Safe spring and summer fun
Cycling
Parents and caregivers should:
- 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