miss the bus
·
Use the hand rail when getting on or off the bus
·
Take a seat and STAY SEATED until you get to your
destination
·
Do not throw things inside the bus or out of the window
·
Speak softly, the driver needs to concentrate on the road
·
Listen to the bus driver, he or she is there for your
safety
It is also important for your child to
have this vital information either memorized (or in a place where they
can easily find it if need be).
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SEPTEMBER -
Pedestrian Safety
You've bought new clothes, crayons and pencils; your
child is ready for the new school year - or are they? Do
they know how to get their safely? Below are some tips
and suggestions for helping children become better
pedestrians.
Teach
your child to:
1.
FIND a safe place to cross. (Corner or crosswalk)
- STOP their feet.
- POINT their arm. (This asks
the cars to stop, but it is not magic)
- LOOK any direction that
vehicles may come from.
- LISTEN for vehicle engines.
- LOOK into the driver's eyes
as they approach.
- WAIT until it is safe to
cross. (Your child will need a lot of help with
this)
- LOOK and LISTEN as they WALK
across the street.
- WAVE to the driver(s) to say
thank you.
2.
Be a good example every time you cross the street. This
might be the most important thing you do in helping your
child become a careful pedestrian. Children will imitate
what they see adults and teenagers do. If you walk out
between parked cars, jaywalk or cross against the light,
more than likely your children will too.
Note:
research suggests that instruction in crossing alone
should begin as
early as possible, but that children are not
developmentally ready to do so
until they are approximately nine years old.
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OCTOBER -
Halloween Safety
Halloween is a fun and exciting time, we dress up, attend
parties and eat candy. But trick or treating, which is
the traditional way to celebrate Halloween, can be quite
dangerous. For 364 days each year, we try to keep our
children off of the streets after dark, and tell them not
to talk to or take candy from strangers. On Oct. 31 each
year the rules change and we encourage them to do these
activities. This sends a mixed message to the child and
can ultimately put them in anger.
Safety City encourages you to celebrate Halloween with
your child(ren) at home, or at one of the many community
events held in the city each year instead. This year
Safety City is hosting a Halloween party at Park Place
Mall (October 31 from 6 - 8 p.m.). Maybe we'll see you
there!
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NOVEMBER -
Winter Safety
Winter is quickly approaching. It will soon be time to
dust off your favourite sled and hit the slopes. Here are
some tips to help you reduce the risk of injury from this
fun, but potentially dangerous, activity.
Select snow packed - not icy - slopes.
Look for slopes that have long runoffs.
Ensure that the area is free of hazards such as trees and
traffic.
Dress properly (helmet, boots and gloves); dress warmly.
Do not sled prone (head first) or standing up.
Incline should be less that 30 degrees.
Never allow reckless behaviour.
Guarantee good condition of sled before using it.
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DECEMBER -
Toys
The holidays are coming and you know what that means to a lot of
children .... TOYS, TOYS, TOYS! Here are a few reminders to
help keep your children safe around all of those new
toys:
- Look for the warning and
other safety messages on toy packaging.
- Read and follow all
instructions that come with a toy.
- Teach your child to use the
toy properly.
- Make sure that the batteries
are properly installed.
- Do not allow a child to
sleep with a battery operated toy or a toy that
has strings or ropes attached.
- Teach children to put their
toys away.
- Keep small pieces away from
young children.
Safety
City wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.
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For
further information, please contact us.
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