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Safety educators

Safe Start offers some tips for creating a safety presentation to help illustrate the most common injury hazards in the home.

For health fairs and other safety events, Safe Start offers a free Display Loan Program to promote safety in the home and outdoors. Topics include choking, poisoning, outdoor sports, car seats, window safety and scald prevention. The display is available in both trade show and poster formats. For more information visit the Display Loan Program

Build you own safety kit!


Product suggestions and many more  for your safety kit below can be purchased from the Safety Station.  If you are a Public Health Department, charity, or a licensed or registered daycare you can receive free shipping on orders over $200!

Falls


The most common sites for falls are coffee tables, fireplaces, open windows, stairs and furniture (unstable or top-heavy bookcases, dressers, and TV stands). Samples of safety products in your kit can include corner cushions, anti-tip brackets, and window and door locks.
 
Use a ruler to demonstrate the 10 cm (4 in) maximum allowable width for open windows.

Poisonings


Children cannot read labels. They also like to imitate their parents or caregivers. By seeing cleaners and medications through the eyes of a child, adults can learn how easily their children might drink or eat something poisonous.
 
Include in your kit examples of common medications (coloured pills), nicotine gum and cleaners, along with non-toxic 'look alikes' like apple juice or fruit punch, regular gum, and small, coloured candy. Include poison control numbers and first aid information cards for quick reference. These and other poison prevention brochures are available from the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre in Vancouver. Phone: 604-682-2344 ext. 62126.

Scalds


The standard pre-set temperature of most household hot water tanks is 60°C (140°F), which can cause severe burns and permanent scarring. Include a candy or meat thermometer in your kit. As part of your home visit or presentation, fill a mug with hot tap water that has run for 2 minutes and dip in the thermometer to test the temperature of the water at your presentation site. 


A brochure entitled "Hot Water Burns Like Fire!" highlights common dangers that contribute to scald burns and presents practical, low-cost options for preventing scald injuries. Call 1-888-331-8100 for a supply.

A detachable credit-card-sized reusable thermometer accompanies the brochure. It measures the temperature of the hot water in the home. The "Hot Water Temperature Testing Card" is an easy to use tool that gives a digital reading of the temperature of the water coming from the hot water tank. 

Visit Safe Start's 'Hot Water Burns Like Fire' page or Safe Kids Canada for more information.



Choking

 

In 2002, ear, nose and throat specialists at Children's published a list of common choking hazards seen in their clinics. The most severe choking incidents treated involved hot dogs, popcorn, grapes, carrots, nuts and gel candies (now banned in Canada). Non-food hazards included coins, nails and screws, small toy pieces, buttons and earrings.
 
During your presentation, drop a few of the above items into a toilet paper tube. Items that fit are likely to be choking hazards and should be kept out of reach. Always remind parents to grate food before serving and cut grapes in half, especially for children under age three. Parents should not give popcorn to children under four years of age.

Second-hand products


Remind parents that many products designed for children are not necessarily governed by safety standards. As well, there are thousands of recalls affecting toys, furniture, playpens, strollers and infant swings/entertainment centres. In April 2004, Health Canada imposed a ban on the sale, importation and advertisement of wheeled baby walkers in Canada. Walkers are still used in households across the country, and are extremely dangerous.
 
More than 150 models of child car seats are unsafe or have been recalled. For a complete list ofrecalls on all nursery products and toys, visit www.healthycanadians.ca