J u n e 2 0 1 6 Welcome to our June issue of Health Matters Online. You may be surprised to learn that preventable injuries kill more CHILDPROOFING YOUR HOME.

children every year than any other disease. The good news is PLAY SAFE! there are easy steps we can all take to keep children safe. In NEVER LEAVE A CHILD ALONE IN A recognition of Safe Kids Week (May 30-June 5th) this issue is VEHICLE all about safety at home, at play and on the road. KEEP KIDS SAFE ON THE ROAD SOURCES AND WHERE TO GO FOR

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CHILDPROOFING YOUR HOME

Children learn and change quickly and parents may find themselves both amazed and overwhelmed by how much they need to know (and do) to keep their children safe.

Childproofing your home helps create a safer environment. Childproofing is an ongoing process that involves removing as many hazards as possible.

How to childproof?

Get right down on the floor and crawl around on your hands and knees at your child's level. This will help you see dangerous things that may get your toddler's attention. Check for:

 Small objects that could be swallowed and cause choking. If it's small enough to fit through the cardboard tube inside a toilet paper roll, it is a choking hazard.

 Any potential poisons or hazards within reach. Medications, vitamins, alcohol, drugs, cleaning supplies and personal care products and certain houseplants can be poisonous to children. Keep these items locked up, out of sight, and out of reach. Cover electrical outlets with child-proof covers.

 Cords, strings, or ribbons longer than 15 cm (6 in.). Cords on blinds and drapes should be removed or tied up so your child cannot reach them, even when he climbs on the furniture. Drawstrings on clothing can also be very dangerous. Remove all hood and neck strings from your child's clothes. Drawstrings can get caught on things like the corner posts of a crib or playground equipment.

 Large or heavy items that could be pulled down on top of them. Examples include aquariums, animal cages, electronics and small appliances.

For more information check out parachute.ca.

PLAY SAFE!

The nice weather is here and it's time to go outside and play! Community playgrounds are a great place for your toddler to run, climb and swing. They also get a chance to meet and learn to play with other children.

Healthy Families BC offers up some great advice to keep the experience safe:

The equipment:

 Make sure the playground equipment is in good condition, well anchored, and the right size and height for your toddler. If your toddler can't reach the equipment without help, it's too big. Children younger than five should use playgrounds designed for preschoolers. The equipment should be no more than 1.5 metres (five feet) high.  Make sure the equipment doesn't have sharp points, corners, hooks, or joints that could catch clothing.  Look for guardrails, barriers and soft seats. These all help prevent injuries.

The grounds

 Look for playgrounds with lots of space around the equipment.  Playgrounds with sand, wood chips or synthetic materials on the ground are safest.

Teach playground safety:

 Always accompany your toddler to the playground and provide proper supervision. Playground falls are a major cause of serious injuries.  Teach your toddler not to cross the path of a moving swing.  Check the temperature of a metal slide with your hand. A metal slide standing in the sun can get hot enough to burn the skin.

Playing is fun and we all need to play more. Check out Bring Back Play for more play information and inspiration.

For more information on playground safety see Healthy Families BC. NEVER LEAVE A CHILD ALONE IN A VEHICLE

Hot are dangerous places for children. Even on days that may seem relatively mild, it takes only minutes for the inside of a vehicle to reach extreme temperatures.

Children are especially sensitive to heat exposure. When exposed to heat, a child's body temperature rises much faster than an adult in the same conditions putting them at risk of heat-related illness which can result in seizures, unconsciousness, organ failure, and even death.

Cars heat up fast! When the outside temperature is 34°C (93°F), temperatures inside a vehicle can rise to 52°C (125°F) within 20 minutes. Leaving the windows slightly open will not keep the inside of the vehicle at a safe temperature.

Always look before you leave. Children are sometimes left in cars completely by accident. This can happen when caregivers are distracted, tired, or when there is a change from daily routine. Here are few things that can help make sure no one gets left behind:

 Make a habit of checking that all occupants (people and pets) are out of the vehicle before locking and leaving.  Lock your vehicle using your key, rather than a remote. Use the time it takes to lock with a key to look inside and make sure no one is left behind.  Put your child's bags and other items in the front seat. With a child's belongings in plain sight, it is much easier to remember that he/she is in the car with you.  If you have several kids and/or pets in the car, do a head count before you close the door to make sure everyone is out when you reach your destination.

Help prevent these tragedies. One Decision is a powerful film that aims to prevent child injuries or death from vehicular heat stroke. The film is a re-enactment and no one was harmed during the making of the film. Share this film with others to help raise awareness about this important issue. KEEP KIDS SAFE ON THE ROAD

When used correctly, car seats, booster seats, and seat belts, play an important role in keeping children safe and sound while traveling.

Some tips to keep in mind when looking for a or a booster seat:

 Be sure to buy your child safety seat or booster seat in Canada. Only seats bought in Canada are legal for use here. Look for the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards label on the side of the seat.

 Avoid buying used seats. Seats that have been involved in accidents are no longer safe to use.

 Be aware of the seat's expiry date. Properly dispose of expired car seats by cutting the straps so they are no longer usable.  Try out a car or booster seat before you buy it. Have your child sit in the seat first to make sure it is the best fit for their height and weight, and for your vehicle.

 Always follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure you install and use the child safety seat correctly.

 There are several different types of car seats available and each is designed for a specific purpose. Knowing a child's height and weight before purchasing a car seat is important.

 Make sure your or child is in a proper car seat for their weight and height on everytrip, even short ones. Accidents can happen anytime.

For more information: Parachute Canada Transport Canada

Sources and where to get more information

Interior Health - Search for Health Centres under "location type" Interior Health Healthy Families BC Parachute Canada

This e-newsletter is an Interior Health project to provide quick and easy health tips for new parents and caregivers of children ages 0 to 2 years. Your comments and topic suggestions are welcome! Simply email us at: [email protected].

For more info or to attend a free child health clinic, contact your local Public Health Centre. You can find contact info online at: www.interiorhealth.ca or look it up under Interior Health in the blue pages of your local phone book.

Sincerely, Interior Health Authority