With the return of warmer weather The City of Calgary Emergency Medical Services would like to remind parents of an often overlooked hazard in the home. To bring fresh air into your house, or to cool off in hot weather, we naturally think of opening a window. However, open windows can present a serious safety hazard for young children. Every year, Calgary paramedics respond to emergencies in the home where a child has fallen from an open window– often from the second floor.
This is the question asked to Child Safe Canada by thousands of parents every year. The age at which children in Canada can be left at home alone for reasonable and short periods of time varies from province to province, ranging anywhere from approx. 10 to 12 years. There is no legislation in Alberta that determines an age at which a child may safely be left home alone. Alberta has placed that decision into the parent’s or guardian’s hands (assuming they are not placing a child in harm’s way).
Every year Calgary paramedics respond to traumatic emergencies where helmets have prevented a serious injury or saved a life.
Bicycle crashes are the leading cause of brain injury in school aged children. The majority of bicycle injuries do not involve motor vehicles. Most often injuries occur when a cyclist suffers a fall, strikes a stationary object like a pole, or collides with a pedestrian or another cyclist. Unfortunately there are still a significant number of people that do not wear helmets, however it is Alberta law that anyone under 18 years of age must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. It is also highly advisable to wear a CSA approved helmet when using a skateboard, in-line skates, or a scooter.
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