Safe spring and summer fun

• Make sure your child’s helmet meets Quebec and Canada’s standards. The markings ASTM, CPSC, CSA or Snell Foundation standards should appear on the helmet
• The helmet shout fit squarely on your child’s head
• A helmet pushed to the back of the head like a baseball cap is useless
• The chin strap should be attached tightly and allow minimal movement of the helmet when your child’s mouth is open or closed
• The distance between the eyebrow and the edge of the helmet should not be larger than the width of one finger
• Never use a helmet that has been damaged or if you don’t know its history. There may be damage that is not visible
• Helmets are recommended for many spring and summer sports, including: tricycling, bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding and scootering
• Wears other protective equipment appropriate for the specific sport, such as knee and elbow pads
• Ensure your child starts wearing a helmet as soon as he starts riding a tricycle
• Make sure bicycles, tricycles, etc, are the appropriate size and work properly

Teach children to:

• Know and follow road safety rules for cyclists
• Make certain they are always visible to motorists
• Use reflectors on their bicycles and clothing at night

NOTE: The Canadian Bike Helmet Coalition says wearing a helmet reduces the risk of brain injury by more than 85%. Traumatic head injuries continue to be a leading cause of death and disability among children and adolescents. Parents should set a good example by also wearing a helmet.

Scooters, Inline-skating and skateboarding

Parents and caregivers should teach children to:

• Use this equipment in areas designated for the activity and not on busy streets
• Teach hildren to wear protective helmets designed for these sports
• Wear helmets, elbow pads and knee pads
• Watch out for ^pedestrians
• Not ride “double”
• Wear gloves to protect their hands
• Follow road safety rules
• Make sure they are always visible to motorists

Parents and caregivers should:

• Not carry young children in backpack while they inline-skate or skateboard

Soccer

Parents and caregivers should:

• Make sure soccer net are well maintained and properly anchored so they cannot fall over
• Make sure there is adequate supervision

Teach children to:

• Not hang from the goal post. The net and fall forward and your child can be pinned underneath

Swimming

Parents and caregivers should:

• Make sure the swimming area is properly supervised
• Make sure swim in an area for which they have the appropriate skill level

Teach children to:

• Not dive into lakes or areas with shallow water
• Only dive off a diving board after proper instruction

Boating

• Make sure your child wears a proper fitting and approved life jacket
• Never stand in a boat
• Children should not go out in a boat alone

Playgrounds

Parents and caregivers should:

• Make sure equipment is safe and working properly
• Make sure surfaces under equipment have at least one foot of loosely packed sand or wood chips safe for playgrounds
• Make sure there is no broken glass or other sharp objects in the area
• Children use the play equipment for its intended purpose
• Children use age-appropriate equipment that does not exceed their abilities
• Parents or caregivers supervise the play

Trampolines

• Avoid trampolines and mini-trampolines they may cause serious injury

Enjoy your summer but do not forget to:

• Drink water or sports drinks before, during and after play
• Apply sunscreen often
• Wear a hat