Viva Vitality: Safe for your kids – all year round!
By Chloe Trautman
‘Safe For Your Kids’ was the theme for this year’s Safe Kids Week at the beginning of June. Although this date has passed, the theme is relevant year-round. Children live in a world that is built for adults and they can be exposed to hazards that can cause serious injury and even death, all of which are predictable and preventable.
A focus on consumer products was part of the ‘Safe For Your Kids’ theme, as not all products available for purchase in Canada have been safety tested. The Public Health Agency of Canada’s data on Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program estimates that almost half of injuries to children and youth up to age 19 are related to consumer products.
Here are some things to remember to keep our kids safe:
Not all products sold in Canada have a standard or regulations they must meet. Check to see if a product has a standard, and if the one being purchased meets that standard.
Concern(s) with a product and/or an injury from a product can and should be reported to Health Canada. Anyone can report an incident. The more people who report with complete information, the more that informs actions that can be taken.
Check to see if a product has been recalled. Through product manufacturer notification, product distributor notification, or Health Canada’s website.
Be cautious when buying, accepting, sharing, or disposing of second-hand products. Check if the product:
Is in good condition.
Has labels that will tell you what standard the product meets (if applicable).
Has an expiry date or manufacture date.
Has not been recalled.
Be careful using after-market add-ons. Products that have a standard or regulation are tested in original condition. An after-market product can affect the way the product functions (for example: car seat after-market products).
Be aware when making online and cross-border purchases.
To avoid safety issues before buying:Check the product hasn’t been recalled or is banned for sale in Canada.
Check for product warnings and age recommendations.
Know who you are buying from.
Choose reputable sellers that you’ll be able to reach out to if there is concern with the product.
Always follow manufacturer age recommendations or height-and-weight recommendations. For example, toys may be labelled unsafe for children under three-years-old because they contain small parts that can be a choking hazard for babies and toddlers. Safety products like car seats have size recommendations to best protect your child.
It is important that we all do our part and pay attention to safety recommendations when purchasing products related to children, from toys to safety gear, ensuring ‘Safe For Your Kids’ is a theme all year round.
Chloe Trautman is a Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services. For more information about product safety and recommendations for kids, visit Parachute Canada: parachute.ca/en/program/safe-kids-week/