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By
Catherine Pruissen
So
much of child safety depends on daily judgments, often
made in seconds, and on thinking three or four steps
ahead of your child in order to act or make choices
with prevention in mind. That's why, once again, we
offer you a potpourri of safety tips from the Canadian
Paediatric Society and Ross Laboratories, so that
you will become what they call "a Prevention
Expert, a Trouble Shooter or a Basic Rescuer."
Cars
and Bicycles
Always use the safety seat for your toddler. Allowing
them to romp in the car while your driving is a danger
to him and to you. If your child unbuckles a
safety belt, stop the car as soon as it is
convenient and tell the child the car is not going
anywhere until everyone is buckled up.
Explain to your child that putting his head or arms
out the window is dangerous. A child could be
blinded by a stone kicked up by traffic.
If you use a child carrier on the back of your bike,
make sure the feet are restrained in protective foot
rests. The child must be firmly strapped into
place. A safety helmet is essential. Beware
that even with these precautions, it is not a wise
way to transport a child. In some jurisdictions,
child carriers on bikes are prohibited.
The
Kitchen and Laundry
Your child should be engaged in an activity in a safe
place while you are cooking, in a playpen with her
toys, for example. Otherwise, in a moment she
could touch a hot oven door, or pull on the cord of
a plugged-in kettle or frying pan. Handles should
be turned in when pot are on the burner.
In
the laundry area, put a hot iron out of reach when
not in use.
Other
Rooms
Never leave a toddler alone in a room with an auxiliary
heater. Erect adequate barriers around wood
stoves and fireplaces.
Avoid
loose and flowing styles of children's sleepwear.
Loose nightgowns and robes are more likely to
drag across a stove element, heater or open fireplace
than snuggler-fitting polo-styles make of fire-retardant
fabrics.
Never
leave a barbecue or fire-starter unattended. After
use, keep an eye on the grill until it cools off.
(See
Business Forms in our Exclusive Products section to
order ready-to-use Accident/Illness/Injury Report
and other valuable forms and our Safety-Tip
of the Month Cards.)
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