Stay Safe - A Safety Education Guide to Household Chemical Products for Children 5 to 9 years of age

D. Final Words

What have we learned?

The question always asked at the end of a program such as STAY SAFE is - what did each child learn? Do the children recognize the four hazard symbols and know what they mean? Do they know to STOP and LOOK for the hazard symbol on household chemical products left within reach? Does each child know to STAY SAFE and get a grown-up? Can they describe how to access the emergency services number in your area?

Here are some suggestions for activities that may help you determine if the instruction/lessons and activities have made a difference.

• Show the pictures of products displaying hazard symbols. Ask each child to name the symbol and its meaning (i.e. type of danger).
• As a group, make up a list of home safety rules for hazardous chemical products.
• Ask children to volunteer their experiences when they share their information about hazardous chemical products at home.
• Use the following story starters for the children to complete.This can be done verbally or in written format.
  • One Saturday, [name] decided to help clean up the house so the family could go to the park. [Name] reached into the cupboard and picked up a plastic bottle. The bottle had a picture with fire on it. [Name] knew that this meant…
  • Radar was walking home when he saw [name] going into the garage. "Hey Radar! Do you want to help me clean up? Then we can go play. I have to pick up all these bottles with the funny pictures" said [name]. Radar said "STOP!…"

Children need all the information they can get to understand the hazards around them and to safely navigate them. With a little knowledge and preparation, injuries can be prevented. We must do all we can to make sure that children and their families are aware of the potential hazards of household chemical products.We want everyone to STAY SAFE!

Teacher's Checklist

Did you:

• show your children each hazard symbol and explain the type of danger?
• show your children examples of each symbol on a picture of a household product?
• explain and give examples of where hazardous chemical products may be found?
• demonstrate STOP, LOOK, STAY SAFE - go get a grown-up?
• show how to store a product safely?
• remind children to check with a grown-up before using glue?
• practise the steps to contact EMS (if grade appropriate)?

Can the children:

• recognize and relate the type of danger associated with each hazard symbol?
• find and identify the hazard symbol on a household container?
• tell you the three safety steps to follow: STOP, LOOK, STAY SAFE (go get a grown-up) when they find a household chemical product?
• tell you how to safely store hazardous household chemical products - out of reach, out of sight?
• explain STOP, LOOK, STAY SAFE to others?
• recite the EMS number for their community (if grade appropriate)?

From YOU… about the STAY SAFE program

Please take a moment and tell us what you think about the program. Your comments will help us to continue to improve this program.

Check all the answers that apply:

1. This guide was:

• easy to use
• somewhat easy to use
• difficult to use

2. The guide provided:

• too much information about the subject
• just enough information about the subject
• too little information about the subject

3. The guide provided:

• a large selection of activities to teach the subject
• just enough activities to teach the subject
• not enough activities to teach the subject

5. Were the materials for the various grades age appropriate?

• yes
• no…if no, what age

6. How did you use the take-home materials?

• sent home
• put information in newsletter
• other:
• did not use

7. What time of year did you teach this information?

• spring
• summer
• fall
• winter

8. How many days did you use this program?

• one day
• one week
• more than one week
• other:

9. Are there any additions or changes you would suggest to the program?

Please tell us about your program:

1. Type of Facility/Program

• elementary school
• day care
• after school program
• day camp
• arts and crafts program
• Scouts, Guides or other organized group
• other:

2. How many children are in your program or group?

• less than 5
• between 5-9
• between 10-15
• more than 15

3. What are the ages of the children in your program/group? Check all that apply.

• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 years
• 8 years
• 9+ years

Optional Information:

• Name:
• Name of Facility:
• Address:
• Phone/E-mail:

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the Stay Safe program. Please forward your comments to the Consumer Product Safety Bureau's Information and Education Unit by mail or fax.

Mailing address:

• Information and Education Unit, Consumer Product Safety Bureau
  Product Safety Program, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
  Health Canada
  MacDonald Building - Room A423
  Postal Locator: 3504D
  Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
  Fax: (613) 941-4376
  E-mail: CPS-SPC@hc-sc.gc.ca