UNINTENTIONAL. INJURIES are the single lead- ing cause of death of youths ‘between one and 24 years old. veut tripping, . Consider using a cordless phone and taking the handset to areas where supervision is required. @ if the phone cings while you are bathing your child, changing their diapers, ete., fet it ring. Your child cun vet into trouble in the few sec- onds it takes to answer the phone, HOT TIPS By North Vancouver District Fire Services Plants: Some common houseplants ean be poisonous if young children chew on, or eal, their leaves. Philodendron is highly toxic if swallowed aad can also cause skin irritation. Ba Dieffenbachia, or dumb cane, and poinsettia can have similar effects. A leaf of either: plant cin produce severe mouth pain and swelling of the tongue, For a complete list of poisonous plants, contact your local health unit or department for a copy. of the fold- er What About Plants? or the Poison - Control Centre at 682-5050. ® Remove any hazardous or poiso- nous plants. On average, © B.C. child or youth is hospitalized every 40 min- utes due to an unintentional injury. Each year more than 260-children are killed and over 12,000 children are hospitalized as a result of unin- tentional injuries. We are all concerned about the * safety’of our children, Whether the -setting is.a family daycare home; a ’ preschool; ‘a group daycare; other | - community. settings,'or a parent’s | “home, the principles and practices ‘of injury prevention serve as a foun- dation for ensuring children’ $ safe- ty.. - - District.of North Vancouver Fire - Services would like’ to offer the fol- “lowing safety tips to help ensure a ‘safe environment for “your child. “of children’s reach. . "Hazardous Materials: A wide ' variety of materials can pose haz- ards to young children. BB ‘Check labels to avoid toxic ingredients when purchasing art materials, Supervise children close- ~ ly. to.ensure they do not put paint, brushes, crayons, pencils, pens or - fi Keep: furniture. i in good repair _ playdough in their mouths. and free of:sharp. edges, splinters :%- Be-sure that ceitings, and walls and pinch or-crush points. ©. :“.° ’: have no‘ cracked or broken plaster FR Use doublezsided tape-so that''- and that there is no peeling’ or * area rugs lay ‘flat‘and stay‘inplace. « chipped paint. . “., Bolt_cubbies and ‘cabinets over.4’ BY Repaint with non- -lead paint 2 (e 22 m) in height to the wall using those surfaces covered with high- L-shaped brackets, gloss enamel before 1970, ‘§B Store heavy objects.on: Jower #8 Ensure careful supervision when ‘shelves, Teach children to:sit at! children are using toys with small fables’ when using small or. pointed ~ parts or craft objects less than 14” objects such as pencils or scissors. (4 cm) in diameter which could * . lodge in their throats, noses or cars. Provide safe storage for purses, tote or diaper bags which may-con- tain hazardous materials such as medications,-skin preparations, . nail “polish, cigarettes, matches, lighters; pen caps or jewelry. ~ Childproofing indoor settings Furnishings: Young children love “to hop and jump and therefore, are 1) Vilnerable to falls, bumps, and - bruises...) ¢-.< . Winidows: ae * Use stickers on sliding plasé ‘doors so that -the child can see the.” door rather. than walking into it. , -44 Keep drapery and blind cords out “of children’ s reach. Phones: Phones are a necessaty dis. boards or cabinets which contain “traction from the care‘6f childrén. ® Install phone connections in . and cleaning products. : ‘strategic locations. - . ; Tape long extension cots ‘along walls or under furnishings to pre-™ i] Secure doors with latches placed i. Store plant bulbs and seeds out ° | @ Install child-proof locks on.cup- - - hazardous.materials such as bleach : ‘Gates anddvors;. we atadult height. BA Install safety gates at the top and bottom of all open stairways, Avoid safely gates with a V-shape at die top so that children do not get their necks caught and choke, Wiring, electric plugs and appli- ances: Prevention and planning rekifted to anything electrical is erili- cal, fa Make certain that children do not have access 10 pieces of metal such as Iweezers, hair pins or wire that they could push into contacts of electric plug outlets, f@ Check periodically that safety covers for electric plug outlets are securely in place. Be very careful when electric plug outlets are lacat- ed close to grounding surfaces such as hot air or hot water registers. In these sittations, childproof electric plug outlets are recommended. & Protect children from coming in contact with space heaters and radi- ators hotter than 1 10°F (43°C). fA Place any space heaters at least three feet (90 cm) from curtains, . paper or furniture. Use ground fault: GARDENING TIPS BY GEORGE interrupters when electric plug out- lets are located in a bathroom, Locate any small electric appliances such as hair dryers, radios, kettles or toasters Well away from sinks, tubs or water, @ Keep electric fans aut of chil- drea’s reach, Place or tape exten- sion cords behind equipment or fur- niture ta prevent tripping. Alternately, loop the cord around the back teg of a piece of furniture or cabinet, Never nail extension cords to the wall. RM ‘Test smoke detectors monthly and change balteries twice yearly when you change your clocks. your hanging baskets. Use varlety of plants and keep in a sheitered location. Try our time released fertilizer (one feeding lasts a whole season. Park Royal South (behind Zellers) 922- ‘5990, The preceding safety tips are the first af two articles an the preven. tion of child-related injuries in the home. Information courtesy of the Office for Injury Prevention, the Ministry of Health and District of North Vancouver Fire Services. For more information, cat! the District of North Vancouver Fire Services non-emergency phone number, 980-7573, or call your. . ‘local fire department. CELEBRATE OUR 10th ANNUAL INTERIORS “73th Anniversary STOREWS E SALE EVERYTHING IN THE STORE Is. 13% OFF OR’ Featuring: | Patio / Outdoor Furniture Wrought Iron Furniture : Rattan Prints Lamps Fabrics And much more! 1420 Fell Averiue 988-7328 reese discard & 1 * DRAPERY & UPHOLSTERY FABRICS” “FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES sp w - BLINDS . 280% 0% 5 “Off . “ne : 9% i Call for an in home consultation or visit our newly renovated showroom.” ee ee ee ee 2uL ie sa6uin- S40123: we me wee tems ee ye ee is me me ce ewe ee ee en [uO Swal}! 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