By Lyle Karasiuk - Parkland Ambulance

Safety First

Summer Sun Fun!

Jul 23, 2019 | 2:52 PM

As the calendar rounds the middle of July many of us have had some holidays while others are just starting theirs. Enjoy some sun, some travels or a staycation to catch up on projects around the house. Whatever you plan to do or where ever you plan to travel take a few second with any activity and ask yourself “self is this smart.”

Recently I had one of those conversations cleaning the eaves troughs on the garage. It was quicker to hop up on the fence and hang onto the garage to reach up and clean the eaves vs. getting a ladder. Oh by the way I neglected to say I was wearing sandals and it was raining. Now isn’t that a recipe for a slip and fall. But it is just that easy. We take for granted it will only take a few minutes. It won’t happen to me and I’ll get this done as quickly as possible. Nothing happened but as I stepped onto the rail it clicked what a stupid thing this was and logic prevailed I got out the trusty step ladder. As a paramedic, far too often smarter heads don’t prevail because we are men, afraid to wait for someone to help, or who needs those directions any way. Have a word with yourself before you take on any summer project. Before you light the bon fire with lighter fluid when the coals are still red hot, it might be a good time to have that conversation. You know if you don’t and something does happen look at it this way you can always tell your story to the paramedics or the doctor in the hospital emergency room.

Summer often involves travel and travel usually includes the children, lots of clothes, maybe the pets and a road trip somewhere. Planning your holiday can be a little less stressful with a quick stop to Parkland Ambulance for a free car seat check. We have free summer car seat clinics with our community partners at Lakeland Ford. August 8 or September 12 are the next dates. If you cannot make the free public clinic call us at 306-953-8358 and make a free appointment. Simple things like ensure the straps are flat and not twisted or the seat is tight are easy things you can do at home. Before booking a free appointment, please take the time to read your instruction booklet then call. Many people who visit us to check their seats have similar concerns. How do I get it tighter? Where is the best place to position the seat? Is my child in the seat the correct way? All very easy to answer but we’d be happy to show you by calling our office for your free appointment. One mom recently asked when her child could get out the booster seat.

Often many parents are a bit too quick to remove a child from the booster seat to the regular vehicle seat. The booster seat, depending on the safety ratings by the manufacturer, is designed to do what its name suggests, boost your child so that the vehicle seat belt fits them safe and secure. Without this “booster seat” children tend to slouch to get comfortable and potentially can be seriously injured because of an improper seat belt. Remember that in Saskatchewan there is mandatory booster seat legislation.

In Saskatchewan, booster seats are mandatory for children:

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• under 7 years of age,
• less than 145 cm (4’9″) in height, and
• under 36 kg (80 lb.) in weight.

The law applies to all children in Saskatchewan and any children travelling through Saskatchewan too. If your child is older than 7 but less than the height and weight requirements, they’re not required by law to be in a booster seat. However, for optimum safety we recommend they still use one until they reach the height and weight requirement. (source SGI)