Client: Announcements
Date: June 19, 2012 ​

With the fun-filled summer season underway, BC Children’s Hospital and BC Ambulance Service are reminding everyone to be mindful of the risks of summertime activities – especially for children.

Ten key safety tips for summer include:

• ​​Bikes, Skateboards and Rollerblades – Helmets can significantly reduce the risk of brain injury for all ages when worn appropriately. Children should wear a helmet at all times, even on tricycles; a fall from as little as two feet can result in significant trauma to a child’s brain.
• Water and pools – Children can drown in less than five centimetres of water, so never leave a child unattended. Enroll your children and yourself in swimming lessons. Always empty wading pools after supervised use.
• Be vigilant about fast-moving rivers – Children, adults and pets can be swept away, which requires search and rescue responders, whose lives may also be put at risk.
• Sunburns – Children’s skin is more prone to burn than an adult’s. Be sure to liberally apply sunscreen, reapply often, especially after being in the water; children should wear a hat and take a break periodically to go indoors or sit in the shade.
• Guard against heatstroke – Move to the shade — take a break once in a while so that you don’t overdo sun exposure — and drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. Headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, clammy/pale skin and weak or rapid pulse are all common signs of heat exhaustion.
• Campfires and barbeques – Never leave a fire or barbecue unattended or use a campstove in a confined space; always keep children a safe distance from the heat. Remember that even a fire that has been recently put out can generate enough heat to cause a serious burn in a child.
• Breathe – Keep medication and inhalers with you at all times as hot and humid conditions and poor air quality can aggravate asthma and bronchitis.
• Falls from windows – It’s only natural to want to get some fresh air as the weather gets warmer. Move furniture away from windows and balcony rails to discourage a curious child from climbing up and falling out. Install window guards on windows above the ground level, to provide a gate in front of the window.
• Cars – Never leave a child or pet in your car – even with the windows partly rolled down as the interior temperature can reach 50 degrees Celsius in as little as 10 minutes.
• Travel – Be sure to keep your cell phone charged, and consider purchasing a second battery. Always have a first aid kit in the car. Make note of landmarks and direction so emergency personnel can find your location easily.

For More Information
PSA: Summertime Living Tips to Keep Kids Safe​