Parents must he Kids fo p WHAT do parents say is their biggest concern when their kids go to the playground? . Sate Kids Canada found that nearly wwo-thirds of parents named “stranger danger” or harm from other children. Yet more 8,500 children require medical attention ar for playground injuries. Of these, 2,000 are hospitalized -- the same number as are hospitalized for cycling injuries. Most injuries are caused by falls trom climbers, slides, and swing: “These injuries are not scrapes and bruise: said Sonya Corkum, esvcutive director of Sa Kids Canada. “Children suffer from broken bones, head injuries, and internal injuries, People don’t tend te think of injuries when they think of playgrounds. Our job is to raise awareness of why injunes happen, and how to prevent them.” - Other key survey findings: & The majority of parents (65%) recognized that falls from equipment were the most common cause of injury at the playground, but they did- n't know how to protect their children. The sur- vey showed that 86% of parents mistakenly believe that a grass surface in a playground pro- vides protection if children fall. Sixty per cent believe dirt is safe. Safery experts warn that grass and dirt don’t provide any cushioning. The best surfacing materials are a deep, soft layer of sand, pea gravel and wood chips or rubber mats. @ While proper surfacing can reduce the risk of injury if a child falls, proper supervision helps te prevent them. The survey showed that more than one quarter (28%) of parents of children under five don’t provide close supervision in the . playground. Children under five need an adult standing close enough to catch them when they’re. climbing on equipment. They also need ‘adult. supervision to keep them off equipmenc that is meant for older children. .. @ Parents reported their children spend an aver- age of 14 hours a week in playgrounds at home or in public parks during the warm ‘weather. Children spend an average of nine hours a week in backyard..playgrounds. These. play- grounds account for 20'S of plavground injuries. Parents reported that most backvard plav- grounds { 1 deep soft su y cquipment would significantiy reduce the risk of injury. Kids urges parents and. caregivers to check the of a playground each rime they go — before kids start plaving. Here’s the check- lis Cheek the children before they play. Make sure nothing can sirangle your child at the play ground or cause hind to become tangled in the equipment. off draw strings on clothin M@ fn winter, use mitten clips instead of mitten cords, and neck warmers ir Bi Don’t let children take bike helme' ping ropes onto playground equipment. @ Cheek the playground. The ground should have soft, rubber mats or lots of sand, pea gravel or wood chips. Check the depth of the surface with vour heel to make sure it ts at least six inch- es deep (15 cm). If you have a backyard pla ground, put down a deep soft surface uni neath equipment. & If your local playgrounds only have dirt or grass surfaces, keep vour children on equipment that’s low to the ground and call the playground operator to find out if there are plans to put down a new surface. Proper surfacing makes a big difference. B@ Watch cut for spaces that can trap a child's head. Safe spaces are smaller than 3% inches (9 cm) or larger than nine inches (22.5 cm). @ Make sure equipment above the ground has hand rails and guard zzils to prevent falls. Check for sharp edges and exposed nuts or bolts that could cause pinches or cuts. § Many playground injuries happen when chil- dren are not watched closely enough. @ Make sure your kids are playing on equipment that is age appropriate. If they can’t reach it on their own, they are too small to be on it. §% Keep children under age five on equipment that is tower than five feet (1.5 m). Be close enough to catch them when they’re climbing, or skip- riding in a swing, or playing on equipment above . the ground. Living Naturally—a unique farmer's market and country fair. Come meet BC organic farmers, taste what's cooking, enjoy the musicians, chat with vitamin and nutritional experts. Capers will donate the proceeds from this event to A Loving Spoonful, an organization that provides free, wholesome meals seven days a week to men, women and children living with HIV and "AIDS, SEPT. 16 & 17 10am to Spm CAPERS COMMUNITY MARKET 1575 Robson Street Sunday, September 10, 2060 — North Shore Nows - 29 => eee te —F a: ~ Gross dedication owl Gags TOM Bars, left, and Denny McBride kneel In front of a stee! veteran's cross that replaces an oid wooden one at the Nerth Vancouver cemetery. in the background, |: represeriting three North Van legions are, left to. right, Jim Thompson, Bobbi ot Hameata and Kris Kristjanson.” “BREAD BASKET GRAND OPENING « SEPTEMBER 11, 2¢ MCGavin’s Bread Basket is moving to a-fresh new store from ‘it’s current location’ next to. Red Robin, to Norgate Plaza, the home of Burger King and Tim Hortons... | MGavin’s Bread Basket store has been. serving the North Shore, for over. ten _ years. This new location will continue to offer a wide variety of breads, rolls, : bagels, buns and sweet goods at conside able savings. Volume discounts apply when you purchase 10 loaves or more. Relocating to serve you better, the store is open 7 days a week. : M‘Gavin’s Bread Basket also carrics ~ Venice Bakery products. . These items. include hearth ryes, sour dough: breads and other European breads. ; Stretch your food budget and purchase your fresh baked goods at discount prices: The new location next to.M & M Meat Shops in Norgate Plaza is. weil: stoc! iT l. and ready to serve you and your family. - ~ Super saving & BREAD BASKET ~. - Mon-Sat: 9:30-5:36, Sun: 11:00-5:00 Phone: 984-6354 "| 1447 Marine Drive North Vancouver * In Norgat te Centre hol, Near Burger King and Tim. Hortons «hk :