Keeping Me Safe

I love to run, climb and move around. But I am still learning the difference between what is safe and what is not safe. I might not always think before I do something. I need you to help keep me safe and protected, both inside and outside my home.

Most childhood injuries can be predicted and prevented.

Here are some simple guidelines to help keep me safe between 18 months and 3 years old…and beyond.

Falls are the leading cause of hospital visits for childhood injuries

• Before you move me out of my crib and into a bed, make sure my room is safe.
• Do not put bunk beds in my room until I am at least 6 years old.
• I should wear a helmet when I go tobogganing or skating.

Car Safety

• One of the most important things you can do to keep me safe is to put me in an approved car seat every time we travel by car and to use my seat correctly every time you put me in it.
• When installing my car seat, always read your instruction manual for the seat and the owner manual for your vehicle.
• I am safest when you put my car seat in the back seat.
• Never put me in the front seat if our car has a passenger-side air bag.
• Do not forget to use the tether on the back of my car seat.
• Always leave me in a forward facing car seat with straps until I weigh 18 kilograms (40 pounds). Putting me in a booster seat is dangerous if I am below that weight.
• If we are using a used car seat, it is best to have it inspected at a Car Seat Clinic.
• Talk to our community health nurse if you have any questions about installing and using my car seat the right way.

House and Neighborhood

• Watch me whenever I am playing around the driveway or street. Better yet, do not let me play around the driveway, garage or street.
• Walk around our vehicle before you back out of the driveway to make sure that there are no children or toys behind it.
• If we have an automatic garage door closer, always make sure that I am well away from the door before closing it.
• Check out tobogganing hills to make sure they are safe. A safe hill is not too steep, does not have trees or other big things in the way and has a long, flat area at the bottom of the hill.
• I need to wear several layers of warm clothing when I play outside in the winter.
• Help me to tuck in any scarves or drawstrings on my clothes so they do not get caught when I am sledding down a hill.

Water Safety

• Never leave me alone near a wading or swimming pool, lake or ocean.