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Did you know?
The Cottage:
A Safe Place
To Be
When opening the cottage, remember to check all decks, stairs and docks for rotten wood and lifted nails. You can take simple measures to prevent a child from falling and becoming injured — replace rotten wood planks, tighten stairs if they are loose and pound all nails completely into the wood so that falls and puncture wounds don't occur.
On waterslides, check to make sure all stairs and railings are intact. Spacing between railings needs to be checked to ensure children do not fall through gaps that are too large. Replace and/or repair stairs or railings that are rotten, broken or falling apart.
Prevent injuries by inspecting areas of the cottage and the property where guests and children will live and play. Make the cottage environment as safe as you would your home environment.
Remember to put the Poison Control Information and Emergency phone numbers close to the phone. This could easily be overlooked and in some rural areas access to 911 is not available. Research the emergency phone numbers for your cottage area. Have clear directions to your cottage posted close to the phone in case one of your older children or guests is calling for help. Since most cottages don't have a street address as we do in the city, a unique identifier might also be useful if emergency help ever has to find your cottage.
Source: CHEO Plan-It-Safe
Child Drownings
Child drownings occur most often when they are simply playing near water (lake, pool, river, etc.) than when they are actually swimming. Be vigilant and be there beside them.
Superman Can Fly… Your Kid Can’t!
Falls from windows happen every year. During warmer climate with windows open more often, parents and caregivers for children have to be extra vigilant about the dangers of falls through windows. Most falls from windows occur during the spring and summer months.
Don’t rely on insect screens on your window to keep children from falling out. Child safety latches on windows are a good idea. Or, you may want to consider window guards for windows that are not on your fire escape route. These guard bars prevent children from falling through open windows. Keep boxes, furniture or other items away from windows that children may use to access the window. Remember, that children of all ages are good climbers so do not leave a child unattended that has access to an open window.
Finally, watch out for your superhero-kids. They may attempt to fly. Children playing dress-up tend to overestimate their abilities. Role-playing is healthy and should be encouraged; however, a discussion about human’s limitations would be in order.
Source: Health Sciences
Winnipeg
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