Put safety first this long weekend
Because injury is no accident
Long weekends can mean highway travel, boating trips, camping, swimming and fun at the cottage. While all these activities create lasting summer memories, they all share the potential for injury. Be prepared for a safe and fun season.
If you’re heading to the cottage or campsite this weekend, Canadian Red Cross asks you to consider these important safety tips.
Safety in, on, and around water
- Have everyone try on their lifejacket to see that it still fits and that all the zippers and buckles are in good working order.
- When boating, always wear a lifejacket. Even in nice weather, even close to shore. On average, more than 500 people drown every year in Canada. Lifejackets really do save lives.
- Power boaters need to have their Pleasure Craft Operator Card in order to operate a boat.
- If you’re staying near the water at a campsite, cottage or resort, always supervise children. Kids love water and may wander over ‘just to take a look’, or to get that beach ball that’s bobbing on the surface.
Prevent injuries
- Buckle up. Infants and young children should be in a car seat or size-appropriate booster seat.
- Hot dogs around the campfire are great but can be easily lodged in young children’s throats. If you have toddlers, make sure to cut the hotdog lengthwise and then into small pieces.
- Review fire safety rules with the kids. They shouldn’t play with matches, poke the fire, or roughhouse near the flames where they might fall in.
- Be sure children play on age-appropriate playground equipment. Falls are a leading cause of injury for kids.
- Keep pool chemicals, pest control substances and cleaners out of reach of children.
Get trained!
Before you head out this weekend, leave yourself a note to sign up for training. Getting trained could reduce your own chances of being injured by as much as 40%!
- Get the kids (and even adults!) into Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety lessons.
- Sign up for Red Cross First Aid classes or recertify your current skills.
- Call 1-877-356-3226 to learn more about safety and Red Cross training.
