Today we had an important lecture by Public Health Nurse-Julia Dearing-Vollett about Growing up safely. 90% of injuries are preventalbe.Injury and incident are main causes of death of children over one year of age.More childen die from injury than all other childhood diseases put together. There is EARS to remember.E for Environment-to create safer places for young children.A for Age and Stage-to learn how injuries occur as children grow.R for Rules-to create and following family safety rules.S for Supervision-watch children closely. How do injuries happen? Children are playing and trying new things. In a new or different place(visiting friends/family) Children are tried or hungry Built Environment Parents are busy and distracted Know your child better to prevent injuries,to know Age and stage of development Attention span and impulse control Older siblings or friends that they copy Are they a risk taker? It is important to create safer places for children at home,school,play,and on the way. Passive strategies are easier than active ones.Check out your child's space from their point of view-get your knees dirty.Think like a child. Watch children closely at new places,new situations,discuss strategies other parents have used.Do not assume someone else is watching.Plan ahead for special events. Creating family safety rules. Remove a child who is in danger. Reward a child who has acted safely. Repeat safety rules. Set consistent limits on behaviour Be a positive role-model Offer safer and age appropriate activities Safer use of second hand products Check with the manufacturer and Health Canada for recalls Ask is the item is in good condition/meet current safety regulations? Are the manufacturer's instructions included? Are labels attached and readable? Are all safety features working? Do you know the history of the item? There are some programs related to children 0to 6 years old Growing up safely resources Child passenger safety Kids are unpredictable Wheel safety Kids have stress too Some resources:Ontario Poison Centre:18002689017 or 416-8135900 TPH-Toronto Public Health:call 3-1-1 or 416-3387600 Safe kids Canada:www.safekidscanada.ca Transport Canada:www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety 18003330371 Health Canada Consumer Product Safety: 416-9734705 |