Child Safety (Child-Proofing)

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children in Canada and a leading cause of hospitalization. Preventable injuries kill more Canadian children than any single disease. Many of these injuries are predictable and preventable. Everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe. Children are active, curious, and often excitable; these are all attributes that put them at risk of injury.

Although injuries can happen anywhere, most happen at home. Parents and caregivers can take steps to help prevent injuries to their young children. From birth to age five, children are particularly vulnerable to injuries in the home.

Check out the Safety With Radar Activity Book from Health Canada for various activites (e.g. word searches and matching games) related to indoor and outdoor safety for children.

Keeping children safe at home:

• Living Room: Secure heavy furniture to the wall such as televisions or bookcases.
• Kitchen: Turn pot handles in. Keep knives and sharp utensils out of reach.
• Bathroom: Lock all cabinets containing drugs, shampoo, etc. Turn the water temperature to 49°C.
• Stairs: Install gates at the top and bottom.
• Balconies: Do not leave children alone on balconies. Remove chairs, tables, flower pots that they can climb on.
• Basement and Garage: Keep tools, paints, insecticides, and other poisons out of reach.

Keeping children safe outside their home:

• Wear a helmet for wheeled activities.
• Install car/booster seat properly in the back of the vehicle.
• Ensure playground equipment is well anchored and play areas have soft surfaces (wood chips, pea gravel or sand).
• Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) around water.
• Teach children to swim.

Services related to this information:

• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555