24 - Sunday, March 13, 1994 - North Shore News don’t toy wi KIDS SAY the darndest things, Art Linkletter used to tell us. Spend time with children and you'll see they also put the darndest things in their mouth, get into the darndest spaces, and have the darndest curiosity. Ensuring your child’s safety isn’t a matter of fun and games. Yet fun and games — namely, toys and parties — are just what can get kids into trouble, When buying a toy for a child, make sure it's age-appropriate. Most toy-related mishaps aren’t due to a safety problem with the toy itself, but to the child's inabili- ty to use it in the manner intended. You know the games where you have to fit a peg into a hole? Kids play a variation, using their own orifices. Toys with parts that can be swallowed or can fit into eyes, ears, or moses pose the greatest danger. Read warning labels carefully; even large toys can have small, easily detachable parts. For younger children, also avoid toys with sharp points and edges, THE FOLLOWING is a selection of volunteer opportunities available through North Shore Community ’ Services (NSCS). IMMUNIZATION volunteers are needed ‘to assist community health nurses with school imnmu- nization clinics. Volunteers are needed to meet the nurses at various elementary. schools and escort the children to the clinics. FACE painters are needed on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, Did you ever get that $50 toy home and find that the child was more fascinated with the box? Remove or discard all packag- ing material, before a plastic bag becomes a source of fascination — and suffocation. Adults should supervise the first-time use of any toy to see that the child knows how to use it prop- erly and safely. The object of marbles, for instance, isn’t to see how many you can stuff in your mouth. And even if your little one is a budding Maria Andretti, pedal toys aren't meant for the open roud. Speaking of the ruad, never use “toy” headgear — like the thin plastic baseball helmets sold as souvenirs — in place of reguiation baseball, liockey. bicycle, and rollerskate helmets. And don’t “helmet-swap” — a hockey helmet doesn’t offer much protection for a kid tumbling off a two-wheeler. Children like to play with their toys all over the house, and that's where they leave them — all over March 27 at local mall displays to paint children’s faces. Creative val- unteers are needed for two to four hours at a time. A SPECIAL-NEEDS volunteer is needed to work with an eight- year-old boy who has disabilities. The duties include participation in therapeutic and recreational activi- ties during a gymnastics class. Some training and orientation will be provided. AN ELECTRICIAN and other laborers are needed at a non-profit the house. ft creates not only a trip- ping hazard, but a possible danger to other children who may gel a hold of toys unsuitable for their age. For safety’s sake, a toy box helps keep a child's collection off the floor and in one place. The box itself shouldn't become a safety hazard. Get one with a removable lid. so the child can’t get trapped inside or slam it on their fingers. Art Linkletter has his wisdom, and the boys from Wayne's World have theirs — “Party on!"— but do it safely. Children love parties, but with- out bursting your balloon, consider some common dingers. A burst or un-inflated balloon can be as dangerous as poison if a child swallows it and chokes or sulfocates. Inflate balloons for all- young- sters. If a child breaks one, don't give out another until you get the old remains. . . By taking party precautions, the worst outcome will be a mild tummy-ache after too many treats. society, which provides free food and goods to low-income families. The volunteers will be needed to wire a kitchen and to help with the construction of the bathroom floor boards. FITNESS volunteers are needed to assist the disabled participants of an exercise class. Volunteers are required to work on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. If you are interested in volun- teering, call 985-7138, NSCS is a member agency of the United Way. tag Te ‘A ay at era Vg Everything about . ‘The Gables was perfect -__ ; .80 we decided to do it again! The Gables sold out in record time, and for good reason: it offered the best in style, : ‘value and location on the North Shore. You can own a beautiful 2 Bedroom Condominium Apartment. Here’s how: _ Down Payment: Monthly Mortgage: _. (3 Year Mortgage Term) -_ 2 Bedroom Condominiui Apartments up to 1057 sq.ft. starting from $178,900. - _ Special Ameniiles: © * Fully equipped fitness centre * Billiard room ; * Social and meeting room * Secured underground parking $8,945 $1,139 “Now there's a second chance for those who missed out. Introducing Gables West. But hurry, after 2 weeks we are over 30% sold, so call now and take advantage of our pre-construction prices and record low mortgage rates. Features Inciude: * Many units with panoramic city and mountain views * Gas fireplace with marble hearth and surround + Ensuite bathroom with walk-in ceramic tiled shower * European-style kitchen cabinets * Superior soundproofing For more information cail: : James Askew Pager: 623-0718 Sales Office: 988-2434 855 West 16th Street North Vancouver Open Daily: noon -5p.m. Closed Fridays. MACLEAN MANAGEMENT ith NEW @ HOME Wisk RAN TY]