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-WHITBYýFE% -\à auto news a J Let's work together to keep our children safe Unfortunately, not all the sounds of summer are pleasant. The helpless cry of a little girl as she hits her head on the pave- ment in a fall from her bicycle. A frantic mother making des- perate attempts to breathe life into her young son found float- ing in the family swimming pool. This year, these tragic scenes will probably become a painful reality for one in four Canadian families. Childhood injury is a critical national prob- lem that affects every communi- ty across the country. Every year, more Canadian children die from preventable injuries than all childhood dis- eases combined. And thousands more children are seriously injured, sometimes for life, ai great cost to themselves, their families, the community and the health system. SAFE KIDS Canada, a national charity dedicated to reducing the frequency and severity of preventable injuries, offers tips for parents, teachers and caregivers to protect children from harm. Buckle up for a safe ride Proper use of car seats and seat belts can dramatically reduce a child's risk of injury and death if involved in a car crash. • Any car seat sold in Canada must meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This information can be found on a label on the car seat. • Children in forward facing car seats must have their car seat secured to the car with a tether strap, and fastened to the frame of the car with an anchor bolt. If you need installation assistance, call Family Safety Check 1. Our family buckles up correctly for every car ride. 2. Our family always wears bike helmets when bicycling. 3. Kids under 10 never cross streets alone. 4. Kids are always supervised in or near water. 5. Our home has working smoke detectors and we check the batteries monthly. 6. Our water heaters are set no higher than 49°C(120°F) to prevent scald burns. 7. Kids are closely supervised on playgrounds. 8. Kids are protected against falls from windows, stairs, and furniture. 9. Household cleaners, medicines, and vitamins are stored in a locked cabinet out of the reach of our kids. 10. Our home has emergency numbers near telephones and first aid supplies. your car Canadian Association. dealer or the Automobile • Car seats are effective only if the child is the right weight and height for the car seat. Children who have outgrown their car seats must use a seat belt. Riding a bike? Wear a helmet. Bicycle crashes are the lead- ing cause of hospital admissions for head injuries to children. Only Ontario, Nova Scotia and British Columbia have bicycle helmet laws for children. But, wearing a bike helmet can reduce the risk of head and brain injury by 85 per cent. • Buy a helmet approved by the Canadian Standards Association, available across Canada for as low as $15. • A helmet should fit snugly on a child's head. It should not tilt backwards or slide down over his or her eyes. The chin strap should always be tight enough that only one finger can fit between the chin strap and the child's chin. Children must always be supervised in or near water. In 1993, 86 under the drowning. children in Canada age of 15 died from • A backyard swimming pool or hot tub should be sur- rounded by a fence that is at least four feet high and diffi- cult to climb. The fence should have a gate that closes and locks by itself. • unlidren should wear life jackets at all times when in, on or near water. Teach chil- dren to test water depth before diving in. Saturday, June 7, 1997, page 9 • Install smoke detectors on every level of your home. Test smoke detectors monthly replace batteries when clocks change. and the • Young children under the age of five can drown in bathtubs, buckets or toilet bowls. Supervise children while in the bathtub. Empty out buckets immediately after use. Use a toilet lid lock to protect curious toddlers. Play safe Choking is the most common cause of playground death. • Remove drawstrings and tuck in scarves or other loose cloth- ing to prevent choking. • Teach children that skipping ropes should not be used at the playground. Simple home improvements can help create a safer environ- ment for children. .0 r ~W*&iU' Vendor-style Sausage 1390 HOPKINS STREET UNIT 7, WHITBY e 666-9395 GRADUATE PROGRAM • Make sure your hot water tank is set at 49°C (120°F). Ask your utility company to install an anti-scalding device. • Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Do not use gates with diamond-shaped openings; a child's head can get caught in these openings. More Information Available SAFE KIDS Canada has a free information line that provides tips to help keep your children safe. Call 1-888-SAFE TIPS. ýf97CAVALIER 4-PooR SEDAN '97 CAVALIER 2-DooR COUPE