Batteries can be dangerous for children, including the batteries in battery-operated toys.

If the batteries are easy to get out of the toy, your child may remove the batteries and put them in their mouth. This can be a choking hazard.

Button batteries can also cause damage if they are stuck in the nose or ears. Batteries can cause internal burns.

Batteries are found in a lot of things around the house.

• Calculators
• Cameras
• Toys
• Talking or singing books
• Electronic toothbrushes
• Flameless candles
• Flashing jewelry
• Remote controls
• Flashlights
• Laser lights
• Handheld games
• Hearing aids
• Key fobs

Batteries are harmful if swallowed or put in the ears or nose. They are also a choking hazard. The most serious damage happens when a battery is swallowed. When a battery is swallowed, saliva (spit) causes an electrical current with the battery. This current causes a chemical reaction that can burn internal tissues and organs (e.g., throat, stomach, intestines). These chemical burns can happen in less than two hours.

Button batteries are the most dangerous. These are small, round, flat batteries. They are sometimes called lithium batteries. Button batteries have higher levels of power (voltage) than other batteries. Also, they are easy to swallow and to stick in the ears or nose.

The scary part is that you may not know your child has swallowed a battery. Children may still breathe and act normally after swallowing a battery. Signs and symptoms may include choking, coughing, drooling, throwing up, not wanting to eat, fever, throat or stomach pain, and fussiness. If the battery is stuck in the ear or nose, there may be blood or other fluid (drainage).

• Know which products in your home use button batteries. Check that all products using button batteries have screws or strong tape to secure the battery compartment.
• Actively supervise young children whenever they are using or are around products with batteries.
• Store loose batteries and battery-powered products that are not in use out of the sight and reach of young children. Whenever possible, use a locked cabinet or container.
• Only adults should change batteries. Do not allow children to play with batteries.
• When visiting family members and friends, be aware that their homes may have button batteries that are easily accessible to young children.

• If you think your child has swallowed a button battery or has put one in their nose or ear, go to the emergency room right away. Do not wait until you see symptoms to get help.
• If it is quickly available, give 5-10 mL of honey on your way to the hospital IF the battery was swallowed in the last 12 hours, AND your child is 12 months or older and is not allergic to honey. Do not give honey if your child is vomiting or cannot swallow. Do not delay going to the hospital to get honey.
• Do not make your child throw up, and do not make your child eat or drink anything other than the honey.
• Immediately tell the admitting staff about the battery ingestion.

Learning to ride a bike can be fun!

There are several ways you can make sure that your child is safe while bike riding.

• Make sure that both you and your child always wear a properly fitted helmet.
  
• Adults need to supervise their young children when they are riding.
• Maintain your family’s bicycles.
• Follow the rules of the road.

For more information about bicycle safety, click here.

Young children’s skin burns easily. There are some things that you can do in your house to prevent burns.

1. Be Careful When Cooking
   • Never leave food unattended on the stove.
   • Place pots and pans at the back of the stove where your child cannot reach them.
   • Supervise your child in the kitchen.
   • Do not let a young child use a microwave.
   • Place your child’s highchair out of reaching distance from the stove.
2. Turn Down Your Water Heater
   • Turn down your water heater to 49°C or 120°F.
   • Remember that the water heater may be set higher at other homes and hotels.
3. Check the Temperature
   • Always check the temperature of liquids and food before feeding them to your child. When dropped on your wrist, liquids should feel warm but comfortable.
   • Test the temperature of bath water before putting your child in it. It should feel comfortably warm but not hot.

For more information about first aid and burns, click here.

When in a correctly installed car seat, your child is the safest person in your car. In Saskatchewan, children must be in a car seat (rear-facing, forward-facing, booster) until they are at least 7 years old. Please click here to find out how to choose a car seat and how to install a car seat.

For more information, please go to car seats.

Choking happens when a child’s throat is blocked by something. Children can choke on many things that we might not think are a risk. Young children are at risk of choking because they like to put everything in their mouths.

• Food like lollipops, apples, meat, nuts, seeds, popcorn kernels, grapes, sausages
• Household items like coins, batteries, tops from pens and markers, jewelry
• Toys and toy parts like marbles, eyes from stuffed animals, balloons
• Things that children find outside

Balloons are a major cause of choking for children. Balloons are not recommended for use for children under the age of 5. Uninflated balloons or pieces of broken balloons can stick in your child’s throat. The surface sticks to the moist skin in the child’s throat and blocks off the air passage.

• Always have your child sit while eating.
• Cut food into small pieces.
• When feeding a young child, wait until they swallow the food they already have in their mouth before giving them more food.
• Cook, grate, or mash foods for infants.
  
• Keep small objects out of reach of children.
• Use toys that are made for your child’s age.
• Keep toys for older children away from younger children.

Click here for more information about first aid for choking.

During the summer months, many of us head to the pools, lakes, and beaches with our families and friends. This is an excellent way to have fun, get exercise, play, and stay cool. However, it is very important to understand the risk of drowning and how we can prevent it.

Children can drown quickly and quietly; in less than 5 cm (2 in.) of water and in only 10 seconds. Drowning can happen in ponds, rivers, lakes, bathtubs, dugouts, sloughs, pails, and water barrels. Children often cannot call out or signal that they need help.

There are a lot of things that adults can do to keep children safe so that they can have fun in the water. All children should wear Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) when they are at the beach, lake, or pool. Teach your child how to roll on their back when wearing a PFD so that their face will be out of the water if there is an emergency.

Children should be supervised at all times when around water, even if the child knows how to swim. You should be within arm’s reach of your child until they are over the age of 5. Older children and adults should always use the buddy system and never swim alone.

Enroll your child in swimming lessons or a Swim to Survive program. Check out the Canadian Red Cross and Lifesaving Society’s websites for more information. Your local pool and regional park may have more information on their websites.

There are a lot of things that adults can do to keep children safe in and around the water.

• Young children should be within an arm’s reach of an adult (not an older child) when in or near water, including paddling pools and in the bathroom. Older children and adults should always use the buddy system and never swim alone.
• Adults should be actively supervising children (e.g., not distracted by other activities).
• Ensure all backyard pools have fencing on all four sides that is at least four feet high and cannot be accessed by children. Any gate to the pool area should be self-closing and self-latching. Teach children not to go in or near the pool without an adult.
• Teach children that a personal flotation device (PFD) must be worn at all times in or around water. Young children should always wear a properly fitted PFD when swimming in a pool or lake and when on a boat. Set a good example and wear your life jacket when boating. Teach your child how to roll on their back when wearing a PFD so that their face will be out of the water if there is an emergency.
• Enroll your child in swimming lessons or a Swim to Survive program. Check out the Canadian Red Cross and Lifesaving Society’s websites for more information. Your local pool and regional park may have more information on their websites.

Electrical shocks happen when you come into contact with a source of electricity. Electrical shocks cause burns and can cause death. Electrical shock can also affect your brain, heart, and other organs.

When electricity moves through your body, you can get burns that you cannot see. You may think that you are not injured but there can be lots of injuries inside your body.

Cover all electrical sockets that are not being used. The best socket covers are ones that slide over the socket instead of stick in the socket. Avoid using power bars if you can. If you need one, make sure that it has safety covers over the sockets.

Tuck wires out of a child’s reach. Young children like to play with or chew cords.

Make sure that all small appliances, like toasters and hair dryers, are unplugged when they aren’t being used. Electricity travels through water. If an appliance drops into water that you or your child have contact with, this can result in an electrical shock.

If your child has an electrical toy, plug it in for them and supervise them when they are playing with it.

Falls are a common cause of injuries in children. Sometimes, the injury can be serious. The following information is about some of the ways that you can protect your child from serious falls.

Safety proofing your house is one of the most important things you can do to keep your child safe from injuries. Your child will explore their environment. They can roll off a bed, try to crawl up the stairs, and climb on everything. Watch your child carefully, and make changes around your home to reduce the risk of serious falls.

When your child can sit and stand, move their crib mattress to the lowest position.

Use proper hardware to secure heavy furniture to the wall. This includes bookshelves, dressers, and televisions. This will prevent these heavy objects from falling onto a child.

Make sure furniture is not top heavy. Use the bottom shelves or drawers for heavy objects.

Don’t leave your baby alone when they are on any surface above floor level. Keep one hand on your baby when they are on a high surface like a change table.

Falls can happen at the playground. For more information, click the Playground button.

Falls often happen on stairs. Stairways need to be blocked off at both the top and the bottom with either a closed door or a safety gate.

There are two types of safety gates: pressure-mounted and wall-mounted. You can use either type at the bottom of your stairs. This will prevent your baby from crawling up the stairs. Use a wall-mounted gate at the top of stairs. This will stay in place if your child falls against it.

Make sure that all safety gates meet current safety regulations.

Supervise your child when they use a riding toy. These toys should be used outside and away from stairs. Your child does not have control over their movement and can fall down a flight of stairs. They can also fall off the toy.

Put latches or window guards on all windows and patio/balcony doors.

Farms offer excellent opportunities for children to grow and learn. However, farms also have a lot of hazards. The best way to keep your young child safe on the farm is to have a designated play area for children. This area should be surrounded by a fence with a self-locking latch.

Accompany your young child at all times when they are not in this play area.

Teach your child what areas and equipment on the farm are off limits. Keep in mind that sometimes areas that are safe one day may not be safe the next day. For example, being near a field during seeding, spraying, or harvest would be more dangerous than at other times.

• Machinery/Equipment
  • Rollovers: The machine rolls over and the child flies out or becomes trapped.
  • Run-overs: Children can be run over when they fall from a machine or are playing in an area where the vehicle operator cannot see them.
  • Cuts, burns, and amputations can occur when playing around farm equipment.

  

• Dugouts, lakes, rivers, sloughs, ponds, manure pits, and lagoons are all potentially dangerous for drowning.
• For more information click the Drowning button.

• Remember that calm and domestic animals can be dangerous when they feel threatened.
• Farm animals will be protective of their babies.
• Young children can be easily knocked over, trampled, or kicked by farm animals.

• Pesticides/chemicals that are not locked away from children can be a poisoning hazard.

• Children can get trapped in flowing grain in just a few seconds; this includes grain in bins, trucks, and wagons.

Having a smoke detector that works properly and knowing what to do when the alarm goes off will help keep your family safe if there is a fire.

• Keep lighters and matches out of reach of children.
• Supervise children around fires, inside and outside.
• Do not teach children how to use a lighter or matches.
• Supervise children in the kitchen. Do not let young children use the stove.
• Create a fire escape plan for your home. Make sure babysitters and others know this plan as well.
• Make sure the smoke detectors in your home work properly. Do not remove the battery or disconnect the wires.

Make a fire escape route from your home. This route will help family members get out of the home safely during a fire.

In the following video, Sparky the Fire Dog will help you talk to your child about having a fire escape plan.

Here are some easy steps to follow in making a plan:

1. Draw a simple floor plan of your home.
2. Plan two ways out of each room.
3. Choose a special meeting place outside the home where all family members will meet after escaping. This place could be by the back fence, beside the garage, or at a neighbour’s house. Mark this place on the escape plan.
4. Have a fire drill at least twice a year. During the drill, make sure that:
   • everyone understands the planned escape routes
   • doors and windows can be opened easily
   • if an escape ladder is necessary, it is where it should be and that everyone knows how to use it
   • someone is assigned to help small children and the elderly

Make sure that everyone in your family knows what to do if there is a fire.

In case of a fire, teach family members to:

• never risk their lives to take possessions with them
• always crawl under the smoke to escape a fire
• never go back into a burning building
• stop, drop, and roll if their clothes are on fire

Helmets decrease the risk of head injuries. Helmets should be used with all wheeled transportation, such as biking, rollerblading, and skate boarding, and several sports, like hockey.

Below is information about bicycle helmets.

To get information about helmets for skiing and snowboarding, please click here.

For information about other winter sports, please click here.

Before purchasing a bicycle helmet, check the inside of the helmet to make sure it meets safety standards. If it does, it will say CPSA, CSA, ANSI, ASTM, or Snell approved.

Follow the 2 V 1 Rule below to make sure the helmet is being worn correctly.

Make sure that the bicycle helmet is fitted to the top of the head. Once the straps are done up, there should be very little movement.

Tie long hair at the base of the neck below the helmet. Do not wear ball caps or winter hats under the helmet.

If you or your child has a crash or fall, you should replace the helmet.

Play helps children grow, learn, and develop. Playgrounds are important places because they give children opportunities to play and interact with other children. Children can take risks, try new things, and develop problem-solving skills.

Playgrounds are also a place where injuries can happen. Fractures, scrapes, cuts and bruises, head injuries, strains and sprains, friction burns, and pinches are the most common injuries due to playground equipment. The most serious injuries on playgrounds are due to falls, getting caught in equipment, and collisions.

Supervision is important.

1. Check Your Children
   • Remove drawstrings from your child’s clothes. These might get caught in equipment and strangle your child.
   • Remove your child’s helmet when they are in the playground. Helmets are larger than your child’s head and can get caught in equipment openings. The straps of the helmet may also strangle your child.
   • Do not allow your child to play with skipping ropes or other ropes and cords on the play equipment. This can cause your child or other children to be strangled.
2. Check the Playground
   • Check playground equipment for parts that are loose, worn out, or broken.
   • The surface under the playground equipment should be soft. Wood chips and shredded rubber should be 15-30 cm deep (6-12 in). Grass and hard-packed dirt are not good surfaces under the playground equipment.
   • Check for glass or garbage and other debris in the play area.
   • All equipment should have both handrails and guardrails.
   • Advocate that new and existing playground equipment follows Canadian Safety Association (CSA) standards.
   • If your child has special needs, playground equipment can be adapted so that your child can have a safe experience.
3. Supervise and Teach Safety Habits to Children
   • Let your child play actively. This will help them develop skills and confidence.
   • Children less than 5 years of age require constant and active supervision on play equipment.
   • Encourage your child’s safe play habits including:
     • Waiting their turn
     • No pushing
     • Feet first down the slide
     • Sitting on swings and slides
     • Looking before jumping
   • Ensure play equipment is age-appropriate. Playgrounds are designed for two age groups: 18 months to 5 years, and 5 years to 12 years. Playgrounds designed for older children have heights that are unsafe for younger children.

Being active and exploring the world comes with some risks. For example, your child might trip over some rocks when running outside and skin their knee. It is important for your child to take risks during play. This pushes their limits and helps them to develop skills.

Your child will benefit from active play in the following ways.

• Build self-confidence
• Build resiliency skills
• Develop a belief in themself
• Explore independence
• Develop sound judgement
• Develop risk assessment skills
• Develop social skills
• Understand that it is safe to test limits
• Feel a sense of accomplishment
• Try new skills and new behaviours

As an adult, your role is to make sure that the environment is free of hazards. For example, making sure there is no glass in the sandbox before your child plays.

You can support your child to be active, explore their world, and take risks by:

• providing supervision when your young child is playing
• making sure the place where your child is playing has no hazards in it
• encouraging your child to be independent
• making time for your child to play with other children
• encouraging your child’s desire for joy and excitement
• helping your child learn how to understand risks and figure out how to manage them
• encouraging your child’s imagination
• making sure that your child gets a lot of rest so they have the energy to be active
• allowing your child to have free time

Poison is a substance that can cause illness or death when it is swallowed or touched.

Poison can enter the body in four ways:

• Ingested by swallowing the substance.
• Inhaled by breathing in the substance.
• Absorbed by contacting the skin.
• Injected such as through insect bites or needles.

Below is a list of poisonous items that can be found in the home. Walk through your home to make sure these items are properly stored. They should be locked up in a cupboard, out of sight, and out of reach of your child.

• Cleaning products
• Lotions and creams
• Personal hygiene products and cosmetics
• Rubbing alcohol
• Medicines, vitamins, and herbal products
• Air fresheners

• Cosmetics, air fresheners, and perfumes

• Detergent and fabric softener
• Laundry pods
• Bleach and cleaning solutions

• Plants
• Tobacco, cigarettes, and butts
• Crafts and hobby supplies
• Batteries

• Cleaning products
• Medicines, vitamins, and herbal products
• Alcohol
• Vanilla Extract
• Spray oils
• Pet medications

• Weed killer, insecticides, and fertilizers
• Paint and paint thinner
• Charcoal lighter
• Gasoline and motor oil
• Antifreeze
• Windshield washer fluid
• Lime
• Mothballs

Keep the number for poison control on your fridge 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669). It is free to call this number from anywhere in Canada.

• Help them understand what poisons are and what they can do to their body.
• Remind your child that they should always ask an adult before eating or using an unknown substance.
• Show your child warning labels so they can identify which products are dangerous.

Lead is a heavy bluish-grey metal. Lead is created naturally and can be found everywhere in our environment. Many products we use every day may contain traces of lead. Traces of lead enter the body through the mouth, the lungs, or the skin. Large amounts of lead are dangerous and can cause negative health effects.

Children are at greater risk of ingesting lead because they may chew on objects that contain lead. Here are some tips on how to reduce lead poisoning in your family.

• Clean your house regularly to remove dust and particles that may contain lead.
• Do not keep food or drinks in lead crystal containers.
• Discourage children from putting things into their mouths unless the object is intended to be put in the mouth (like food and pacifiers).
• Never allow a child to suck or chew on metal jewelry.
• If you are concerned about exposure to lead, speak to your healthcare professional.

Adapted from Poison and Drug Information Services, Government of Alberta.

Click here for information about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Second-hand cribs, cradles, and bassinets may not be safe. The following safety features are important.

A safe bassinet needs:

• a label that has the model name and number
• an instruction manual
• a date when it was made
• posts that are not higher than 1.5 mm (1/16 in)
• bars that are 6 cm (2 3/8 in) or less apart
• a solid frame
• sides that lock into place
• a firm mattress that is no thicker than 3.8 cm (1½ in)
• a mattress that is tight against all four sides of the bassinette
• a fitted sheet that is tight on the mattress

A safe cradle needs:

• a label that has the model name and number
• an instruction manual
• a date when it was made
• posts that are not higher than 1.5 mm (1/16 in)
• bars that are 6 cm (2 3/8 in) or less apart
• a solid frame
• sides that lock into place
• a firm mattress that is no thicker than 3.8 cm (1½ in)
• a mattress that is tight against all four sides of the crib
• a fitted sheet that is tight on the mattress

A safe crib needs:

• a label that has the model name and number
• an instruction manual
• a date when it was made
• posts that are not higher than 1.5 mm (1/16 in)
• bars that are 6 cm (2 3/8 in) or less apart
• a solid frame
• sides that lock into place
• a firm mattress that is no thicker than 15 cm (6 in)
• a mattress that is tight against all four sides of the crib
• a fitted sheet that is tight on the mattress

When your child can pull themself up into a standing position, move the crib mattress to the lowest level. This will prevent them from falling out of the crib. Remove any mobiles or rail toys that your baby will now be able to reach.

• If you are using a bassinet or a cradle, move your child to a crib when they can roll over. This happens between 3 and 4 months.
• Move your child into a bed when they can climb out of the crib. This happens between 18 and 24 months.

Check the crib, cradle, or bassinette.

• Space between the bars must not be more than 6 cm (2 3/8 in).
• No bumper pads, quilts, pillows, or stuffed animals.
• There should be no drop sides; cribs with drop down sides have been banned for sale by Health Canada.
• No splinters or burrs
• No sharp edges and points
• No loose nuts or bolts

Put your crib, cradle, or bassinet away from:

• Lamps
• Curtains
• Windows
• Blind cords
• Patio doors
• Electrical plugs
• Electrical cords

Move your child to a bed when they can crawl out of their crib. A fall from a crib can cause a serious injury.

To prevent falls from the bed at night you can:

• use side rails
• place the box spring and mattress directly on the floor
• get a toddler’s bed

Do not use the wall as a way to keep your child from falling out of bed. Make sure that the side of the bed is not against a wall, as your child can become trapped between the bed and the wall.

Make sure the mattress that you buy fits the size of your bed frame. There shouldn’t be any gaps between the mattress and the headboard, footboard, or rails.

Teach your child that beds are not for jumping on. Jumping on a bed can lead to serious injuries if the child falls off the bed.

Continue to put your child’s bed away from radiators, blinds, windows, and wires (e.g., lamp cords).

You may choose to use bed rails to prevent your child from falling out of bed. If you use bed rails, the following guidelines can help keep your child safe.

• There should not be a gap between the bed rail and the mattress.
• Read all warnings and carefully follow instructions.
• Railings should not be more than 8.4 cm (3.3 in) apart.
• The bed rail should not have any sharp edges, points, or small parts.

Children under the age of 6 should not sleep on the top bunk. The safety rails for top bunks are made to prevent children above the age of 6 from falling. Younger children can get caught in this rail.

Sometimes the top bunk can be taken off. Unless you need the top bunk, store the top bunk until it is needed.

The mattress should fit without any spaces between the headboard and footboard and mattress.

Teach your child that neither bunk is to be played on. This can lead to injuries from falls.

If you have an older child using the top bunk, teach them to always use the ladder and to never have more than one person on the top bunk.

Make sure your bunkbed meets ASTM International Standards (American Society for Testing and Materials International). These are standards that manufacturers have to meet when building the bunkbed to ensure safety.

Storage bins and boxes can be dangerous. They can trap a child inside. If the bin/box does not have air holes, the child will not have enough air to breathe. Place storage bins/boxes where your child cannot get to them.

Provide safe storage for toys. If your toy box has a lid, be sure the box has air holes and a “no-latch lid. This will prevent your child from suffocating if they get trapped in the box. You can also use storage toy boxes that do not have lids.

Use separate toy boxes for younger and older children’s toys.

Suffocation means that the child is not getting enough air because something is covering their nose and mouth.

Strangulation means that the child is not getting enough air because something is squeezing their neck.

Blind and curtain cords can strangle a child if they become tangled in the cord. Tie curtain and blind cords out of reach of children by using a safety device, clothes pin, hook, or nail. Cut the bottom loop off of curtain and blind cords. This video demonstrates safety tips for blind cords.

Keep cribs, beds, tables, couches, and chairs away from windows with curtain and blind cords.

Keep stuffed animals, quilts, pillows, and bumper pads out of your baby’s crib. These objects can cover your child’s nose or mouth and cause suffocation. Plastic bags, plastic wrap, and latex balloons can also cause suffocation. Keep these out of reach of your child.

Your child’s skin can burn just like yours. It doesn’t matter what tone your skin is; you can still burn. Burned skin can be very uncomfortable. It also puts your child at risk for skin cancer.

Your child’s skin can burn in just 15 minutes. Your child’s skin can burn in every season. Clouds do not protect your child from getting a sun burn.

When your child is outside, the following sun safety steps are recommended.

• For children over 6 months old, put sunscreen on all of their skin that is not covered with clothing.
• Re-apply sunscreen frequently, especially if your child has been swimming or sweating.
• Dress your child in long sleeves and long pants even if it is hot outside. There are a lot of fabrics that your child can wear that will keep them cool.
• Your child should wear a hat that has a wide brim.
• Have your child play in the shade between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun is the hottest.
• Make sure that your child is drinking water frequently to avoid dehydration.

Until your baby is 6 months old, they cannot wear sunscreen. It is important that babies under 6 months of age are kept in the shade when outside.

Most children’s toys are recommended for a particular age of child. This recommendation can be found on the packaging of the toy. The suggested age levels on toy packages are based on safety and the child’s development. It is important to follow the recommendations. If you are given toys that are for an older age than your child, put them away for later use.

A child under the age of three has a tendency to put everything in their mouth. Toys with small parts can get stuck in their throat and choke them. A child can even choke on a broken crayon. Any object that can fit through a toilet paper roll can be a choking hazard.

Throw out broken toys.

Check toys for moving parts. Avoid buying toys with springs, gears, or hinges that could trap a child’s fingers, hair, or clothing.

Be sure toys do not have sharp edges or pointed pieces. Avoid toys with parts made of glass or rigid plastic. These can shatter and cause cuts.

Limit the use of noisy toys. Loud noises can hurt your child’s hearing.

Projectile toys, like darts, are dangerous for young children. They can cause eye injuries.

Many toys contain batteries. For important safety information click the Batteries button.

There are certain skills a child needs before they are able to cross the street safely by themself. Under the age of 5, your child will not have these skills yet. Commonly, it is stated that children do not have these skills until age 9.

There are lots of reasons why supervising your child is important when they are walking outside.

1. Children often focus on only one thing at a time. These are things that they are interested in and may not include traffic.
2. Children are easily distracted.
3. There is a lot of information that you need to work through to cross a road safely. Children are not able to process this information when they are young.
4. Children who are less than 4 feet in height might not be able to see cars. Also, drivers might not see small children.
5. A child’s ability to see what is going on at the side of their vision (peripheral vision) is not developed. When a child is looking straight ahead, they may not be able to detect movement to the side.
6. Children may not recognize the sound of a car.
7. Children may not be able to tell whether a sound is coming from their right or left.
8. Children cannot tell how fast a car is coming toward them.
9. Children have difficulty understanding how far away a vehicle is or how much space is between two vehicles.

Model the correct behaviour and teach your child how to safely cross streets. Make sure you accompany them across the street.

1. Stop at the corner.
2. Look left for any cars coming in the left traffic lane.
3. Look right for any cars coming in the right traffic lane.
4. Look left again to make sure there are still no cars approaching.
5. Turn head back and look over shoulder to see if cars are coming from behind.
6. Look forward to see if any cars are coming from in front of you.
7. Make eye contact with drivers so you know that they see you and they know that you see them.
8. Make sure that any cars have come to a complete stop before you start to cross the street.
9. Hold your child’s hand. Carefully cross the street, still looking left and right.

Sometimes parents think that they have to keep their children indoors during the winter. However, children need time outside, whatever the season. Children can play safely in Saskatchewan winters. Here are some tips for winter safety.

• Layer your child’s clothes.
• Cover as much skin as possible.
• Change wet clothes and boots if your child is planning to stay out.
• Remove wet clothes as soon as your child comes inside.

• Using a winter coat under the harness of a car seat can make the harness loose. In order to work properly, the harness needs to be tight.
• Instead of putting your child in the car seat with their coat on, put them in the harness first and place the coat on the child backwards with their arms through the arms of the jacket. You can lay the jacket on your children or use a blanket to keep your child warm.

• Strings or cords can get caught on playground equipment, in doors, on sleds, or on other objects. If this happens, your child can be strangled.
• Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf. If a scarf is used, tuck the ends into your child’s jacket.
• Attach mittens to your child’s jacket with clips on the end of the jacket sleeve, rather than a long string.

• Give children lots of water or warm drinks to help their bodies stay warm.

• It is important to ensure safe equipment is used and safe practices are followed to keep children safe during winter activities such as tobogganing, skiing, snowboarding, and skating (e.g., helmets).
• To prevent frostbite and hypothermia, limit time outdoors in cold weather and dress your child in layers of warm, loose clothing.

• Frostbite happens when a child’s skin freezes.
• Frostbite can happen if skin is not covered in cold temperatures.
• The most common body parts to get frostbite are the cheeks, ears, nose, hands, and feet.
• Click here for more information about frostbite.

• Hypothermia happens when your body loses heat faster than it can make heat.
• Hypothermia happens when a child is in cold temperatures for a long period of time.
• Click here for more information about hypothermia.

• Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health
• Child Safety Link
• Government of Canada: Battery Safety
• Government of Canada: Blind Cord Safety
• Government of Canada: Is your Child Safe Play Time
• Government of Canada: Health Risks and Safety
• Injury Prevention Centre (Alberta)
• Parachute. Preventing Injuries. Saving Lives
• Public Health Agency of Canada: Facts on Injury
• Saskatchewan Prevention Institute: Safety