Back in the Groove
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The Labour Day weekend has signaled that school is full swing but not only school but numerous after school sports and other activities. While busy parents hustle their children from one event to another remember that little things such as riding safely and limiting distractions are essential. This summer Parkland Ambulance along with our partners SGI and the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region hosted monthly free car seat clinics. One common question was when can my child get out of their booster seat?
Just because your child is grade 1 and their little friends might not ride in a booster seat, doesn’t mean your child shouldn’t be in one. Most children will need to ride in a booster seat till age 9 or 10, maybe up to 100lbs but it depends on your booster seat. Please read the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If shopping for a seat, take the time to visit local stores and read various product labels to get the right fit. Moving your child to vehicle seat is about proper position – child sitting flat against the seat back and knees dropping over the bottom seat cushion. Seat belts work only when done up tight and fitting right.
Many children will head home after school to care for younger siblings or simply waiting for mom or dad to get home from work. If your child is alone at home, set some simple rules that protect them. Have them check in with mom or dad as soon as they get home. Teach them proper phone etiquette that includes not alluding to a stranger that they are home alone. Ensure that simple chores or tasks keep young children active vs. employing their imagination which might lead to an unfortunate incident. Babysitters have important responsibilities and having them take a babysitter class is a good first step. Teach your children some basic injury prevention tips. Putting away toys, not playing with or testing out household appliances or chemicals, safety around pets and more. There a whole host of safety resources available.
Does your child have an allergy? Some can be simple things that might cause itching but they can also be quite severe to things like nuts. If your child does have you made the school aware of the steps they need to initiate should an allergic reaction occur. www.epipen.ca has a lot of great resources for parents and teachers alike. Being informed is just that easy. How do I spot an allergic reaction? Symptoms might be hives, flushed appearance to the face, trouble breathing, and swelling to the lips or tongue. Using an item like an epi pen is a temporary solution to what might be a severe situation. Activating the emergency response system and calling for paramedics is essential.
