Enjoy the Fall Safely

Preparing for Flu Season

Gone are the days of the hot summer sun. As we approach the fall and winter months we enter the dreaded cold and flu season.  Nova Scotians are encouraged to get the seasonal flu vaccine to prevent catching flu. 

There are some people who are more vulnerable to catching the virus and others who are unable to receive the vaccine so keep in mind; you can help prevent spreading the flu this year by getting immunized.  Your family, friends and peers will appreciate it!

Follow these tips to prevent the spread of germs:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use 70-90% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cough and sneeze in your arm or sleeve.  Tissues can be used to cover coughs and sneezes but remember to throw away the tissue and wash your hands.  
• Don’t share drinking glasses, water bottles, mouth guards, cosmetics or eating utensils.
• If you are sick stay home!

More Resources...

• For more information on seasonal influenza and immunization visit: www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/flu/

Trick-or-Treat

The streets will soon be filled with little ghosts and goblins.  As Halloween quickly approaches, trick-or-treaters and their guardians should keep in mind the following tips to make sure this Halloween is fun and safe.

• Choose costumes that are flame-resistant and avoid costumes for young children that require a plastic mask
• Never let your child trick-or-treat alone and remind them not to talk to strangers
• Don’t allow them to enter a house unless a guardian is by their side
• If they are not wearing bright colours be sure to have reflective tape taped on thier costums so drivers can see them.
• It’s important to remind your trick-or-treaters the rules of the road:
  • Only walk on sidewalks.
  • Look both ways before crossing the street.
  • Always cross at a crosswalk.
  • Obey pedestrian signals.
• Do not let your children indulge in the sugary treats until you've inspected them.
• And don't forget your flashlight!

More Resources…
For more tips on how to stay safe this Halloween visit http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/index.htm

School Safe Travel

As students return for another school year, pedestrian and road traffic is on the rise.  Nova Scotians are encouraged to take safety precautions to keep our roads and sidewalks safe for both pedestrians and motorists.  If everyone is diligent in following the rules of the road, it will make for a safer, enjoyable fall season for everyone!

• Motorists should pay particular caution in school zones and in cross walks.  Remember, speeding fines are double in school zones.
• Students and drivers are reminded to be especially careful within construction zones.
• Motorists are reminded of laws requiring drivers to stop in both directions if they come upon a school bus with flashing red lights.
• Drivers should come to a full stop and allow adequate room for a child to cross.
• Parents are encouraged to remind their children about the rules of safety.
• Children must look both ways before crossing the street, always cross at a crosswalk, and obey crossing guards or pedestrian signals at traffic lights.

For more information:

• For more information about safe travel visit: http://back2school.ednet.ns.ca/school-safety
• For more information on walking safely to school visit: http://www.childsafetylink.ca/child-safety-5-plus/pedestrians

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

When spending time outside, certain precautions should be taken to make sure that you and your family are protected. Certain insects and animals can pass illness to humans. These harmful illnesses include Lyme disease (deer ticks), West Nile (mosquitoes) and Rabies (various animals).

• Protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes by using insect repellent which contains DEET.
• When outdoors, cover your skin as much as possible to prevent ticks from getting on your skin.
• Stagnant pools of water are breeding grounds for mosquitoes so check empty flower pots for any still water and use pool covers.
• Be cautious of wild animals – they may be cute and cuddly but they are not pets. Never feed wild animals or welcome them into your home.
• Vaccinate your pets to keep them, and your family, safe.

More Resources...

• Looking for more information on how to protect yourself from lyme and other Insect and Animal-Related Diseases? Check out Communicable Disease Prevention and Control page.
• For information on Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) check the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site at www.cdc.gov/EasternEquineEncephalitis/gen/qa.html

Protect Your Head

One of the most popular autumn activities for young and old is biking. The human skull is just one centimeter thick, so it is very easily fractured. A properly fitted helmet helps protect your brain from absorbing the force from a crash or a fall. It pays to be safe while having fun!

• Buy a bicycle helmet that fits properly, not one that you will grow into.
• Bicycle helmets should be comfortably snug.
• Remember the 2V1 Helmet Rule: The helmet should sit level, 2 finger widths above the eyebrows; the straps should form a V-shape under the ears; and 1 finger should fit between the chin and the fastened strap.
• Replace a bicycle helmet after it is damaged, or every 5 years.  Many helmets can only take one impact before they must be replaced.
• Multi-sport helmets are available if you’re interested in more than just bicycling.  Be sure that the helmet meets safety standards for more than one activity, and only use with the activities that the helmet is rated for.
• Hats, hairclips, and headphones should not be worn under the helmet.  This can affect the proper fitting that helps keep you safe.

More Resources...

• For more information on helmet safety visit www.safekidscanada.ca

Playground Safety

Taking your child to the playground is one way to promote physical activity but there are certain things to be cautious of.  According to Child Safety Link, the majority of children are admitted to the hospital because of falls.  For children between the ages of 5 and 9, most of the falls occur on the playground.  So while it’s important to have fun, it’s critical to remember to play safe!  Keep in mind the following tips while visiting the playground:

• First, check your children’s clothing before heading to the playground.
• Try to choose a playground that has a deep, soft surface, like pea gravel, sand, wood chips or rubber tiles.
• Pay attention to important labels that say how old a child should be to use the play structure.
• Always be on the lookout for dangers like broken glass, sharp garbage, or broken equipment.
• Supervise your child closely and ensure they know how to use the equipment. Remove any draw strings that may get caught in the equipment.
• Teach your child the rules of playground safety:

• For more information visit: www.childsafetylink.ca/about
• For more on playground safety visit www.safekidscanada.ca

Testing your Home for Radon

If you're a home or property owner be sure to keep your family healthy and safe this year by testing for radon.  Radon is a colourless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas formed when uranium breaks down naturally. 

Once released into the outdoor air radon is not a health concern.  However, in closed spaces radon can accumulate to higher levels thus posing a potential health threat.  Long term exposure to indoor radon has been associated with an increased lifetime risk of developing lung cancer so it’s important to know the facts.

Radon enters the home through small openings such as cracks or holes that contacts the soil around or underneath the building, and can even enter through tap water.  The highest level of radon usually occurs in the lower levels of floors and basements and often times in areas with poor ventilation.   While some provinces may have higher levels than others, the only sure way to know if you’re in contact with high levels of radon is to test your individual home or building.

Testing for radon is a safe and effective way to keep those around you healthy!

More resources…

• To find out the easiest and most effective ways to test for radon visit http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/radon/faq.asp
• For more information on radon visit the Health Canada website.

Fire Safety

As the cool air sets in it’s time to bring out the firewood and heaters to avoid the fall and winter chills.  Following a few safety precautions will keep you and your family warm and safe this season.  

• Make sure you test your smoke detector on a regular basis. 
• Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher.
• Check the cord before using a space heater; if it’s faulty, replace it.
• Make sure there is at least three feet between the space heater, the wall and anything else that could catch on fire.  And when you’re finished with it, unplug it!
• Don’t use an extension cord with portable space heaters.
• Avoid putting space heaters in high traffic areas.
• When having a bonfire make sure the area surrounding the fire is clear.
• Have one person in charge of bonfire maintenance.
• Have your chimney and woodstove cleaned and professionally inspected annually.
• Don’t use flammable substances to light your fire.
• Don’t overload your fireplace.
• Use a screen in front of the fire opening to protect children and embers from escaping.
• Ensure the fire is completely out before going to bed.
• Always keep ashes in a metal container outside of your home.
• When having a bonfire make sure the area surrounding the fire is clear.
• Have one person in charge of bonfire maintenance.
• Only use dry firewood.  Plastic and other household items that are not meant for bonfires or fireplaces must be avoided.
• And lastly, don’t get too close!

More Resources…

• For more fire safety tips visit http://www.tiu.edu/tiu/security/autumnsafety or the Fire Prevention Canada website.