Smoke Alarms - Peel Regional Police
Transcription
Smoke Alarms - Peel Regional Police
POL I CE EMERGENCY SERVICES CRIME PREVENTION TOOL KIT ESINC INTRODUCTION TO NEW CANADIANS TABLE of contents 9-1-1................................................................................................ AUTOMATIC BANK MACHINES.............................................................. BABYSITTING....................................................................................... BICYCLE SAFETY................................................................................... CREDIT CARD PROTECTION................................................................. ELDER ABUSE....................................................................................... FIREARMS SECURITY........................................................................... FRAUDS & CONS................................................................................... HARASSING PHONE CALLS................................................................... HOME SECURITY................................................................................... PERSONAL SAFETY............................................................................... SCHOOL BUS SAFETY............................................................................ SEAT BELTS........................................................................................... SNOW SECURITY.................................................................................. VANDALISM.......................................................................................... VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION.............................................................. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC 9-1-1 EMERGENCY Dialing the 9-1-1 emergency number provides INSTANT access to emergency services ( police • fire • ambulance ) when to call 9-1-1 Inside the communications centre • Life threatening matter and/or serious crime in progress: • Whenever possible use a landline phone to call 9-1-1. - Fire - Medical (person not breathing) - Rescue (accident/confined spaces) - Safety/Security Issues (robbery/person being assaulted) This will ensure that the address and phone number appear on the call taker’s computer screen. The call taker will confirm if help is required at this time, or another location. The 9-1-1 Call Taker Will Ask remain calm • The call takers will help you. • You will be asked a series of questions. • Answer each question to the best of your ability. • Speak slowly and clearly. • It is OK to say “I don’t know”. • Stay on the line.n • Police / Fire / Ambulance? • What city are you calling from? You will then be transferred to that service for that area. police fire ambulance PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC Automatic bank machines Automatic Bank Machines (ABMs) have provided us with a quick and convenient way to access our money. However; they have also created an increased security risk. The following tips can help to ensure continuous secure use of the Automatic Bank Teller: • Never lend your card to anyone. It is the key to your bank account and is for your use only. are suspicious of anyone or anything then leave immediately and contact the police. • Protect your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Memorize that number rather than writing it down for safe keeping. • When conducting a transaction use your hand or body as a shield to prevent others from seeing any of your confidential information. • Never disclose your PIN to anyone. NOTE: No one from your bank will ever ask you for your PIN. • After completing your transaction, remember to retrieve your card, your cash, and your transaction record. • Have your card ready when approaching the automatic teller in order to complete your transaction quickly and safely. • After you have received your cash, do not count it at the teller. Place it in your purse or wallet and count it later, privately. • Be aware of anyone loitering in the area of your automatic teller. If you • Report any lost or stolen cards immediately to your bank or police.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC BABY SITTING When you are asked by a neighbour, friend or relative to babysit for them, they are giving you a job which carries a big responsibility. DO NOT treat baby sitting as just a way to earn money! • Approach it with a responsible attitude. Every baby sitting assignment should be carefully planned to ensure the safety and well being of both baby and baby sitter. The following are some helpful hints which will assist you with your baby sitting experience: • BE CAUTIOUS! Don’t accept if you don’t know the person calling. Ask who recommended you, then check back. If in doubt, refuse. Never advertise on bulletin boards, It may get you some unwelcome responses. • Be ready to state clearly, the day you’re available, hours you may work, experience you have had (infant, sixyear-old, etc.), and pay you consider fair. • BE PREPARED! Prior to the first assignment with a family, plan for an advance visit to get acquainted with the child, to learn about the duties and arrangements. • Get specific information. Save time and prevent misunderstandings later by jotting down details: • When you go on the job, leave a note for your parents advising them of the: - Parents’ name, address and phone number (business phone number is necessary). - Number of children and their ages. - Escort and transportation that will be provided to and from job. Even if you live only a few doors away, an escort may be desirable. • Address and phone number of the baby sitting assignment. Time expected home. • On arrival at the child’s home, get complete instructions from parents, insist on specific details: • Places where parents can be reached. Get phone numbers, names and addresses of people parents will visit. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC • Name and phone number of family doctor perhaps also trusted neighbour or relative. • Instructions for handling incoming phone calls. Have pencil and paper at the phone • Information about locking doors and windows lights to be left on and emergency fire procedure. • Action to take if the doorbell rings. • Bedtime rules for the baby and for older children. • Special instructions (diapers, baby’s bottle, bed-time snacks, children’s use of TV or Radio, “lights out”, etc.) • When the baby’s parents return, report any unusual happenings. If a parent is to drive you home but appears to be intoxicated, insist on calling your own parents to make other arrangements. SAFETY & GOOD MANNERS! IN CASE OF FIRE • Get the baby and other children out of house or apartment. • Do not re-enter the house. • Call the Fire Department – from a neighbour’s phone. Guard Against Accidents • Pick up toys left on the stairs...in halls or other passageways. • Be alert to possible child hazards (medicines in bathroom, dangerous utensils in kitchen, electrical outlets). • Check frequently on children’s play. • Do not operate appliances or equipment, unless permission was given by parents. Remember you’re a guest! • Take food only if permission. you have • When the baby’s parents leave, you are in charge. The following are precautions you can take: • Don’t “explore”. Don’t open closets or drawers or read personal letters left open to view. • Check and windows. and • Don’t allow friends to visit you while baby sitting. • Unknown persons should not be admitted. • Avoid making personal phone calls. Keep the phone available for incoming calls from baby’s parents. lock all doors • Never admit on the telephone or at the door that you are alone. • Telephone numbers to leave readily available for your baby sitter: - A telephone number where you can be reached. - The telephone number of a friend or neighbour for assistance. - The Poison Information Centre 1-800-268-9017. - Police, Fire, Ambulance.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC Parents When you leave your child or children in the care of a baby sitter, you are not only entrusting their safety and well-being to someone else, but you are placing a big responsibility on that person. • Select your baby sitter carefully and, if possible, have a list of two or three regular sitters from which you can choose. • Look for common sense and maturity. • Ask friends or neighbours if they can recommend any suitable baby sitters. • Having chosen a sitter, have him/her visit your home prior to the date you will be going out in order that both you and your children can get to know him/ her. • Be explicit in your instructions and, if necessary, write out a list of important points with regard to what you expect of a baby sitter. • Discourage the use of your telephone by the sitter for lengthy calls to friends. • Once you have chosen your baby sitters, and have built up confidence and trust in them, good and lasting relationships will develop. • Your children will enjoy having them baby-sit, and you will enjoy your time away from home, confident in the knowledge that your children are in good hands. • Some communities offer baby sitting courses through the Canada Safety Council. Ask your baby sitter if they have taken it. If not, suggest they do.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC BICYCLE safety Bicycles are vehicles and cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers. Riding by the same set of rules as motorists makes you predictable and reduces your risk of having an accident. If you follow a few simple rules you will not be compromising your safety. • Always check your bicycle for size. If you can stand above the horizontal cross-bar with both feet flat on the ground, your bicycle seat at hip level, the fit is right. • You must have a white front light and a red light or reflector if you ride your bike half an hour before sunset until half an hour after sunrise. • Your bike must be equipped with a bell or horn. • You must ride your bike on the righthand side of the road, single file with the flow of traffic. • Your bike must have at least one braking system. • You must signal your intentions to turn or stop, use your hand signals. • You must obey all signs and traffic lights i.e. stop for stop signs and red lights. • Listening to portable stereos or wearing headphones can be dangerous. • Wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce risk of serious head injury by 85 per cent. Remember, your helmet is a safety tool to protect your head. n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC credit card protection Losing your credit cards or having them stolen can be aggravating and costly! Credit card fraud is a serious crime for which everyone pays. Following these simple steps may help to prevent you from becoming a victim of credit card crime: • Report lost or stolen cards to the card issuer and the police immediately. This will allow the issuer to take the measures necessary to prevent fraudulent use of the cards. • Keep an accurate and up-to-date list of all credit cards, their account numbers, expiry dates and issuers’ phone numbers so that you may quickly report missing cards. Remember to keep the list in a secure place. • Never volunteer your card number to callers who tell you that you have won a trip or prize or are eligible to receive a free gift. This could result in unauthorized charges to your account. • Avoid leaving credit cards or other valuables in a locker at recreational facilities and other public places even if it can be locked. • Never leave credit cards in the car or any other vehicle. Many cards are stolen from glove compartments. • Never lend your credit card to anyone. • Sign new credit cards as soon as you receive them and destroy the expired ones. • Protect all your cards, including those issued by phone companies, grocery store chains and discount stores that would facilitate someone to charge goods and services in your name.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC elder abuse Elder abuse is not a crime committed by strangers. It is harm done to an older person by a relative, friend, or anyone the elder depends on for basic needs. Elder abuse occurs anywhere, including homes, institutions, and health care facilities. It is a universal issue, not an issue of socioeconomic standing. Elder abuse usually falls into four main categories: - - - - Physical Abuse Financial Abuse Neglect Mental cruelty These categories usually do not exist separately or in isolation. Although not all abuse may be a criminal issue the majority are: • Physical Abuse may consist of assault, sexual assault, forcible confinement, murder, manslaughter. • Financial Abuse may consist of theft, theft by a person with power of attorney, fraud, extortion, forgery, stopping mail with intent. • Neglect may consist of criminal negligence causing bodily harm or death, failing to provide the necessaries of life. • Mental Cruelty may consist of intimidation, uttering threats. Prevention Suggestions For Families & Caregivers DO: P Find out how your aging parent or relative wishes to be cared for if they should become dependent or require medical care. P Find out how they want their assets spent or maintained. Carefully examine your own ability to provide care for an increasingly dependent relative. PConsult with other family members about how care giving will affect them. Examine the physical realities of the home into where the older person may move. e.g. is a first floor bathroom required? PLearn about all the community resources available to help. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC Do not: O Take in any older relative on the spur of the moment or because you feel guilty. O Assume that a tenuous relationship will miraculously improve when the person comes to live with you. O Feel you have failed if you are unable to continue to provide home care and must seek an alternative. Prevention Suggestions For Older Persons Do: PPlan for your own future when you are well and still independent. PMake a will and review it annually. Have your pension and other cheques deposited directly into your account. PStay active in the community as long as possible. Do not: O Revise a will without careful thought and speaking to someone you trust. O Leave jewellery, cash, or other valuable possessions lying around the house. Make it burglar¬proof. O Rely solely on family members for your social life and care. O Allow adult children to return to your home (especially if they have drug, alcohol, or psychological problems) without carefully considering the situation and consulting others for advice. O Be too proud to ask for help when you need it e.g. public health nurse, church, senior centre, friends. O Be intimidated in seeking your rights because of your age.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC firearms safety Under the Firearms Act individuals & businesses (including museums) must obtain a licence to possess (have, own) or acquire (obtain, get, inherit) a firearm. • The Firearms Regulations set out four types of licences for individuals. 1. POL – Licence for Possession Only. 2. PAL – Licenced to Acquire & Possess. 3. Possession licence for minors . Starting December 1st, 1998: 4. Temporary firearms borrow licences (for non-residents). - All imported firearms must be registered when they enter Canada, and, • The Criminal Code requires all firearms in Canada owned on or before December 1st, 1998 to be registered by January 1st, 2003. - Individuals must register any firearms that are transferred to them. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC frauds & CONS Confidence artists, male or female, come with different stories, plans and proposals. They have deals to help you out, get you something you need for half price, or even to make you rich. They all share a knowledge of human nature (what you might call a working knowledge of human drives and weaknesses). They are all skilled in using this knowledge to get the same thing: your money! There are many variations to every con game. With this in mind, here are a few of the more common types of cons or swindles someone might try to play on you: Home Improvement • One of the most common schemes is the door-to-door renovating company. The sales person claims to “just happen to be in the neighbourhood” and offers a good deal for improvements you might want done. Don’t feel pressured. Ask questions and only do business when you are satisfied that he/she is legitimately representing a reputable company and that you actually need the work done. • Always be skeptical of sales people who offer to inspect your roof, chimney, or furnace at no cost. You can be sure that they will recommend work that is required immediately, whether or not it actually is. • The safest way to ensure satisfaction is to get estimates from established companies in your community. Because they have a reputation and business to protect and will be around after the work is done, you can expect a higher quality of workmanship and a better price. Contracts • Before signing any contract, read it over carefully. If you do not understand or you have doubts about the conditions of the agreement, don’t sign on the dotted line. For all you know, you could be signing away the deed to your home or committing your self to a lifetime of payments at high interest rates. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC • Remember that any reputable company will allow you sufficient time to inspect a contract. Be wary of that “limited time offer” and pressure sales people that “explain away” the contracts or shrug it off as a “standard” document that shouldn’t be a concern to you. • A reputable sales person will allow you time to consider what you are purchasing and time to seek legal advice without conditions. The Phony Bank Inspector • The elderly are most often the victims of one of the most cruel swindles – the phony bank inspector. Here’s how it works: Alone or with an accomplice, the fraud artist will claim to be a bank inspector or police officer trying to trap a dishonest employee of the bank where you have an account. • The first approach is often made by telephone. You will be asked to withdraw money from your account and give it to the con artist for use as evidence against the employee under investigation. You will be cautioned to maintain utmost secrecy so that employees of the bank are not alerted and you may even be offered a reward for your co-operation. • Predictably, the phony “bank inspector” disappears and so does your money. • Remember This Basic Fact – No bank employee or police officer will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account for any reason. If anyone asks you to do that, call your bank manager and your local police service.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC harassing phone calls Nuisance, obscene, or threatening phone calls range from relatively harmless pranks to potentially harmful or clearly dangerous threats. The best advice for the recipient of such calls is to say nothing to encourage a return call! Hang up – if the caller says nothing or at the first offensive word, or if the caller doesn’t identify himself/herself. Should they persist, then we advise that you keep an accurate record of the calls and notify police. At this point, investigative measures may be taken. • To minimize the chances of being called at random by a nuisance caller, it is recommended that women list their names in directories without their marital status and use their initial rather than their first name. A woman who has an answering machine is advised to obtain a pre-recorded out¬going message rather than recording her own personal message. This prevents an unwanted caller from knowing that she is a woman living alone. • An answering machine can serve as a screening device for calls coming in while you are at home. An unlisted number, although difficult to maintain, is very effective in preventing nuisance calls. Contact your phone provider and inquire about phone services such as Call Display or Call Forwarding. • If you consult the front of your telephone directory there should be information also on harassing phone calls. In the Halton area Bell Canada offers a feature called Call Trace available from both touch tone and rotary phones. When this feature is used there is a cost to you. If the trace is successful the information will only be provided to the police.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC home Security If burglars are certain no one is at home, they will feel safer committing a crime. They often canvass neighbourhoods looking for uncut lawns and stuffed mail boxes. They spend spare evenings looking for darkened houses or lights that have been left on too long. To reduce the possibility of burglary, be aware of these rules: at home or at work • Keep a record of serial numbers and descriptions of your household possessions. • Inscribe your driver’s licence or social insurance number on your possessions so that police can identify them as yours and return them to you. • Ask police for the free loan of an electric engraving pencil. • Install secure locks in your house. • Use the locks you already have. • Do not leave notes on your door. • Change locks if keys have been lost or stolen. • Doors should have sturdy frames, with hinges that cannot be removed. • When moving into a new house or apartment, have all the locks changed. • Lock your garage. • Secure your gas barbecue with a chain and padlock. • Lawn mowers, snow blowers and gas barbecues, should be stored out of sight when not in use. Garden sheds and cabanas should also be locked. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC • Check with your insurance agent with regard to home checks while your home is unoccupied. You may not be covered if your home has not been visited while you are away on vacation. When you go away on vacation... • Whether you go away for the day or a week’s vacation, use automatic timers that will turn lights on and off and give your home an occupied appearance. • Leave a door key with a trusted neighbour and a key to the burglar alarm system, if you have one. • Notify close neighbours about how long you will be gone and details of any persons who will be visiting your home during your absence. • Have a neighbour pick up newspapers and mail or discontinue all deliveries. • Arrange to have your lawn mowed or snow shoveled. • If you have a second car, leave it in your driveway, or arrange to have a neighbour park a car in your driveway. • Check all windows and doors to make certain that they are locked. • Lock your garage. Consider a house sitter. • Provide your neighbour with the phone number of a close relative or friend in case of emergency. • Leave your travelling schedule and phone number with a neighbour or relative so that you may be contacted if necessary. • Enjoy yourself, knowing that you left your home as secure as you reasonably could make it. An alarm can be a positive addition to the security system of any home. The lifestyles of some families make the installation of some kind of alarm even more necessary. If a home is vacant during the daytime or for the weekend, or if the home is situated in an isolated location, it could be considered more vulnerable for a break-in than other homes. • The addition of an alarm system is a good backup to physical security such as auxiliary locks and window security and can help to ensure greater peace of mind for those who must leave their homes unattended for extensive periods of time. • Alarm systems are available in a variety of forms from the basic self-contained unit to suit a simple door or window, (these types are usually available through hardware or electronic stores), to more elaborate systems which can be wired to sound a bell or horn at the residence or at a central monitoring location. This will in turn notify the police. • The decision to install any alarm should be made with careful consideration of the lifestyle of the residents using the system. • For example, if there are several family members coming and going from the residence throughout the day, then a coded alarm system may be preferable to a keyed system. If there are animals in the residence then a motion detector may not be advisable as it could be accidentally triggered by pets roaming about the house. • Make inquires of several reputable alarm companies before deciding which type to purchase. n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PERSONAL Safety Awareness of the following crime prevention pointers, combined with your own common sense, can help make crime-proofing your way of life. • Trust your instincts. If your sixth sense tells you to be wary, pay attention. • Be careful where you walk. Avoid lonely or unlit streets and unfamiliar short cuts. Walk on the curb side, away from alleys and doorways. • It is dangerous to hitchhike and to involve yourself with strangers who are hitching a ride. Once trapped inside the car, it is difficult to call for assistance. • Inform others when and where you are going and check in with them when you reach your destination. • Don’t let strangers into your house. Insist on proper identification from service personnel. If someone asks to use your phone, offer to make the call for them instead. • If you suspect you are being followed, cross the street, go to the nearest house or store and call the police. Scream if necessary. • If you live alone, use first initials only on mail boxes, apartment directories or the phone book. Remember Report crimes or suspicious activities. Putting crime prevention into action helps contribute to your peace of mind and enjoyment of your community. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC The following precautions will help you to prevent sexual assault. They are preventive measures to enhance your safety generally. Residence • Use initials rather than first names on mail boxes and in telephone books. • Entrances and garages should be well lit. • If you return home and find your windows or doors tampered with, do not enter or call out. Go to a neighbour and call police. • Never stay alone in apartment laundry rooms, mail rooms or garages. • Never admit, on the telephone or at your door that you are alone. Street • Walk with a purpose. Avoid isolated areas and shortcuts through parks or vacant lots. Be alert and attentive to your surroundings. Public Transportation • Try to avoid waiting or getting off at isolated stations if alone. Arrange for a family member to escort you to and from station. Public Places • Use caution in conversations with a person you have just met. Avoid giving your name, address or place of employment. • It is risky to accept a ride home and an invitation for a late night offer of a drink from someone you just met. Private Places • If you feel menaced in a one-on-one situation, act at once, even if you must leave your home. • If you have been sexually assaulted it is important you call the police immediately. DO NOT to change your clothes. Sexual assault is ANY unwanted act of a sexual nature imposed by one person on another. • It is a crime, even if it happens in a marriage or dating relationship. Sexual assault happens to men as well as women.n • Not all sexual assaults happen in “dangerous” places such as dark alleys or parking lots. Many sexual assaults are committed by persons known to the victim. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC school bus safety SCHOOL BUS STOPPING LAW The law applies everywhere regardless of the posted speed limit on highway, county roads, city, town or village. Motorists meeting a stopped school bus with red lights flashing and the stop arm extended must stop unless they are on a highway divided by a median strip. Motorist overtaking a stopped school bus with red lights flashing on any highway, MUST always stop at least 20 metres before reaching the bus. In both cases motorists may not proceed until the bus resumes motion, or the lights have stopped flashing. What you should know as a motorist What you should know as a parent • You must drive with extra care whenever you see a school bus in front of you or coming towards you. • You should remind your children to be extra careful when getting on and off the school bus. Have them take a second look for traffic before crossing the road. • Remember that if the bus flashes its red lights, traffic in both directions must stop! • Also, remind your children to follow the school bus safety rules taught at school. Encourage them to help the driver keep his or her attention on road safety. They can do this by behaving as quietly as possible and remaining seated until the bus has come to a complete stop.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC seat belts There are many good reasons to wear your seat belt! Seat belts hold you securely in place. If you are a driver, this helps you control the car in a crash situation. • Many people think they can protect themselves in a collision by bracing themselves against the dashboard or steering wheel. But even in a low-speed crash, a person not wearing a seat belt hits the inside or the car with the force of many times his or her weight. • Serious injuries occurring to passengers in motor vehicles are often caused by people being thrown into each other during a crash. If you are not wearing your seat belt, you could be thrown from your vehicle: - through a windshield or door. - into trees, telephone poles or rocks. - or run over by your own or someone else’s car. • It is important to realize that air bags do not take the place of seal belts. However; when activated, they reduce the forward movement of the upper torso and minimize impact. These inflatable crash devices are designed to provide protection in front crashes, not side or rear collisions or rollovers. With an air bag, you can still be thrown out of your car, so always wear your full seat belt assembly in an air bag equipped vehicle. • Although some people worry about it, less than one-half of one per cent of all injury causing crashes result in fire or being submerged under water in a river or lake. If this kind or situation does happen, a seat belt can save your life by keeping you unhurt and alert, allowing you to escape quickly. No matter how strong you are or how much warning you have, you cannot hold onto a baby in a crash. Make sure your child is properly secured in a child safety seat. • There is no reason for a pregnant woman not to wear a seat belt. If she is concerned about her baby, she must realize that keeping herself alive is the first step in protecting her unborn child. Pregnant women should always wear PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC both lap and shoulder belt, sitting as upright as possible. The lap belt should be worn low so it pulls downward on the pelvic bones, not directly against the abdomen. • Safe driving is your responsibility. Everyone has an equal chance of being in a collision. Most accidents occur close to home and in speed zones below 65 km/h. Why take the chance? Children mimic their parents. Wear your seat belt and have your children buckle up. Safe driving starts with you and your attitude. Only you can make a difference safety is a habit.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC SNOW safety With its cold and often stormy weather, winter presents many safety challenges both indoors and out. Being prepared and following simple safety tips can help you stay safe and warm. • Check ice conditions on lakes and rivers before you venture out on them. Don’t slide down snow banks onto roadways, it is safer to use a toboggan hill. • Scout out the toboggan hill to ensure it is free from trees, rocks, poles fences, or picnic tables before sliding down hill. • Never hitch a toboggan to a car or snowmobile. • Take ski lessons on your first visit to the slopes and obey all the “laws” of the hill. • Many tragic accidents have been caused by building yunnels or forts in snow banks. If trapped inside, you could suffocate or, worse yet, be injured or killed by a snow plough. • Don’t throw snowballs. You could blind someone or give them a concussion if you strike them in the head. • Road hockey should be played on a dead end street, a vacant school yard or parking lot. • Don’t challenge cars when you go after a puck or move your nets. Cars are unable to stop quickly on ice or packed snow. • Wear the proper clothing in winter months - hat, gloves, boots, and a coat. More than half of your body heat escapes from your head. • Parka hoods or hats can cut down your hearing, so pay extra attention near roads for approaching cars. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC • A snow machine or off-road vehicle is not a toy. Common sense. proper handling, and proper maintenance will result in safe and enjoyable use. • All MSV (motorized snow vehicles) and off road vehicles must be registered and a person who drives anywhere except on land occupied by the vehicle owner must carry liability insurance and produce evidence where requested. • Know and obey the rules of the road and check local municipal by-laws. • Helmets that meet regulations must be worn by drivers, passengers and riders on a towed conveyance. • Never allow children to operate vehicles alone. • Obtain consent of private owners before riding on private lands. • Snowmobiling or off-road vehicles and liquor do not mix. Do not drink and drive. • Learn as much as possible about the mechanical operation of a machine before you use it. • Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. • Never travel alone. Know ice conditions, thickness and underlying water currents. Also watch for covered stumps, fallen trees and overhanging branches. • Avoid side hills or rough terrain. • Be sure to dress warmly... cover all exposed skin areas to avoid serious frostbite or freezing. Check for frostbite frequently. • Remember 50 km/hr speed limit applies on trails and on highways where a car speed limit is faster than 50 km/hr. • Never check fuel or the battery by the light of a match or cigarette lighter. • Always carry extra gasoline, tools and replacement parts for lengthy excursions.n BREAKING THROUGH ICE SELF RESCUE • Don’t panic – the clothing you are wearing will trap air and keep you buoyant. • Turn towards the direction you came from. • Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface. • Kick your feet and legs vigorously into an swimming position, then try to push yourself forward on top of the broken ice on your stomach like a seal. • Once you are lying on the ice, don’t stand up. Roll away from the break until you are on solid ice.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC vandalism The willful damage or defacing of property belonging to another person or the public is a criminal offence. Vandalism may be perpetrated whenever the opportunity exists – often in schools after hours, in public parks after dark, and on premises which are not occupied. Usually vandals do their mischief when they think that no one will see them - at least no one who is likely to stop them. Most acts of vandalism are committed by children and young persons. Therefore, a great responsibility rests with parents to set a good example. Parents must realize they must constantly monitor their child’s various stages of development, his or her changes in interest, friends and attitudes. Parents must ensure their child does not succumb to the negative pressures which all too often end in trouble. Suggested preventive measures against vandalism include the following: • Improved lighting. • Rapid reporting of incidents of vandalism, as well as suspicious persons loitering in an area where an act of vandalism may be committed. Do not assume that someone else has already made the call. • Maintain a “good neighbour’’ policy by watching out for your neighbour’s property as well as your own. • Parents should be aware of their children’s associates and activities. • lnform your children of the criminal consequences of vandalism and ask that your children observe a curfew in your home.n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC Vehicle Theft PREVENTION Motor vehicles have become an important part of our lifestyle. In Canada, one car is stolen every eight minutes. Ninety per cent of car theft arrests involve persons under 25. • Two thirds of all thefts occur at night. Prime targets are late model cars, or sporty models and high powered models. • Sixty per cent of stolen cars had the keys left in the ignition. Theft of automobiles and of valuables left inside automobiles can usually be prevented by following these simple precautions: • Never leave your vehicle with the engine running. • Always lock all doors and windows of your vehicle after entering and exiting. • Never leave an identification tag on your key ring. Thieves may use it to locate your home or car. • Never hide a spare key in the car. Thieves know where to look for it. • Never leave personal identification or valuables in the vehicle. Lock all valuables in the trunk. Don’t tempt thieves by leaving packages, cameras, or purses on the seat. • Mount tape decks and CD players inconspicuously. If you have a portable phone in the car, use mountings that allow you to take the equipment with you or at least store in the trunk for safekeeping. • Park in well-lit, busy areas for your own safety as well as your car’s. • Engrave removable accessories such as stereos, CB equipment and telephones. • Consider buying smooth, non-flared locking buttons for your car doors. • A variety of other devices are available to safeguard your vehicle, including hood locks, alarms, and kill switches to prevent hot wiring. n PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC PEEL REGIONAL POLICE – DIVERSITY RELATIONS – LINC FI RE EMERGENCY SERVICES FIRE PREVENTION INFORMATION KIT ESINC INTRODUCTION TO NEW CANADIANS BRAMPTON Fire & Emergency Services………………..………..905-874-2700 Website………………………………………………………....www.brampton.ca MISSISSAUGA Fire & Emergency Services………………...…….905-896-5908 Website…………………………….………………………….www.mississauga.ca Get to Know Smoke Alarms This home smoke alarm flyer was developed to be used by both adults and children. This piece uses many illustrations and easy-to-read language to teach people about smoke alarms. Make copies to hand out to residents. — Keeping Your Community Safe and Sound — NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org/education Get to Know Smoke Alarms | page 1 If there is a fire in your home, there will be smoke. A smoke alarm will let you know there is a fire in your home. You need a smoke alarm in each bedroom. You need a smoke alarm on each level of your home. — Keeping Your Community Safe and Sound — NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org/education Get to Know Smoke Alarms | page 2 You need a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area. Push the test button at least once a month to make sure it is working. If the smoke alarm sounds, get outside the home. Then call the fire department. — Keeping Your Community Safe and Sound — NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org/education Plan and Practice a Home Fire Drill 2 1 If possible, plan two ways out of every room. Draw your escape plan. Know where to meet outside. 3 4 Push the smoke alarm button to start the fire drill. Go over the plan with everyone in your home. Identify people who need help. 6 5 If there is smoke and fire blocking your way out, take your second way out. Get out fast and stay out. 8 7 Close the doors behind you when you leave. If all ways are blocked by smoke, get low and go below smoke. 9 National Fire Protection Association High-Risk Outreach Programs, Public Education Division 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 www.nfpa.org Go to your meeting place. Call 9-1-1 or your fire emergency number from a neighbor’s home or from your meeting place. Illustrations by L.S. Pierce © 2008 Be Fire-Safe in the Kitchen 1. Stay in the kitchen when frying food or cooking with oil or grease. No YES 2. Never cook when you are tired. No YES 3. To put out a pan fire, slide a lid over the pan. Turn off the stove and let the pan cool. No YES A Recipe for Keeping Your Community Cooking Safely NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org Be Fire-Safe in the Kitchen 4. If you have a fire and it does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department. No YES 5. Keep things that can burn away from the stove. No YES No YES A Recipe for Keeping Your Community Cooking Safely NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org Illustrations by L.S. Pierce © 2009 6. Keep kids at least three feet from the stove. Be Fire-Safe with Electricity You do not need a flame to start a fire. Fires can start when heat builds up near things that burn. This can happen when a hot light bulb is near things that burn, such as cloth or paper, or when a damaged cord is placed under a carpet. Keep things that burn, like scarves or other clothes, off lamps. No YES Keep curtains away from light bulbs. Bulbs can get hot and start a fire. No YES Illustrations by L.S. Pierce Heavy things placed on top of a cord can wear out the cord and cause a fire. No YES Keeping Your Community Safe and Energized! NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org Be Fire-Safe with Electricity Keep cords from under carpets where people walk on them. They can wear out and cause a fire. No YES Use a light bulb with the right number of watts. No YES Keeping Your Community Safe and Energized! NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org Heating Safety Tips Have your furnace cleaned every year. NO YES Have your chimney cleaned every year. NO YES Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. NO YES More Ways to Keep Your Community Safe and Warm NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org Heating Safety Tips Turn space heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room. Illustrations by L.S. Pierce. NO Have a sturdy screen on your fireplace. YES NO YES Never use your oven to heat your home. NO YES More Ways to Keep Your Community Safe and Warm NFPA • 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169 • www.nfpa.org Fire in your Apartment Building Prevent kitchen fires in your apartment • If smoke enters your apartment: - Call the fire department, tell them where you are and then move to the balcony. Close the doors behind you. - If you don’t have a balcony, go to the most smoke-free room, close the door and seal it with tape and towels. If necessary, open the window for fresh air. Show emergency personnel where you are by hanging a sheet from the window or balcony. - Keep low to the floor where the air is cleaner - Listen for instructions from authorities Cooking-related hazards lead to the majority of residential fires, many of which are preventable. Here are some tips: • Always have a lid/cookie sheet and oven glove nearby when you are cooking • Always stay in the kitchen when using the stove. If you must answer the door or phone, turn the stove off and remove the pot/pan • Never leave your apartment with the oven on • If your pot/pan does catch on fire, slide the lid over the pan if safe to do so, turn off your stove and leave your apartment and call 911 • Never cook if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that makes you drowsy Remember, fire safety begins with you Brampton Fire and Emergency Services 905.458.5580 • firelife@brampton.ca Find out about fire safety in your building. For more information about surviving a fire, ask your building management or the fire department. Content provided by the Office of the Fire Marshal (www.ofm.gov.on.ca) Alternate formats available upon request 2014-0081 www.facebook.com/BramptonFire www.twitter.com/BramptonFireES Fire safety begins with you Learn what to do if a fire happens in your building. This is the best way to protect yourself and those around you. Talk to your landlord or superintendent. Know the emergency procedures outlined in the building’s fire safety plan. Every fire is different. You must act quickly when you hear the alarm or discover a fire. You must always protect yourself from smoke. Remember, most people die from the smoke, not the fire. Here is what to do. If there is a fire in your apartment • Tell everyone in your apartment to leave • Close all doors behind you • Pull the fire alarm on your floor and yell ‘fire’ • Leave the building using the nearest stairway • Call the fire department when you are safe • Meet the firefighters when they arrive and tell them where the fire is When you hear the Fire Alarm To go or to stay? Most of the time, the best thing to do in a fire is leave the building as soon as possible. But in some cases you may not be able to leave and you may have to stay in your apartment. In either case you must act quickly. No matter what your decision you must protect yourself from the smoke. Before you leave your apartment Check the door to your apartment. If smoke is entering from around the door, do not open it. Protect yourself from smoke inside your apartment as described later in this brochure. When you are inside the stairway If you find smoke on your way down the stairs, leave that stairway as soon as you can. In some buildings, some doors leading from the stairway to the corridor may be locked. But at least every five floors the doors will not lock so you can leave the stairway. • Use another stairway if it is clear of smoke • If there is no smoke, brace yourself and open the door a little - If you see smoke or feel heat, close the door quickly and protect yourself - If the corridor is clear, take your keys, lock your door, and go to the nearest stairway • DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR • Open the nearest stairway door carefully - If there is no smoke, use the stairway to leave the building - If there is smoke, do not enter. Close the door. Go to another stairway and open the door carefully - If there is no smoke here, use this stairway to leave the building - If there is smoke, do not enter. If there are other stairways, try them. If there are not, return to your apartment and protect yourself from smoke • If you can’t use any stairway, return to your apartment if you can, or go into any corridor and bang on apartment doors until you find a place to take shelter • Never go to the roof. Smoke usually rises to the top of the stairway. Doors opening onto the roof are locked and you could be trapped. • Remember, wherever you are, if there is smoke, get low and go under the smoke to safety. The air is cleaner near the floor. If you remain in your apartment You must protect yourself from smoke. Stay in your apartment until you are rescued or until you are told to leave. This may take a long time. Do not try to leave your apartment a long time after the alarm has sounded. The longer you wait, the more risk there is that heavy smoke will have spread into stairways and corridors. Your chances of survival are less. • Keep smoke from entering your apartment. Use duct tape to seal cracks around the door and place wet towels at the bottom. Seal vents or air ducts the same way. PARAMEDI C EMERGENCY SERVICES PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDIC SERVICES ESINC INTRODUCTION TO NEW CANADIANS For Further Information About Peel Regional Paramedic Services Contact: EMERGENCY . ..............................................................................................................9-1-1 peel paramedic services – Public education & awareness........... 905-791-7800 Ext.3956 calling for paramedics Paramedics are highly trained in pre-hospital emergency medicine who respond to medical emergencies throughout Peel. 9-1-1 Emergency • Explain to the Ambulance Dispatcher what the problem is. • In any emergency situation it’s important to stay calm, get organized and prepare for emergency services to arrive. Here are a few things that you can do to ensure you’re ready when help is on the way: - Move all cars from the driveway. - Gather all patient’s medication and health card. - Turn on the lights inside and outside the home. - Unlock and open the door. - Clear a path to the patient inside and outside. - Secure pets. NON-Emergencies • Knowing what care is available for you and your family before you get sick can help ensure that you receive treatment as quickly as possible. • If your health concern is not an emergency, you can: - Call Telehealth Ontario toll-free at 1-866-797-0000 and speak with a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week. - Visit your doctor. Be aware of your doctor’s holiday office hours. - Go to your nearest walk-in clinic.n PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS administering FIRST AID Injuries have causes – they don’t simply occur. To prevent injuries it is necessary to have information about the factors that contribute to their occurrence. Major Head Injuries & Concussions • Forehead injuries following: look for the - Combative, aggressive or agitated behaviour. - Loss of consciousness. - Decreased awareness of surroundings. - Vomiting. • External (obvious evidence) of a head injury such as bleeding, bruising, swelling, deformity: - Seek Emergency Medical help; call 9-1-1, or the local emergency number for your area. - Do not give anything to eat or drink. - Do not move the person, but reassure and keep them warm. - Apply a cold pack such as ice wrapped in a towel to the affected area. (Avoid applying ice directly to the skin.) - Apply pressure to the bleeds, using a sterile pad. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS Treating Minor Lacerations • Apply pressure directly to the bleeding area, using a sterile pad. • Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the area with clean cloths and cool water. • Apply clean dry bandage. • Seek emergency medical help if required. Treating Major Lacerations • Apply direct pressure immediately to control the bleeding. For major bleeding call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number in your area. • Apply bandages with pressure. Do not remove bandages if they are filled with blood, but rather apply fresh bandages over top of the old ones. • Elevate the injured area. Treating Minor Fractures • Minor fractures may not be obvious, but the pain may be severe. It may take a while for the swelling to become apparent. • Apply a cool compress such as ice wrapped in a towel to the area. Avoid applying ice directly to the skin. • Seek emergency medical attention. Treating Major Fractures • Major fractures will have obvious deformity. The joint may be dislocated. • The bone may or may not come through the skin. Pain will be severe. • Reassure and keep warm. Do not move the person. • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number in your area. • Keep person reassured. warm, calm and • Do not give anything to eat or drink. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS P OI S ON Poisons – Swallowed / Inhaled • Do not induce vomiting. • Do not give anything by mouth. • Call the Poison Control Centre – located in the first 2 pages of the phone book. • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number in your area. • If poison is inhaled, get person outside to clean air immediately. • Some inhaled poisons may include powders, aerosols or gases. Poisons – On The Skin • Remove clothing from the affected area and rinse under lukewarm water for 10 minutes. Poisons – In The Eye - Rinse affected eye under lukewarm water for approx 15 minutes. Do not try to force the eye open. The eye will slowly open up by itself. - Ensure the head is tilted under the stream of lukewarm water with the affected eye closest to the ground. - If both eyes are affected, it doesn’t matter which way the head is tilted. If needed call Poison Control or seek emergency medical attention. • If needed seek medical attention. • Call the Poison Control Centre – located in the first 2 pages of the phone book. Some poisons in powder form may react with water. Call Poison Control before rinsing. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS 1st Degree Burns - First degree burns are often thought of as sunburn, it may involve redness, pain and swelling. - Apply clean cool compresses to the affected area, but do not ‘rub’ the area. Rubbing creates friction and will increase the injury. - Do not apply butter, or oils to any burns. 2nd Degree Burns • Second-degree burns involve redness, swelling, blisters and are very painful; there may be an open wound. • Seek emergency medical help. • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number in your area. • Cover the area with clean cool wet cloths and change, every minute. Do not rub the area. 3rd Degree Burns • Third degrees burns are the most severe, however no pain is felt. The area is blistered and there are open sores. • Third degree burns are often surrounded by second-degree burns, which are severely painful. • Call 9-1-1 immediately or the local emergency number in your area. Do not rub the area. • Cover with clean cool wet cloths and change frequently. Frostbite • Frost bitten areas are cold, white, waxy in appearance and may feel numb. • There may be complete recovery of the area, or permanent tissue damage. • Common areas of frostbite include fingers, toes and ears. • Frost bitten areas should be warmed quickly in lukewarm water (test it). • Do not walk on frost bitten toes as further tissue damage may occur. • Do not rub the area. • Seek immediate medical attention. Heat Stroke / Exhaustion • Proper clothing and hydration (drink plenty of fluids) is key to prevention. • Avoid prolonged exposure to hot temperatures. • The person may be hot flushed or pale, and may complain of headache, dizziness, nausea vomiting or muscle cramps. • Get the person to a cool place quickly. • Elevate legs and loosen clothing. • Drink plenty of water or sport drinks. • Sponge the armpits, neck and groin with cool water. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS CHOKING Common Factors • Large pieces of food or not chewing food enough. • Talking, laughing or crying while eating. • Swallowing toys or pieces of toys • Swallowing other foreign objects. Infant – Responsive • Look for signs of airway obstruction. • Difficulty breathing or gagging. • High pitched breathing noises or a weak cry. • Grey blue colour of lips or gums. • Give 5 back blows, followed by 5, 2 finger chest compressions (thrusts) on the chest between the nipples. • Look in the mouth for an object, if visible, remove. Infant – Unresponsive • If unresponsive call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number for your area. • Stay on the line, the 9-1-1 dispatcher may provide CPR instructions. • Follow the CPR guidelines for an infant. • Look into the mouth after each set of 30 chest compressions. • Continue until patient revives or EMS arrives. • Do not probe the mouth for objects. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS Child – Responsive • Look for signs of airway obstruction, difficulty breathing, coughing or gagging. • High pitched breathing noises or a weak cry/ sounds. • Grey blue colour of lips or gums. • Perform abdominal thrusts. • Position yourself behind the patient. • Place a fist about 5 cm above the patient’s naval. Child – Unresponsive • If unresponsive call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number for your area. • Stay on the line, the 9-1-1 dispatcher may provide CPR instructions. • Follow the CPR guidelines for a child. • Look into the mouth after each set of 30 chest compressions. • Continue until patient revives or EMS arrives. • Grab the fist with your other hand. • Sharply pull in and up. Repeat until object is dislodged. • Intoxication from alcohol or other substances. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS adult – Responsive • Let adults help themselves initially. • Coughing or gagging. • Inability to speak or make sounds. • Look for signs of airway obstruction. • Perform abdominal thrusts. • Position yourself behind the patient. • Place a fist about 5 cm above the patient’s naval. • Grab the fist with your other hand. • Sharply pull in and up. Repeat until object is dislodged. adult – Unresponsive • If unresponsive call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number for your area. • Stay on the line, the 9-1-1 dispatcher may provide CPR instructions. • Follow the CPR guidelines for an adult. • Look into the mouth after each set of 30 chest compressions. • Continue until patient revives or EMS arrives. • For obese or pregnant patients, perform thrusts between the nipples. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS Signs Of A Heart Attack • Chest Pain. • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. • Sweating or pale, cool, clammy skin. • Nausea and vomiting. • Fear, anxiety, and denial. What You Can Do To Help • Take charge and expect denial. • Sit or lay the person in a comfortable position for them. • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number in your area. • Offer reassurance and stay with the person until help arrives. Signs Of A Stroke • Sudden difficulty speaking, understanding speech. or • Sudden blurred vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes. • Sudden weakness and/or numbness of the face, arm or leg. • Sudden loss of coordination, dizziness or light-headedness. • Sudden severe headache with no known cause. What You Can Do To Help • Call 9-1-1 or the appropriate emergency number in your area. • Sit or lay the person in a comfortable position for them. • Offer reassurance to the person. • If the person becomes unconscious, lay them gently on their side. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS car seat safety On average over 30 children age 0-4 die and 3,200 are injured in car accidents each year in Canada. In most cases the child’s car seat was not installed properly! Automobile Related Infant Injuries & Deaths • A correctly installed car seat may reduce the likelihood of death or injury by 75%. • The Four Rules of Car Seat Safety are: Car Seat Facts • All car seats sold in Canada must have a CMVSS sticker and date of manufacture. • Car seats are sized for the age, weight, and height of your child. Keep infants rear facing as long as possible. 1. The child must fit the seat. • Car seats handed down, or bought at garage sales are often unsafe. 2. The child must be properly harnessed into the seat. Infant–Only Car Seats 3. The seat must fit in the car. 4. The seat must be properly installed in the car. (For Infants aged 0-8 Months) • Always to be used rear facing. • Follow manufacturers’ guidelines for height and weight. • Most models have a base that can remain in a car. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS Infant/Child Convertible Car Seats (For infants aged 3–24 months) • Keep infant’s rear facing as long as possible, at least to 9kg and 12 months. • A child’s height/length may affect the model / manufacturer that best suits your child. • Use forward facing for infants from 12 months up to about 4 years of age or 19kg. Booster Seats • Booster seats are used forward facing for children over 19kg or about 4 years of age. • As of September 2005, it is the law that all caregivers must use appropriate child car seats for children that have not achieved at least one of the following criteria: - 8 years of age - 145cm - 36kg • It is our strong recommendation that all children ride in a booster seat until they have achieved the minimum of both 145cm and 36kg regardless of age. Harnessing A Child • When harnessing all infants, toddlers and children remember: - All straps should lie flat and must fit snugly, with only one finger between harness and collarbone. - The chest clip should be at arm pit level or nipple line. - Never add padding under or behind the baby. - Adjust the straps to reflect the thickness of the clothing that the child is wearing. • When harnessing an infant rear facing the straps should fit at or below the babies’ shoulders. • When harnessing a child forward facing the straps should fit at or above the shoulders. Before Installing A Car Seat • Read the vehicle owner’s manual and the car seat manual. • Rear middle seats are the safest place although in some vehicles this location is not to be used. • Push car seat into the upholstery, then pull belt as tight as possible. Pull forward to check snugness; there should be little or no movement. • Some lap and shoulder belts may require a locking clip. • The vehicle seat should support 80% of the car seat base. n Tether Straps • Every vehicle built after 1989 has holes in place for tether anchors. After 1999 all passenger vehicles were made with tether anchors in place. • In Canada a tether strap must be used on all forward facing car seats. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS principles of injury Prevention Injuries have causes – they don’t simply occur. To prevent injuries it is necessary to have information about the factors that contribute to their occurrence. For Young Children • NEVER leave children unattended. Active supervision of children is the key to injury prevention. • Be aware, as your children grow that with each age and stage, there will be different challenges. • Be aware of your child's developmental stage, and what comes next. • Be aware of times in your day or in your calendar, such as holidays and birthdays, when your children are at higher risk. • Observe your child's world from their perspective. Get down on the floor and see what they see, you may discover hidden dangers. Stairs, Windows & Doors • Child safety gates should be installed at the top and bottom of the stairs. • Safety gates at the top of the stairs MUST be bolted to the wall. • Install approved (CSA) window guards to prevent the window from opening more than 10 centimetres. • Move all beds, and furniture away from windows and stairwells. • Do not let children play on patios & balconies. • Children do not know that a window screen will not hold them inside. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS Fall Prevention • Falls are the leading cause of injuries in children 0-4 years of age. • Falling off of furniture, climbing on stairs and learning to walk are common causes. • A baby's first fall is usually from a sofa. • On furniture such as change tables, always keep one hand on your child. Never leave your child unattended. • Use all safety features on baby items such as belt and buckles. PO I SO N Poison Prevention • The Poison Control Centre at Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital responds to over 26,000 calls for children under the age of 6 that are poisoned each year. • The most common age for exposure to poison is 2 years old. • Approximately 40% of poisons occur in the kitchen and 20% in the bathroom. • Keep all poisonous products locked up and/or out of reach of children. • Know your house and garden plants, many are poisonous. Prevention of Suffocation & Drowning • Plastic bags and balloons pose a serious risk. • Do not use blinds or curtains with long looped cords. • Hide or bundle all computer and electronic wiring. • Control access to all pools, ponds and bathtubs. • All rooms in your house including the garage may have poisonous items. • Oil or petroleum based products are very dangerous. • Never take medication in front of your children. They love to imitate. • Remind grandparents and caregivers to remove potential risk items from reach when children are visiting. • Always wear lifejackets. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS Prevention of Burns & Scalds • Burns and scalds are the third leading cause of injury in children age newborn to 4 years. Twenty-Five (25%) of patients admitted to burn units are from this age group. • Children’s skin is very sensitive and burns easily; often it will burn in less than 5 seconds. • Spilled hot drinks such as coffee and tea are the leading causes of emergency room visits. • Use a travel style mug with lid and keep hot liquids out of reach of children. • Scalds from tap water 140°F (60°C) or higher are common and serious. • Turn the water heater temperature to 130°F (55°C). • Fire places both wood and gas (pilot), small appliances such as toasters, irons. • Large appliances such as stoves, dishwashers and barbeques are also common sources of burns. Keep barriers around appliances that produce heat. SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Reducing The Risk • Put infants to sleep on their back. • Remove all toys, pillows, and bumper pads from the crib. • Use a firm mattress that fits snugly in the crib. • The baby should be warm but not hot; one blanket should be enough for the baby. • The baby should never be exposed to second hand smoke. • Never leave your child unattended, active supervision is the key. PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS Preventing Environmental Injuries • In Canada temperatures may range from minus 40° to plus 40° Celsius. • The key to preventing injuries caused by exposure is wearing the proper clothing: - Boots, hats, gloves, winter coats and snowsuits are appropriate in winter. - Sandals, shorts, skirts, hats, light weight shirts, sun dresses in summer. • Active supervision and limited exposure is the key to preventing injuries. • It is both unsafe and illegal to leave a child unattended in a car. Frostbite Prevention • Frost bitten areas appear cold, and waxy in appearance. The person may have a numb feeling to the affected areas. Preventing Heat Stroke / Heat Exhaustion • Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion occur when people are over exposed to hot temperatures • The most common sites of frostbite are fingers, toes, and ears. • The person may appear to be hot, flushed or pale. • Avoid overexposure of dry cold temperatures below zero. • They may complain of headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting. • Proper clothing prevention. is the key to • Hats prevent heat loss, while winter mitts and boots protect extremities. • Avoid over exposure and appropriately for the weather. dress • Drink water frequently. n PEEL REGIONAL PARAMEDICS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Personal Emergency Preparedness What YOU can do to prepare for an emergency CITY OF BRAMPTON EMERGENCY MEASURES OFFICE Understand the RISKS in Bram What is Risk? • The chance of injury or loss Understand your area: Look for Risks n WORK SCHOOL HOME RISKS in Brampton DISEASE OUTBREAK RISKS in Brampton SEVERE WEATHER FIRE FROM LIGHTNING ICE STORM FLOODING EXTREME COLD EXTREME WIND RISKS in Brampton TRANSPORTATION ACCIDENTS AIR ROAD 1970 AC621 RAIL RISKS in Brampton HAZARDOUS MATERIAL ACCIDENTS CAN CAUSE: DANGEROUS CHEMICAL SPILLS CAN CAUSE: FIRES Prevention • • • • Fire Prevention Disease Prevention Accident Prevention Security and Safety Mitigation Escape Plan for your home Personal and Home Insurance Mitigation: What can YOU NO LEAKY ROOFS Insulate or weatherproof your home Have the right Alarm Systems Have fire extinguishers in your home and car Preparedness Seven-Day Emergency Kits: • Food and Water • First Aid Supplies • Portable Radio, Flashlight and spare batteries • Disposable plates, utensils • Cash • Copies of Important Documents (passports, birth certificates, drivers license) Preparedness for your Fam Make sure everyone knows: • Out-of-Town Contact • Contact information for family and friends • Family Meeting Place • Has a Phone Card Family Meeting Place For more information Ask Questions! Brampton Emergency Measures Office (905) 874 – 2911 beminfo@brampton.ca www.brampton.ca/prepared @bemoprepared