Dear Parent(s) and Caregiver(s), - London, Ontario · Dear Parent(s) and Caregiver(s), We are currently learning about Fire and Burn Prevention in the Risk Watch® program. Students

Dear Parent(s) and Caregiver(s),

Our class is learning about injury prevention through an exciting program called Risk Watch®. Developed originally by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Risk Watch is a comprehensive resource designed to provide children in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 with the knowledge and critical thinking skills to make smart choices in their lives in order to prevent unintentional injury to themselves or others. The program targets the top eight risk areas for this age group:

Motor Vehicle Safety Fire and Burn Prevention Choking, Suffocation and Strangulation Prevention Poisoning Prevention Falls and Playground Injury Prevention Firearms Injury Prevention Bike and Pedestrian Safety Water and Ice Safety

Why is it so important to teach children the significance of making safe choices? Unintentional injury is the leading cause of disability and death among school-age children in Canada. Most of these injuries are predictable and preventable. By educating children about risks and teaching them the skills to make safe choices, we can reduce both the occurrence and the consequences of unintentional injury. During each Risk Watch lesson, students will be participating in discussions and critical thinking activities designed to enhance their knowledge and provide them with strategies to make safe choices. In the early years, children are natural storytellers and their stories come from their day-to-day experiences. Through storytelling, children can apply the critical thinking skills they are learning as a way to rehearse for situations in their own lives. Your child will have many opportunities to step into the character role of “storyteller” and to share his or her thoughts and experiences and he or she learns new injury prevention skills. Children tell stories in many forms. We will use opportunities with art, puppetry, drama, song, dance and movement to enhance storytelling during Risk Watch learning. Some of the Risk Watch activities involve working with family members. Your assistance and support in working with your child at home is greatly appreciated. As well, family information sheets may be sent home throughout the program. Review the information with your family and take the opportunity to discuss with your child what he or she is learning about injury prevention at school.

Mod. PreK and K – Caregiver Letters

As a teacher, I am committed to helping my students reach their full potential. Providing them with knowledge about risks and the critical thinking skills to make safe choices is an important first step. I look forward to working with you to make injury prevention a part of your family by becoming “Risk Watchers” at home. Sincerely,


We are currently learning about Motor Vehicle Safety in the Risk Watch® program. Students are participating in activities to learn and reinforce behaviours to prevent motor vehicle injuries. Please ask your child to share what we are learning at school and reinforce the messages. For parents and caregivers wishing additional information about Motor Vehicle Safety, extra information has been provided below. As well, some tips for what you can do with your child at home are included. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. Sincerely, Extra Information for Parents and Caregivers The “Kid Zone” is the back seat of a vehicle – the safest place for children ages 12

or under. Child seats are extremely effective when installed and used correctly. Always

follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and for the height and weight limits. Use a forward-facing child seat from 10 kg (22 lbs.) to 18 kg (40 lbs.), generally from about ages 1 to 4.5 years. Children weighing over 18 kg (40 lbs.) are ready to use a booster seat. The booster

seat will keep the seat belt in the correct place over the child’s body. Most children weighing more than 36 kg (80 lbs.) are big enough to wear a lap-shoulder belt, although some new booster seats protect children up to even 45 kg (100 lbs.). The safest place for a child or booster seat is in the back seat of a motor vehicle.

Child or booster seats should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and away from side air bags, when possible. If it is necessary to place the child or booster seat near a door with side air bags, the area between the seat and the door needs to be clear of all objects so they will not cause injury if the air bag inflates. Children need to be reminded not to lean out of child or booster seats and to keep

head, arms and feet away from doors. When wearing a lap-shoulder belt, children should be tall enough for their knees

to bend over the edge of the seat when their backs are resting firmly against the back seat. If the shoulder portion of the lap-shoulder belt comes across the neck, rather than the chest, and the lap belt does not rest low across the hip, children should still be in a booster seat.

Mod. PreK and K

Children riding in the “Kid Zone” are as far away as possible from the dangers of a front-end collision. They are also far from the front seat air bags, which can cause serious injuries or even death to youngsters. Children who are kept away from the path of side air bags, by travelling in age-appropriate, correctly installed child restraints, are not at risk of serious injury from them either.

Continued

– Caregiver Letters

Be a role model for your child. Buckle up and insist that all passengers in your

vehicle buckle up before you start to drive – even for the shortest trips. School bus seats are designed with high backs and soft, energy absorbing

materials to protect children when they sit facing forward at all times. Young children need to hold hands with an adult or “bus patroller” when

crossing the road in front of the bus. They need to walk 3 metres (10 feet) or 5 giant steps beyond the front of the bus so the driver can see them. It is best if the bus driver gives a signal for the child to cross. Teach children to look left for approaching vehicles, look right and then look left again (or “look all ways” for young children who have not yet learned left and right) and to keep looking while crossing. They need to make eye contact with the bus driver and with other drivers on the road to make sure they can be seen. Research has shown that most children under the age of nine don’t have the

ability to make good choices on their own about traffic because they aren’t developmentally ready. While they may know and understand safe behaviours, their brains can’t always process multiple pieces of information or a complex chain of events. They don’t always recognize danger or react to it appropriately. Children under nine require an adult to accompany them when crossing the street and when getting to the school bus.

What You Can Do At Home Do an injury prevention check every time your family gets in a vehicle. Your child

can call out everyone’s name in the vehicle before it begins to travel. Each person answers with “check” if he or she is securely buckled up in a child seat, booster seat or a lap-shoulder belt. When all passengers have indicated that they are buckled up, your child can then call out, “Ready for take-off!” Review appropriate behaviours with your child for riding in a motor vehicle or

on a school bus.



We are currently learning about Fire and Burn Prevention in the Risk Watch®

program. Students are participating in activities to learn and reinforce behaviours to prevent fire and burn injuries. Please ask your child to share the information we are learning at school and reinforce the messages. For parents and caregivers wishing additional information about fire and burn injury prevention, extra information has been provided below. As well, some tips about what you can do with your child at home are included. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Sincerely,

Extra Information for Parents and Caregivers Matches and lighters need to be kept out of the sight and reach of children,

preferably in a locked cabinet. Disposable lighters sold in Canada are child-resistant (as of June 1995). But child-resistant does not mean childproof! Test smoke alarms monthly and change batteries annually or whenever the unit

“chirps” to warn of low battery power. Make sure there is a smoke alarm on every storey in your home (including the

basement) and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, install one in every bedroom. Supervise young children at all times when they are in the bathroom or kitchen,

or in an area where there are hot objects or fire (e.g. gas or wood-burning fireplaces, barbecues, space heaters, campfires). In the kitchen, turn pot handles inwards, toward the back of the stove, so that pots won’t be knocked off or pulled down by children. Scald injuries can result from turning on the hot water faucet in a tub or sink, or

when there is a hot liquid (such as coffee, tea or cocoa) around. Children’s skin is thinner than that of adults and therefore burns at lower temperatures and more deeply. For example, a child exposed to hot tap water at 60ºC (140ºF) for 3 seconds will sustain a third-degree burn, an injury often requiring hospitalization and skin grafts. Home hot tap water temperatures must be no hotter than 49ºC (120ºF) to prevent serious scalds.

When running bath water in the tub, it is wise to turn on the cold water first and then add hot water to reach the desired temperature. Running bath water while a child is in the tub is not a wise choice. An adult needs to remain with young children the entire time they are bathing. Children need to be out of the way while you are cooking or making hot drinks to

avoid getting burned or scalded. A one-metre (3-foot) “safety zone” around the stove is a safe distance. You can mark the area with masking tape to remind young children.

Continued


If someone burns his or her skin by touching a hot object or liquid, immediately run cool water over the burn for 3 to 5 minutes. The cool water will prevent further burning and relieve the pain. Make sure lit candles are supervised at all times. Blow candles out when leaving

the room, even for a few moments. Keep candles out of bedrooms. They are a dangerous fire hazard. Watch out for light bulbs touching anything, including lampshades. Halogen lamps burn very hot and present a serious fire hazard if not used

properly. Avoid using halogen lamps in children’s bedrooms where children can tip them over or where they can ignite clothing or toys. Dangling cords from electrical appliances are a hazard to curious children who

may pull on them. Make sure electrical cords are out of reach and unplug electrical appliances when not in use.

Keep exits from rooms clear of furniture, toys and other objects. Windows covered by security bars need to have quick release devices. Keep keys for locked doors in or close to locks. Choose snug-fitting sleepwear for children. Loose, baggy sleepwear, such as

oversized T-shirts can catch fire more easily. What You Can Do At Home Attached is the Risk Watch Family Fire Survival Plan Caregiver letter. Please read

it and follow the instructions. It is very important to create and practise a home fire escape plan with all the members of your family. This will not only reassure your child, but also help to prevent injury or death in the event of a fire. Have your child look for and locate smoke alarms at home and share how many

and in what rooms they found them.



Each year in Canada, fire kills over 300 people and injures 2,500 more. Where are people most at risk for fire? At home – in the very place where they feel the safest. It is essential to prevent fire in our homes and this is easy to do by following some simple fire safety practices. However, people can survive fires in their homes if they are alerted to the fire in its early stages and if they get out quickly and stay out. It is important to create a home fire escape plan before a fire occurs so everyone knows what to do. Making a step-by-step plan in advance, with those you live with, is the smartest choice. Install smoke alarms on every storey of your home, including the basement and outside each sleeping area. For added protection install one in all bedrooms. It is important to detect a fire in its early stages. Smoke alarms need to be tested monthly and batteries should be replaced annually or whenever the unit “chirps” to warn of low battery power. Make sure that everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE ABOUT ESCAPE PLANNING Some studies have shown that some children may not awaken to the sound of the smoke alarm. Know what your child will do before a fire occurs. Children are dependent on adults for their escape in the case of a fire. When the smoke alarm sounds, every second matters. It is important to have a home fire escape plan in place and to know how each person will react to a smoke alarm at night. The issue is not limited to children. Older adults, hearing impaired persons, people who have been drinking heavily or who are on certain medications, as well as deep sleepers, are also at risk. If a child or adult is likely not to wake up to the alarm, someone should be assigned to make sure that person is awakened. As well, a person prone to sleeping heavily needs to be in a bedroom situated close to the rest of the family. Canadian fire services recommend that there is a working smoke alarm on every storey of the home (including the basement) and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, install one in every bedroom.

1. Make a floor plan of your home together with your family. Label the rooms and mark all doors, windows, hallways and stairways. Use the grid on the reverse side of this letter to draw your plan.

2. Plan two ways out of all areas. If smoke or fire blocks one route, the second way out could save your life. Discuss the escape routes with every member of your household. For two storey houses, make sure you have two safe and accessible ways to the ground. If you live in a high-rise, know what to do when the fire alarm sounds and how to evacuate the apartment building. Know how to protect yourself inside your apartment in the event you cannot leave the building. Always use the exit stairs, never an elevator. In all cases, plan to assist family members who cannot escape on their own.

3. Make sure windows can be opened easily. Windows or doors with security bars need to be equipped with quick-release devices. Young children, persons with disabilities and some older adults will need adult assistance to safely evacuate any building. If you must use an escape ladder, be sure everyone understands how it works. These ladders should only be used in an emergency.

4. Choose a meeting place outside the home where everyone will meet. Someone should be sent to a neighbour’s home to call 9-1-1 (or the emergency number for your area) and report back to the family meeting place. Count heads and inform firefighters if anyone is missing. Mark your outside meeting place on the floor plan.

5. Practise your plan at least twice a year. Have everyone participate. Remember – a fire drill is not a race. Get out quickly, but carefully. Practise the special arrangements for young children, older adults and persons with disabilities and make sure everyone understands the planned escape routes.

6. Once out, stay out! Do not go back inside for any reason. If people or pets are trapped inside, firefighters have the best chance of rescuing them.

Take the time to plan and practise your home fire escape plan. It could be a lifesaving family project.

Continued


Family Escape Plan



We are currently learning about Choking, Suffocation and Strangulation Prevention in the Risk Watch® program. Students are participating in activities to learn and reinforce behaviours to prevent choking, suffocation and strangulation injuries. Please ask your child to share the information we are learning at school and reinforce the messages. For parents and caregivers wishing additional information about choking, suffocation and strangulation injury prevention, extra information has been provided below. As well, some tips about what you can do with your child at home are included. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Sincerely, Extra Information for Parents and Caregivers Toddlers and small children can choke easily because they have smaller airways,

undeveloped throat muscles and a tendency to put things in their mouths. Young children are at risk from choking on small, round foods such as hot dogs,

candies, nuts, grapes, marshmallows and popcorn. Cut all food into small pieces before giving it to a child. Many non-food items are dangerous choking hazards (e.g. coins, balloons,

marbles, buttons, small parts of toys, jewellery, beads). These items need to be kept away from babies, toddlers and young children. Call the Red Cross or St. John’s Ambulance to take a course to learn the

abdominal thrust (formerly the Heimlich manoeuvre), so that you know how to help a person who is choking. According to Health Canada, balloons are the leading non-food cause of choking

death in children. It is dangerous for children to play with uninflated, broken or deflated balloons because they can choke on them. Always blow up balloons for children and supervise children playing with balloons. Providing foil (mylar) balloons instead of latex balloons is a good choice.

It is a wise choice to remove cords and drawstrings from hoods, hats and jackets to prevent strangulation when your child is playing outdoors. Clip mittens to jacket cuffs rather than tying them to a cord around your child’s

neck. Always remove ropes and skipping ropes that are found tied to playground

apparatus and explain to children that it is dangerous to tie any type of rope to playground equipment. Window blind and curtain cords and chains have been linked to a number of

fatalities involving young children. Cut and tie up cords or chains out of the reach of young children.

Continued


Yo-yo balls have been associated with strangulation. The Government of Canada

has issued a ban on the sale, advertisement and importation of these products. Discard these toys by cutting them up and throwing them out so that another child will not be able to use them. According to Health Canada, toy boxes that have heavy unsupported lids and/or

lack holes for ventilation are the second leading cause of toy-related deaths among young children. Make sure that toy boxes, including homemade ones, have a hinged lid designed to stay open under force to prevent the lid from falling and trapping your child in the toy box. Remove the lid if it does not have this kind of design. All toy boxes with lids should have sufficient holes for ventilation so that if a child climbs inside, he or she does not suffocate.

The upper bed of a bunkbed is hazardous when used for children under six. Children can suffocate when their bodies slip between the guard rail and the mattress and their faces become stuck against the mattress. Buy bunkbeds that meet safety standards ASTM F-1427-96 and 16 CFR (parts 1213, 1500 and 1513). Ask before you buy.

What You Can Do At Home Spend time with your child inspecting his or her toys at home. Look for small

parts that could be easily swallowed by curious younger brothers and sisters or baby and toddler visitors. As well, point out examples of toys that have an age warning on their packages (e.g. choking hazard; small parts – not to be used by children under three). Toys with choking hazards need to be kept out of the hands of children. What strategies can you and your child develop together to avoid these choking hazards in the home? Prepare your child to present a “Show and Tell” to share the results of his or her inspection and development of strategies.



We are currently learning about Poisoning Prevention in the Risk Watch® program. Students are participating in activities to learn and reinforce behaviours to prevent poisoning injuries. Please ask your child to share the information we are learning at school and reinforce the messages. For parents and caregivers wishing additional information about poisoning prevention, extra information has been provided below. As well, some tips about what you can do with your child at home are included. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Mod. PreK and K


Sincerely,

Extra Information for Parents and Caregivers Children who are poisoned are often attracted to prescription and non-

prescription medicines because of their shape, colour and smell. Avoid taking medicines in front of children, and never refer to medicine as candy. Medicines and poisonous substances need to be stored in their original containers

because content information needed by a Poison Information Centre or physician is listed on the label. Many poisons look harmless when not in their original containers. As well, the labels of original containers may identify the Hazard Symbols associated with the product and original containers may have child-resistant closures. Keep medicines (e.g. prescription and non-prescription, vitamins) and all

poisonous products with any of the four Hazard Symbols where children and pets cannot SEE or REACH them. Locking them up in a container (e.g. toolbox, tackle box) or cabinet with a padlock is the best choice. Purchase medicines with child-resistant caps. BE AWARE! Child-resistant does

not mean childproof. Two out of 10 children are able to open child-resistant caps very easily (in less than 5 minutes).

Discard old medicines. Ask your pharmacist for proper disposal procedures. Lead is hazardous to human health. Even small amounts of absorbed lead can be

harmful to the intellectual and behavioural development of young children and infants. Health Canada advises Canadians to remove inexpensive jewellery that may

contain lead from children who are likely to suck or chew on the items. Lead is found in both imported and Canadian-made jewellery and is available in a variety of shapes and sizes, from stores and vending machines. The items may be uncoated, metal plated or coated with enamel.

Source: Health Canada Advisory, Health Canada Online January 2001

Continued

Discard any syrup of ipecac in the home. It is not recommended as a home remedy for treating children who have swallowed poisons.


Children with food allergies can become seriously ill or even die when products containing the allergy-producing items are eaten, touched or smelled. Check with children who visit your home for any allergies.

What You Can Do At Home Post the phone number of the Poison Information Centre and your family

physician on or near every telephone. Call immediately if a poisoning occurs. Go on a home search with your child to determine where medicines and

hazardous products are located. Brainstorm together with all family members to determine safe storage methods and locations. Remove any potentially harmful products to a locked storage container. Have your child draw a picture of the search and bring the picture to school to share. Go to the Health Canada, Product Safety website at www.hc-

sc.gc.ca/hecssesc/cps/staysafe/preschool/toc.htm to download their new program booklet, Stay Safe: An Education Guide to Hazard Symbols. It contains many printable and on-line activities and games for preschool and kindergarten classrooms to help children and their families reinforce their learning about the Hazard Symbols.

LIST OF POTENTIAL POISONS over-the-counter and

prescription medications vitamins and minerals herbal products and

naturopathic remedies laundry and household

cleaning and polishing products bleach first aid solutions and

creams alcoholic beverages vanilla extract and other

types of baking extracts mouthwash aftershaves and colognes cosmetics and perfumes rubbing alcohol hairspray and hair care

products antifreeze, windshield

washer fluid, gasoline, motor oil and other car care products paint and paint thinner kerosene lighter fluid insecticides herbicides fertilizers moth balls craft and hobby supplies plants (especially

diefenbachia, philodendron and some types of ivy and fern), wild mushrooms and berries tobacco products lamp oil infant products such as

baby oil Note: No list is ever complete. When in doubt, assume a product is poisonous. Source: Calgary Health Region (January 2003) Alberta Children’s Services, Government of Alberta 2001

A SPECIAL MESSAGE ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless toxic gas produced by the incomplete burning of fuels. Carbon monoxide inhibits the blood’s ability to absorb and transport oxygen. Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, impaired judgment, confusion and even lack of consciousness. In severe cases of CO poisoning, brain damage or death can occur. Children, older adults, people with heart and respiratory conditions and pets maybe more sensitive to CO and may feel the effects sooner. If CO poisoning is suspected, leave the area immediately, call 9-1-1 or the local fire department and seek medical attention. Fuel burning appliances such as gas furnaces and water heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves and kerosene heaters produce CO when there is incomplete combustion of the fuel. When properly installed, maintained and vented, any CO produced by any of these devices will not stay inside the home. As well, because CO is produced from idling gasoline-powered vehicles, always ensure garage doors are left open when vehicles are running, and only use gas-powered equipment (e.g. chainsaws, lawnmowers) outside to ensure proper ventilation. To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, install Canadian Standards Association certified carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas. When purchasing a carbon monoxide alarm, make sure it is labelled CAN/CGA – 6.19 Revision 1999 or CSA 6.19 2001. Units tested and certified by the CSA will show the CSA (blue flame) logo. It is important for everyone to know the difference between the sound of the CO alarm and smoke alarm and what to do when either one sounds.


We are currently learning about Falls and Playground Injury Prevention in the Risk Watch® program. Students are participating in activities to learn and reinforce behaviours to prevent falls and playground injuries. Please ask your child to share the information we are learning at school and reinforce the messages. For parents and caregivers wishing additional information about falls and playground injury prevention, extra information has been provided below. As well, some tips about what you can do with your child at home are included. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Mod. PreK and K

Sincerely, Extra Information for Parents and Caregivers Children must be supervised at all times around open windows. Screens will not

prevent children from falling out. Window guards are available to prevent children from falling. Place window

guards only on windows not to be used as a fire exit, unless they are equipped with a quick release mechanism that can be opened easily from the inside. Move furniture away from windows so children cannot climb and fall out. Open balconies, fire escapes and high porches are not safe play areas for children.

Ladders, stepstools, chairs and other furniture pieces, as well as outdoor decks, fences and trees are all attractive incentives for young children to climb. Discourage climbing except in approved playground areas with adult supervision. Make sure that deck railings are secure. Anchor equipment and furniture so they cannot topple over. Bunk beds can be dangerous. Make sure the top bunk has guard rails on all four

sides of the bed. Attach the ladder securely to the bed. The top bunk is a safe choice only for children over the age of six. Public playground equipment needs to be located on surfacing that meets the

requirements of the Canadian Standards Association’s standard on Children’s Playspaces and Equipment. The CSA standards do not formally apply to home play equipment. Safe Kids

Canada has further information on making home playgrounds safe. They can be contacted at 1-888-SAFE-TIPS (1-888-723-3847) or visit their website at www.safekidscanada.ca.


Good loose-fill natural materials for playground surfaces include sand, pea gravel, shredded bark mulch and wood chips, at specific depths and tested for impact absorption. A depth of at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) of these materials will help absorb a

child’s fall.

Continued

Be extra cautious during winter months, as these approved surfaces can become frozen and hard-packed. Grass, dirt, asphalt or concrete do not provide adequate cushioning in case of a

fall. To prevent injuries, ensure that the equipment and surfacing are properly

maintained. Inspect playground equipment regularly and make repairs or remove broken items. Take off anything that could strangle children before they go out to play. Remove

drawstrings from clothing and necklaces that could become entangled. In winter, use clips instead of strings to hold mittens. Neck warmers are preferable to scarves in cold weather. Tuck in scarves or loose clothing to prevent them from catching on playground equipment. Ensure that children do not tie ropes to playground equipment or fences. Teach children to remove bike helmets before playing on equipment.


Supervise actively. Keep an eye on the behaviour of children and encourage wise choices as they play.

What You Can Do At Home Work together with your child to make a list of the rooms (include hallways) in

your home and indicate the potential hazards for falls that may exist in each area. Discuss what could be done to eliminate the hazards and prevent falls from happening in these rooms.



We are currently learning about Firearms Injury Prevention in the Risk Watch®

program. Students are participating in activities to learn and reinforce behaviours to prevent firearms injuries. Please ask your child to share the information we are learning at school and reinforce the messages. For parents and caregivers wishing additional information about firearms injury prevention, extra information has been provided below. As well, some tips about what you can do with your child at home are included. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. Sincerely,

Extra Information for Parents and Caregivers Nearly all childhood unintentional shooting deaths occur in or around the home.

Most of these shooting deaths involve firearms that have been kept loaded and that are accessible to children. The primary danger associated with ammunition is unintentional discharge,

especially when children of any age view ammunition as a toy. For example, using a hammer to break open a bullet to see what is inside or throwing ammunition into a fire can lead to discharge and unintentional injury or even death. Canadian legislation requires that firearms must be stored unloaded and unable

to be fired (usually through a locking device), OR stored in a securely locked location AND in a place where ammunition is not easily accessible. Firearms and ammunition can be stored in the same location if the ammunition is kept in a securely locked container that cannot be easily broken into. If there are children in the home, it is always better to put secure locking devices

on firearms and lock them in cabinets as a secondary safety measure. It is also a good idea to lock ammunition in a separate location, where children do not have access to it.

What You Can Do At Home Ask your child to share the illustration and sign he or she made at school with

your family. Ask your child to share the injury prevention behaviours learned is school with you. Review with your child what to do if he or she finds a firearm or toy firearm,

Danger! Don’t Touch! Tell an Adult! Disclaimer The Canadian version of these firearms safety materials was adapted for use in Canada by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council, and is based on the original version published in the United States by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The Canadian version of these materials was adapted to reflect Canadian law and customs current as of the date of publication, and is not intended for use outside of Canada. It is the position of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and the NFPA that adults must keep firearms locked up in a cabinet and if a child finds a firearm, he or she should leave the area and tell an adult. For additional information on the NFPA’s position on firearms, please contact them at 1 617 770-3000, or visit their website at www.riskwatch.org.


We are currently learning about Bike and Pedestrian Safety in the Risk Watch®

program. Students are participating in activities to learn and reinforce behaviours to prevent bike and pedestrian injuries. Please ask your child to share what we are learning at school and reinforce the messages. For parents and caregivers wishing additional information about bike and pedestrian safety, extra information is provided below. As well, some tips about what you can do with your child at home are included. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. Sincerely,

Extra Information for Parents and Caregivers A child under nine requires an adult to accompany him or her when crossing

the street or when riding a bike near traffic. This is because: Young children cannot see out of the corners of their eyes as well as adults can. The direction of sound (e.g. siren, motor vehicle horn) is difficult for young

children to determine. They may turn the wrong way searching for a sound. Children have trouble judging how fast a vehicle is coming towards them or

just how far away a vehicle is. Children’s sense of perception is different than that of adults. They may think

large motor vehicles move more quickly than small motor vehicles, or narrow streets are less dangerous than wider ones. Children lack a sense of vulnerability. They may not understand a motor

vehicle can seriously hurt or kill them if they collide. Although children may have been taught how to cross the street safely, they

can easily be distracted and may respond impulsively. Teach your child that wheeled vehicles for riding are not toys. They can cause

serious injuries if not used properly. Children under the age of nine often don't have the skills to cycle safely on the road. They need to be supervised by an adult when cycling, preferably on a sidewalk or path. A wise choice is for all family members to wear certified bicycle helmets when

cycling. Young children also need to wear a helmet when they are riding in a child carrier seat or bicycle trailer. Look inside the helmet for a certification sticker (CSA, ANSI, ASTM or SNELL).

Make sure helmets fit all family members correctly. Check the fit every time your child wears a helmet. The helmet should fit comfortably and snugly, but not too tightly. It needs to sit on top of the head in a level position (2 finger widths above the eyebrows). Be sure the chin strap is tight enough to keep the helmet from slipping forward or backward on the head. Side straps need to fit around the ears in a “V” shape. Only one finger should be able to fit between the side strap and the chin.

Continued



Baseball caps, toques, big hair clips and headphones must not be worn under a helmet as they can change the way it fits. It is the law in many provinces, territories and municipalities for individuals

under 18 to wear a helmet. In some provinces and territories it is the law for everyone to wear a helmet. Check with your local police department or with me for legislation in your area. If a crash or serious fall has occurred and the helmet has been hit, don’t use it

again. Small invisible cracks can weaken the shell or the foam can get crushed. Make sure your child is riding a bike that fits (both feet should touch the ground

while sitting on the seat) and that is in good working order.


What You Can Do At Home Have your child survey family members who ride bikes or participate in wheel-

related activities to find out who wears a certified helmet. Together, look for the certification labels inside the helmets. Your child can explain what he or she has learned in school about the importance of wearing a certified helmet to prevent head injuries.


We are currently learning about Water and Ice Safety in the Risk Watch® program. Students are participating in activities to learn and reinforce behaviours to prevent water and ice injuries. Please ask your child to share the information we are learning at school and reinforce the messages. For parents and caregivers wishing additional information about water and ice safety, extra information has been provided below. As well, some tips about what you can do with your child at home are included. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. Sincerely,

Extra Information for Parents and Caregivers Backyard swimming pools need to be surrounded on four sides with a fence that

is at least 1.3 metres (4 feet) tall. The fence should have a self-closing, self-latching gate. Children need to be supervised at all times when swimming in backyard pools. PFDs and lifejackets are devices to help people float and they can save lives if

people fall into the water by mistake. PFDs and lifejackets add buoyancy to the body, hold the head and body higher in the water to be seen more easily and help keep the body warm. PFDs are designed for constant wear. They are less buoyant than lifejackets and

are available in a variety of styles (vest, bomber, floater suit), sizes and colours. PFDs are designed for use on pleasure craft. Lifejackets are keyhole style and have self-righting capabilities. They must be orange, yellow or red and have a whistle attached. As long as the PFD or lifejacket is approved, it is a personal choice about which to wear. Check the labels of PFDs or lifejackets for Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Coast

Guard or Transport Canada approval. Contact the Canadian Red Cross (www.redcross.ca) or the Canadian Coast Guard (www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca) for more information. PFDs and lifejackets must fit to be effective. The PFD/lifejacket should be snug

but comfortable. All the zippers, buckles and snaps need to be fastened. The PFD/lifejacket should not come up over the nose when pulled up at the shoulders. PFDs or lifejackets that are too big are dangerous. Make sure they fit properly and do not have room to grow.

Mod. PreK and K

Air-filled swimming aids, such as inner tubes, water wings and inflatable rafts are not substitutes for approved PFDs or lifejackets, nor are Styrofoam noodles. These air-filled aids can easily lose air and are not secured to the person, making them ineffective life-saving devices. Supervise within arms reach if your children are using these air-filled aids to stay afloat in the water. Ice must be at least 15 cm (6 inches) of uniform thickness for skating, walking or

skiing in small groups. Snowmobiles or large skating parties require a uniform ice thickness of 25 cm (10 inches).

Continued


The colour of ice gives some indication of its thickness. Clear blue ice is generally the strongest; white opaque ice has a high air content, and its strength depends on the density – the lower the density, the weaker the ice. High-density white ice has strength close to that of clear blue ice. Grey ice generally indicates the presence of water as a result of thawing and is unsafe. To check ice thickness chop a hole in the ice and measure its thickness, or contact

local community groups such as the recreation department, which may do ice checks on a regular basis.

Please see attached information about hypothermia. What You Can Do At Home Help your child to find a photograph (or draw a picture if no photo is available)

of a water area he or she has visited with a member of your family. Have your child tell you a story about the picture, which includes a water safety behaviour that relates to the story. Your child can bring the picture to class and share the story and behaviour with the other children.

HYPOTHERMIA a) Cold Can Kill: Hypothermia is a dangerous lowering of the body’s internal

temperature below the normal 35ºC (95ºF). It can develop very quickly as a result of heat loss due to wind and being wet.

b) People most often develop hypothermia because they do not wear proper clothing. Hypothermia can happen in spring, summer or fall, as well as winter, especially in Canada. Canadians are very good at dressing warmly in winter, but may not dress appropriately in other seasons. Hypothermia can happen on land as well as in the water. Some of the more common ways to develop hypothermia are: falling into cold water (Immersion hypothermia can happen within minutes!) excessive use of energy without adequate replacement exposure to cold, wetness and wind without adequate protection becoming unconscious in a cold environment

Wind, snow and rain intensify the effects of the cold. Water is an excellent conductor of heat, so a human body will lose heat up to 20 times faster in water than on dry land.

c) Prevention of hypothermia is mainly a matter of being prepared and learning to recognize the symptoms. Dress warmly using several layers. Protect head and hands, as they are very vulnerable to cold. Over fifty percent

(50%) of body heat is lost from the head.


Keep as dry as possible. Avoid an ice breakthrough – skate or play only on thick ice. Rest at intervals to avoid becoming overtired during outdoor activities.

Source: The Canadian Red Cross Society, Think Twice – Thin Ice, Ice Safety Awareness: Guide for Teachers.


For many of us, this festive season is a time of food, fun and fellowship. The holiday season can also present some special hazards that put you and your family at risk for injuries. Take these few simple steps to make sure your family enjoys a safe and happy holiday season. Motor Vehicle Safety Make sure everyone buckles up every time when in a motor vehicle and that child

seats and booster seats are used properly. Use extra caution when driving in poor weather conditions or when under the

stress of the holiday rush. Remind all family members to wear proper protective equipment on

snowmobiles. It is also a good choice to take a snowmobile operator training course.

Fire and Burn Prevention Test your smoke alarms to make sure they’re working properly and explain your

home fire escape plan to all overnight guests. Pay close attention to food on the stove – never leave it unattended. Christmas trees and holiday plants need to be watered daily and placed away

from exits and heat sources. Blow out candles and unplug seasonal lights before leaving the house or going to

bed. Supervise children at all times while candles are burning. Keep matches and lighters out of the sight and reach of children, preferably in a

locked cabinet. Choking, Suffocation and Strangulation Enjoy holiday food and treats by eating them slowly and while sitting down. Select age-appropriate toys and games for young children.

Poisoning Prevention Be aware that some holiday plants have poisonous leaves and/or berries. Place

them up high, out of the reach of young children and pets. Install a carbon monoxide alarm.

Falls and Playground Injury Prevention


Be cautious when walking on wet or icy surfaces. Remind children to stay off playground equipment that is icy.

Firearms Injury Prevention If there is a firearm in your home, make sure it is unloaded and unable to be fired,

OR stored in a securely locked location AND in a place where ammunition is not easily accessible. It is a wise choice to lock ammunition in a separate location.

Continued

Bike and Pedestrian Safety Be cautious on wet or icy sidewalks and roads. Be extra cautious looking for cars when crossing streets or roads with snowdrifts. Remind family members that when participating in outdoor winter activities such

as skating, snowboarding or skiing, it is a good choice to wear a helmet and other protective equipment.

Water Safety Check ice thickness and dress warmly before going out onto ice. Watch for posted signs or warning flags around water or ice and follow the

instructions. Wear a helmet and appropriate gear (e.g. knee and elbow pads, face protection)

when playing ice hockey on outdoor rinks or bodies of water as well as in indoor arenas. Wearing a helmet when learning to skate is a wise choice.

Happy Holidays!



After being cooped up all winter, most of us can’t wait to get outside. Here are a few things to remember to help keep all family members safe from injury during the warmer months. Motor Vehicle Safety Check to make sure young children haven’t outgrown their child car seat or child

booster seat, and be sure everyone buckles up every time they are in a motor vehicle. A wise choice is for all family members to take a driver training course before

operating any motor vehicle (e.g. ATVs, farm vehicles, dirt bikes or motor boats). It is a good choice for all family members to wear helmets and other protective

gear, such as gloves and boots, on a dirt bike or ATV, or when passengers on a motorcycle.

Fire and Burn Prevention This is a good time to practise your home fire escape plan! Pretend your primary

exit route is blocked by heavy smoke and practise your second way out. Store gasoline and other flammable products outside your home in an approved

safety container, tightly sealed, and out of the sight and reach of children. Outdoor cooking fires and barbecues need to be kept a safe distance from the

house – at least 4.5 metres (15 feet). Barbecues need to be lit by an adult. Always leave the use, handling and discharge of fireworks, including sparklers,

to trained professionals. Choking, Suffocation and Strangulation Prevention At family barbecues, remember that hot dogs, steak and marshmallows can be

choking hazards. Cut food for young children into small bites. Remember, even in informal outdoor settings, eat only while seated.

Poisoning Prevention Certain plants, berries and mushrooms can be poisonous. Remind children to

check with a trusted adult before eating anything. Falls and Playground Injury Prevention Review safe playground behaviours with your children. Make sure playground equipment is in good working order and has a “soft”

surface underneath, such as sand, pea gravel, shredded bark mulch or wood chips. A depth of at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) of these materials will help absorb a child's fall.

Window guards are available to prevent children from falling. Place window guards only on windows not to be used as a fire exit, unless they are equipped with a quick release mechanism that can be opened easily from the inside. Screens will not prevent children from falling out.

Continued


Firearms Injury Prevention If there is a firearm in your home, make sure it is unloaded and unable to be fired,

OR stored in a securely locked location AND in a place where ammunition is not easily accessible. It is a wise choice to lock ammunition in a separate location.

Bike and Pedestrian Safety Check to make sure all family members’ bikes, helmets and other protective

equipment fit properly and are in good condition. Replace if necessary. Review safe bike and pedestrian behaviours with your children.

Water and Ice Safety Check to make sure personal flotation devices (PFDs) or lifejackets are in good

condition and fit family members properly. Review water safety behaviours with your children. Remind your child to stay away from rivers or flooding from spring run-off. Supervise children around water at all times.

Mod. PreK and K


Documents

Dear Parent(s) and Caregiver(s), - London, Ontario · Dear Parent(s) and Caregiver(s), We are currently learning about Fire and Burn Prevention in the Risk Watch® program. Students