Keeping home and play safe: Important safety tips for parents and caregivers

By Dr. David Butler-Jones MD, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada

A report recently published by the Public Health Agency of Canada reveals that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among Canadian children aged 1 to 19 and are the third leading cause of hospital visits. Many of these injuries are caused by car accidents; however, many are also caused by common household and play items, such as playground equipment, bicycles, skateboards, trampolines and furniture.

It's important that parents and caregivers remember to enforce basic safety messages such as always wearing properly-fitted helmets when cycling, skateboarding or rollerblading and following water-safety rules around pools, lakes and rivers.

As trampolines become increasingly common in backyards across Canada, so do the injuries associated with them. Following some basic safety advice goes a long way in helping to prevent potentially serious injuries.

Do:
- Carefully read and follow assembly instructions
- Provide supervision, even when safety nets are being used
- Ensure that your trampoline meets current international safety regulations
- Set up your trampoline on level-ground, away from structures, and surround with sand or loose fill

Don't:
- Allow a child younger than six years of age to use the trampoline
- Allow more than one child to use the trampoline at the same time
- Wear clothes or jewellery that could catch
- Attempt somersaults or flips without the supervision of a certified trampoline instructor

With infants and toddlers, there are a number of common household products
that can lead to injury. Some are "hidden" hazards, such as televisions,
magnets in toys and blind cords, and some are more obvious, such as bunk
beds. To avoid injuries in the home, make sure that furniture and
electronics are properly secured, using the proper angle braces and
anchors when necessary. Televisions should be placed on low, stable
furniture and electric cords should be hidden. Blind cords should be cut
short or wound up. Remember to keep cribs, highchairs and playpens away
from windows or patio doors, where a child could more easily reach a blind
or curtain cord.

Parents should also be aware that baby walkers are now banned in Canada
and shouldn’t be bought used at garage sales or at second-hand stores.

Exercise caution when using infant bath seats or bath rings, which present a drowning risk when children are left in them unsupervised. Watch young children carefully while in the bathtub, keeping them in sight and within arm's reach at all times. A child can drown in as little as two inches of
water and in just a few minutes - if you have to leave the room, even just
to answer the phone, take your child with you.

Keeping children safe is every parent's first priority. For more information on consumer product safety and injury prevention, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website at www.publichealth.gc.ca to access the Child and Youth Injury in Review 2009 Edition – Spotlight on ConsumerProduct Safety.

Dr. David Butler-Jones is Canada's first Chief Public Health Officer and is head of the Public Health Agency of Canada.