Injury prevention

Stop injuries before they happen

Every day, two Canadian children die from unintentional injuries and another 80 require hospitalization. These are staggering statistics as many could have been avoided had better preventative steps been taken.

It’s the little things that matter when it comes to protecting children from getting hurt. By providing a safe sleep environment for your children, ensuring they wear a helmet when skating, riding a bike or scooter, or using car seats, booster seats and seatbelts properly for every car ride — you can make a difference to your child’s safety.

In this topic

Trampolines and bouncy castles (inflatable play structures)

Injuries from trampolines and bouncy castles range from bruises, sprains, and broken bones, to more serious injuries such as skull fractures.

Magnets

Small, powerful magnets can be dangerous to children of all ages. Children can swallow these magnets and be seriously injured.

Sports

What can you do to make sure children are safe at play? You can't prevent every bruise and scrape, especially in sports, but you can help ensure injuries happen less often and that they are less serious.

Swim safe

Did you know that the second leading cause of death in children ages one to four is drowning? Securing your backyard pool and teaching children about water safety can help protect them from serious injury, and even death.

Sports gear safety tips

When your children are out playing -- whether in a team sport like hockey or for unstructured fun like tobogganing -- keep them safe by taking the right precautions.

Safety around the house

Sadly, injuries are the main cause of death for young children. What's dangerous depends on a child's age and abilities. Know your child and look at your home from his or her point of view to identify hazards.

Water temperature and burns/scalds

It only takes seconds to burn. Children's skin is sensitive and burns easily. Share bath time fun with your child and follow these tips for safety.

Poison prevention

Chances are you have a variety of household chemical products at home, like cleaning liquids and powders, drain cleaners and paint. These can pose serious health risks to children if they are not used and stored properly.

Lead-based paint

Some older homes in Canada may have lead-based paint on the walls. Removing, repairing or disturbing this paint through normal wear-and-tear (such as paint on doors, windows, stairs and railings) can expose you and your children to serious health risks.

Lead and cadmium in children's jewellery

Lead is often used in making costume jewellery. Wearing jewellery containing lead does not cause harm -- but sucking, chewing on or swallowing it can cause damage to children's bodies, especially the nervous system.

Outdoor torches

Decorative, refillable outdoor torches are great to sit by on a warm summer night, but can pose flammability and toxicity hazards to you and your children.

Furniture and televisions

Young children may climb furniture to reach items on high shelves or in drawers. Climbing can cause furniture or televisions to tip over onto a child, causing serious injuries -- including head or internal injuries -- that could lead to death.

Holiday safety

Holidays are busy and joyous times, but holiday routines give rise to greater safety hazards than usual. Blazing fireplaces, a dry evergreen tree, faulty ornamental lights, unsafe sleepwear and candles left unattended can all pose fire hazards.

Playpens

It is very important to make sure a playpen is assembled correctly before using it. Follow the manufacturer's instructions completely, as well as guidelines regarding the weight and age of child the playpen is made for.

Blind & curtain cord strangulation risk

Keep cords out of reach. Looped, long or inner blind and curtain cords can strangle or entangle your child.

Ice safety

Keep children safe when ice skating. Make sure they always wear a helmet, as the slick ice makes it easy to slip and fall.