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Safe
Winter Holidays
Power cuts, wind, rain and snow storms are a timely
reminder that winter is well and truly here. With school
holidays pending it’s a good time to remind ourselves of
the associated hazards winter can bring and the simple
safety measures we can adopt to keep our children safe.
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Winter
travel
Take
care on the roads. Drive to the conditions.
Always
buckle children into the appropriate child restraint or
safety belt for all trips no matter how short.
As an adult, set a good example and ensure you
always wear your own safety belt.
Keep
well hydrated on long journeys; even though it is cooler
we still need to drink plenty of water. Take regular
rest and exercise breaks – remember to keep warm
clothes in the car to put on when outside.
Keep
a first aid kit in your vehicle in case of an injury and
ensure it’s stocked before you head away. Winter
activities
Ensure
children are dressed appropriately for the wintry
conditions. Small hands, feet and faces chill very
quickly. Remember to take your coat, hat and gloves.
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Make
sure winter sporting equipment is of a proper fit, and
suits the child’s capability. E.g. Skis must be well
fitting, well maintained and suit the child’s skill
level.
Winter
often means slippery conditions; this includes
footpaths, playgrounds, trampolines and stairs.
Supervise young children and respect the
conditions.
Ensure
children wear helmets and other safety gear when riding
bikes, skating, roller blading or using other wheeled
toys.
Remember,
if older children are cycling in the evening, make sure
they have lights and reflectors on their bike. |
At Home
Ensure
you have smoke alarms fitted in your home and test them
regularly.
Keep
hot water between 50º and 55º at the tap. Ask your local
energy supplier or a plumber for advice on how to adjust it, if
necessary.
Always
keep your heater at least one metre away from anything that can
catch fire. Install
a fireguard around fires and heaters.
Always
make sure you have plenty of ventilation when using gas heaters
indoors.
Information provided by Safekids New Zealand, PO Box
26488, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand, telephone 64-9-630 9955,
website www.safekids.org.nz.
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