Quiz: summer safety

1. Keen to get your kids on the water? According to Transport Canada your child is safe to go boating once they are:
10 pounds
15 pounds
20 pounds
Able to sing "Row, Row, Row, Your Boat" independently



Answer: 20 pounds Since there are no personal flotation devices for children who weigh less than 20 pounds, they cannot safely ride in a boat.


2. Craving family time in a canoe, rowboat, sailboat or motorboat? Passengers should wear life jackets if:
they don’t know how to swim
they are riding in a boat
they ate a meal less than an hour ago
they are frightened of the water



Answer: They are riding in a boat All passengers (including adults who know how to swim) should wear a lifejacket while in a boat. According to Safe Kids Canada, nine out of 10 Canadian boaters who drown do not wear lifejackets.

3. It’s amazing--on picnics your kids will blissfully chow down on broccoli spears! Now for the main course. When packing raw meat in a cooler for a BBQ outing, you should wrap it securely and place it:
tucked in the side of the cooler
at the top of the cooler
on the bottom of the cooler
tucked into your favourite BBQ cookbook



Answer: On the bottom of the cooler Placing raw foods on the bottom of the cooler prevents their juices from dripping onto other foods.

4. Who can resist burgers on the barbie? Hamburgers are fully cooked when a digital thermometer reads:
71° C
78° C
89° C
Ketchup and mustard, please!



Answer: 71° C Ground beef is safe to eat at 71° C. Also remember to clean your digital thermometer in warm, soapy water if you have to check the meat more than once.

5. Enjoy a good dip in the pool to beat the heat? To keep kids safe from drowning, you should:
ensure there is always an adult around to supervise kids
train adult supervisors in first aid, CPR, water rescue and swimming skills
make sure pools have fences on all four surrounding sides
be sure kids under five and weak swimmers wear life jackets when they are in or near the water
enroll children in swimming lessons
do all of the above



Answer: Do all of the above According to Safe Kids Canada, kids stay safe in the water when adults use the “5 Layers of Protection” method, which includes all five points.

6. There are so many parks and playgrounds to visit in the warm, sunny months, and so little time. To keep your preschooler safe you should:
make sure playground equipment is no higher than five feet tall
stand close enough to catch her when she is climbing
drink iced coffee to ensure you’re awake to supervise
teach him safety rules such as “one at a time” and “feet first down the slide”
all of the above
options 1, 2 and 4



Answer: Options 1, 2 and 4 The Canadian Standards Association recommends that playgrounds for children under five years old be marked and separated from equipment for older kids. Unsure if a playground is safe for your child? If they can’t reach the playground equipment by themselves, it’s too advanced for them.

7. A big part of a school-agers social life happens at the park. Before your child plays on the equipment remind her it’s safer to:
always take off her bike helmet before playing
never tie a skipping rope to the equipment
never wear a hoodie, jacket or shirt with ties when playing on equipment
do all of the above



Answer: Do all of the above As well as teaching your child safety tips, check out the park. Under the equipment there should be a soft surface made of pea gravel, rubber, sand or wood chip. If you have concerns, contact the city, town or organization in charge of the park.

8. A bicycle helmet can be worn for:
bike riding, in-line skating and skateboarding
covering up bad hair days for moms
bike riding only
bike riding, inline skating and scooter riding



Answer: Bike riding, inline skating and scooter riding Skateboarders need to buy a different kind of helmet which covers more at the back of the head. And if a child has been in a crash (bike, in-line skates, skateboard or scooter) their helmet need to be replaced.

9. Want to take your little one biking? The safest way to travel with a child on your bike is:
a bike carrier mounted on the front of an adult bike
a bike carrier mounted on the back of an adult bike
a bike trailer



Answer: A bike trailer According to Safe Kids Canada, a bike trailer tends to be somewhat safer, because kids ride closer to the ground (they wouldn’t fall as far in a crash). Whether in a carrier or trailer, your child should wear a helmet. To set a good example and for your own protection, you should wear one too.

10. You’re camping with your kids and go for a hike. To prevent poison ivy encounters you should:
dress in long pants and closed-toed shoes when hiking
stay on the designated trails
remember the chant: “leaves of three, let it be”
liberally spray “Poison Ivy Off” spray as you walk
options 1, 2 and 3



Answer: Options 1, 2 and 3 Our itch-producing plant friend gets around. According to the OMFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), poison ivy grows in deep woods, open spaces, dry sandy areas, swamps and at the edges of woods and at roadsides.

11. After months of gray days it’s time take your babe out into the fresh air. Sunscreen is not recommended for infants less than six months of age because it:
causes baby skin rashes
is poisonous to infants
gives parents a false sense of security that their baby is sun-protected
irritates infant eyes



Answer: Gives parents a false sense of security that their baby is sun-protected “Sunscreen is an inappropriate means of sun protection for infants under six months,” says Henry Ukpeh, a paediatrician in Trail, BC. Infants don’t sweat because their sweat glands block quickly. As a result, parents might not know that infants can overheat easily and are at risk of fever or heat stroke, explains Ukpeh. If you have to take a infant out in the sun, do so before 10 am or after 4 pm. And make sure they have protective clothing, umbrellas or a wide-brimmed hat.

12. Woot woot! Your kids are excited to try a new summer day camp. To make sure they stay sun safe at camp you should:
apply broad spectrum sunscreen with 30 SPF or higher
have them wear wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing
ask the camp director how they protect campers from sun at camp
teach your kids the song “You are My Sunshine”
options 1, 2 and 3



Answer: Options 1, 2 and 3 While sunscreen and protective clothing can help, sun avoidance is the best sun protection, say Ukpeh. Even at camp “it should not be planned that a child spends all day in the sun,” he says. There should be shaded areas or other covered shelters. Ask camp staff when and how they keep kids out of the sun.

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