Cold Weather Activities
Dress you and yours warmly. The best way is to dress in layers. Take extra clothes with you, in case you take too many dives into the snow and find yourself soaking wet. Have good, warm and water-proof boots on, gloves and a hat. If your feet and head are warm, the rest of you will be too. Then you will enjoy your day much more.
If your child loves to skate 'think twice, check the ice.' Ice should be no less than 6 inches thick and always keep ropes and long poles handy for rescues if needed. Remember to have your kids 'geared up' properly. Helmuts, knee pads and skates that are too tight will cause frostbite.
If your child is shivering, that is a good indication that he/she needs to warms up right away. Young children cannot tell when they have frostbite. Frostbite is ice in the skin - it looks pale and feels numb. Warm the area with your hands, but do not rub!! Get medical attention right away.
If your winter activities brings you to the mountains skiing or snowmobiling - survivl packs and first aid kits should be a must!! If something should happen, whether it be an avalanche or a hidden hole, you will find your child much quicker and probably O.K. if you have a beacon (tracking device) on them. These are a little pricey, but can you put a dollar amount on a loved one's life?
All in all, winter can be the most fun or the most dangerous. It is most important that your child knows the safety rules and has fun within the boundries you chose. Close supervision is the best way to ensure the safety of your child.
The Car Ride
If your child is under 40lbs and/or less than 40 inches, they need to be in a car seat. Constant use of these seats is vital. Most fatal accidents occur at speeds less than 40mph and close to home.
If your child seat has been in an accident previously, DO NOT use it. It would be difficult to know if the integrity of the seat has been preserved.
Even though most children are restrained in some form of safety device, there is a significant error rate on the behalf of the user. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Safety checks on children's car seats have shown 80% of the seats inspected are not installed correctly.
All children who are under the age of 12, should be in the back seat.
Be an example and buckle up too!!!!
Bike Smarts?
PARENTS it is your responsibility to ensure that your children are bike smart! Ask yourself these questions:
- Is your child fully equipped with safety gear and a properly-fitted helmet?
- Has your child mastered the basics of bike riding?
- Is your child old enough to understand traffic laws?
- Has your child learned safety rules . . . and the rules of road?
- Will your child remember and obey those rules?
When your child is ready to discover the freedom of bike-riding as opposed ro walking, take some time to go over safety tips and the dos and don'ts with them.
First thing's first. Is the child's bike the right size? When they first learn to ride a bike, their feet should be able to touch the ground with both feet flat when they are sitting of their bike.
Their body should lean forward slightly when their hands are touching the handle bars.
Once they are ready to ride their bike comfortably and easily, the seat should be adjusted to that their leg is slightly bent when their feet are on the pedal and the pedal is at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
When chosing a bike, a sturdy single speed bike is recommended for youngsters and beginners. Bikes with handle brakes are not recommended either. A child's hand is not usually strong enough for these brakes. As the your child gets older, then a "bigger and better" bike with gears and hand brakes and a lighter weight will good for an upgrade.
TIPS FOR KIDS
- Learn to ride your bike before you go out on the road.
- Learn to signal and shoulder check properly.
- Pull off the road the road if you stop for any reason.
- Don't ride after dark without lights.
- Always check for traffic before entering the road.
- Don't ride too fast.
- Carry identification with you.
- Report to an adult if you are in accident.
- Wear a bike helmut, it not only protects your head, but it is the law.
- Ensure your helmut fits properly.
- Clip in the legs of long pants if your bike has no chain guard.
- Make sure your shoe laces are done up!
- Stop at all stop signs and look out for traffic.
- Stop and check for traffic when coming out from lanes and driveways.
- Always follow the STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN rule
- When the weather is bad, don't go too fast or turn too quickly.
- Be extra careful at intersections.
- REMEMBER cars cannot stop quickly on wet, slippery roads and neither can you.
- Always keep to the right of the road except when making a left hand turn.
- Give pedestrians the right-away.
- Ride at a safe distance from vehicles.
- Learn to check over your shoulder without wobbling.
- Always ride in single file.
- Always be in control of your bike.
- Never ride against the traffic.
- Always watch for cars that are turning and may not have seen you.
- Watch for parked cars pulling away form the curb.
- Watch for doors being opened as you ride by.
- Never carry packages or bundles; use a carrier.
- Always keep both hands on the handlebars unless signalling to turn.
- Never try ro pass a moving car.
- Never go from one lane to another to beat the traffic.
- Never tow anything from the back of your bike.
- Never hitch a ride onto a car.
- Never double on your bike.
- ALWAYS lock your bike up when you are not using it.
In-Line Skating
Always wear safety gear such as: a helmet, elbow pads, wrist guards, knee pads and gloves.
The majority of injuries that occur are to the head, wrists and legs.
Learn how to skate properly, with instructions.
Learn how to stop safely.
Skate on smooth, paved surfaces without any traffic.
Avoid skating in areas with danger lurking on the side of the road... gravel, water.
Do not skate at night.
Halloween Safety
DID YOU KNOW... the three most common Halloween related injuries are:
- Eye abrasions from sharp objects attached to masks or costumes.
- Skin irritations or rashes from decorative face paints or creams.
- Burns from flammable costumes being ignited by open flames (candles, Jack ÔO Lanterns).
REMIND YOUR CHILDREN THAT THEY SHOULD ALWAYS...
- Carry a flashlight.
- Walk on sidewalks and driveways.
- Cross only at corners.
- Never cross between parked cars.
- Walk facing the oncoming traffic it there is no sidewalk.
- Always remove masks before crossing the street.
- Be aware of cars that may be turning into or backing out of driveways.
- DonÕt play near lit jack Ôo lanterns.
- Never go into a strangerÕs house.
- Visit only houses where the lights are on.
- Be sure and say thank you for your treats.
PARENTS-REMEMBER YOU SHOULD ALWAYS...
- Know the route that your children will be taking.
- Make sure children are accompanied by an adult.
- Know what other activities a child may be attending, such as parties.
- Set time limits on when children should return home.
- Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism.
- Instruct your children not to eat treats until they return home and you have had a chance to inspect those treats.
MOTORISTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS SHOULD...
- Drive cautiously. Excited youngsters may forget some of these safety rules and dart out in front of your car.
- Remove all obstacles from lawns and steps to prevent children from being injured.
- Have a well lighted home, both inside and out, to prevent vandalism and to prevent injuries to little ghosts and goblins.
COSTUME AND FIRE SAFETY
Flame Resistant Costumes:
When purchasing costumes, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant. Although this label does not mean these items wonÕt catch fire, it does not mean these items wonÕt catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
Costume Design:
Reflective Tape: Costumes should be light and include Reflective Tape. Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible to motorists. Include a flashlight or reflector strips on the costume, so that children can be seen.
Size: Costumes should be short enough so that children wonÕt trip and fall.
Shoes: Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. MotherÕs high-heels are not a good idea for safe walking.
Hats, Scarves: Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over childrenÕs eyes.
Masks vs. Cosmetics: Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. However, if your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
Swords, Knives: If you can avoid swords or knives, but if you need to include them in your childÕs costume, they should be made of soft, flexible material.
