Motor-Vehicle related accidents are the NUMBER 1 cause of death and serious injury to children aged 1-9 years in North America.
For The Moms:
Today we discussed life-saving tips and information to help keep our kids safe! Some of the things we talked about included the following:
CARSEAT SAFETY:
If your carseat is not properly installed, or being used appropriately it WILL NOT protect your child in the case of a collision. 8 out of 10 carseats are not used or installed properly. To ensure that you are using you carseat correctly refer to the instruction manual that came with your carseat and the owner's manual for your vehicle. Also be a good role-model for your child and ALWAYS buckle-up appropriately whenever you ride in a vehicle. For more information and helpful tips visit:
www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/carseat/choose.htm#older
To view instructional videos on how to properly install a carseat go to:
www.todaysparent.com/healthsafety/allages/article.jsp?content=20070315_150039_3628&page=6
NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD ALONE IN OR AROUND A VEHICLE:
...not even for one minute! The risks of leaving children alone in vehicles are great.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAVING A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE:
1) Hyper or Hypothermia: The temperature inside of a car can rise or drop (depending on the season) dramatically to levels which can seriously harm, or even kill a child much sooner than you would expect.
2) A Vehicle can easily be knocked into gear even when the key is not in the ignition, by a child left unattended in a vehicle which could cause a collision.
3) Power Windows: A Child could be seriously, or fatally injured by certain types of power windows when left unattended in a vehicle even when the key is not in the ignition.
4) Abduction: Your child could be unintentionally abducted by a car-theif waiting for you to leave your car un-locked and unattended. Leaving the key in the ignition of your vehicle greatly enchances the risk of vehicle theft.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAVING A CHILD UNATTENDED AROUND A VEHICLE:
1) Back-over: 50 children are backed over by vehicles in the US every week, 48 of these children are treated for serious injuries, while 2 will die. The most common victims are toddlers, and are often backed over by a parent, or loved one who is behind the wheel. Every vehicle has a blind zone behind it in which a small child CANNOT be seen, even when the driver performs all appropriate mirror and shoulder checks. The larger and higher up the vehicle is, the larger the blindspot.
2) Front-over: happens when children are hit in a forward-moving vehicle by a driver who cannot see them.
- Teach children NEVER to play unattended in driveways or garages, and do not keep toys, etc in these areas.
- Teach children that parked cars might move.
- Hold hands with your child when in a parking lot, or other heavily congested area.
- Make a habit of walking around your entire vehicle before getting in.
- Always account for all children present, and ensure that they are being watched by another adult BEFORE moving a vehicle.
For great videos, personal stories, and preventative safety tips and information PLEASE go to:
www.kidsandcars.org
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY:
A child is technically not developmentally ready to safely cross a street unattended until they are 9 years old. For great information on teaching your child pedestrian safety go to:
www.sickkids.ca/SKCForParents/custom/PEDParentTipSheet.pdf
Also consider contacting the Lethbridge Safety City Society to take advantage of opportunities to teach your children about pedestrian safety (317-1955)
For The Tots:
We talked and coloured in colouring books which helped to teach the kids safety skills for being in and around vehicles, and snacked on Rice-Crispy squares formed to look like little cars.
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