|Home Safety Tips
In Canada, 66 per cent of all injuries occur in the home for children under 5 years of age. More than 20,000 children each year are seen in emergency departments across Canada due to injuries that occurred in the home. (Health Surveillance and Epidemiology Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, 2005)
Drowning is the second leading cause of death among Ontario children under five years old. (Canada Institute for Health Information, 2005)
Drowning can occur in less time than it takes to read this safety message. (Canadian Red Cross Society, 2006)
According to the Ontario Chief Medical Officer's Health Report (2002), "It is important to realize that injuries are not just accidents; they are largely predictable and preventable events."
"All parents want to keep their children safe. Make sure your living and playing spaces are safe so your children can explore, play and grow." (A Parents' Guide to the Early Years, 2nd edition, 2003)
This Home Safety Checklist will help make your home and backyard a safer place. Use it to find areas in and around your home that may be dangerous for a child.