York Health Services launches new campaign against injuries to children

York Region Health Services recently launched the "Kids are unpredictable. Injuries don't have to be" health communication campaign at the Community Safety Village of York Region.

In conjunction with Toronto Public Health, this campaign will raise parents' and caregivers' awareness about how to stay one step ahead to prevent childhood injuries.

Children are naturally curious, active and imaginative, yet they may lack the mental maturity and judgement to make safer decisions, according to Health Services.

From 2003 to 2005, an average of 4,269 York Region children between the ages of five and nine visited an emergency room as a result of an injury annually. Most of the injuries were related to preventable falls.

Children are commonly injured while playing on playground equipment, bicycles, skateboards, beds or other household furniture.

The "Kids are unpredictable. Injuries don't have to be" campaign asks York parents and caregivers to reduce childhood injuries by: • Actively supervising children anywhere they play. • Creating safer places for children to be in. • Knowing what your child is physically and developmentally able to do. • Ensuring play equipment and activities are suited to your child's age and ability. • Reporting unsafe public playground equipment to your local municipal office. • Dressing your child for safe play (appropriate use of helmets when bicycling, removing drawstrings and hoods that can become caught in playground equipment, etc.) • Creating and following family safety rules.

This campaign has been adapted from the groundbreaking work Toronto Public Health has done in this area, Health Services reported. On all communication materials, both health units are using the black and red graphic identifier "A step ahead for injury prevention" to remind parents to anticipate what may happen, and thus prevent injury.

In York, communication materials will be posted at local public recreational facilities, on public transit vehicles, on display screens in local mall food courts and online at www.york.ca/health, under the "What's New" section.

For more information on preventing childhood injuries or any other health-related topic, contact York Region Health Services Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.