The warm, sunny days of spring invite us to go outside.
Playgrounds fill, bikes are dusted off, and road hockey games are happening in every neighborhood. I love the feeling of freedom that spring brings. As much as I enjoy winter activities, by the time the snow begins to melt, I am eager to hike in the woods on a warm dirt path rather than a frozen one!
This is what I'm thinking as I read the newly released Chief Medical Health Officer's Health Status Report on Child Health by Northern Health's Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Sandra Allison. Reading the report, I see my family reflected as part of the larger northern community: "Living in the North," the report finds, "presents both amazing opportunities and complex challenges for children and families." We have the great resource of wide open spaces along with some unique obstacles that we face as a region. As a Northerner, I do feel connected to my environment and the opportunity that each season presents. I think of my kids, who particularly like counting the worms we come across in our garden!
With these new spring activities starting up again comes the risk of kids being injured as they explore the season. Falls from learning to ride a bike, an inviting lake that is too enticing to ignore, and the start of a new sport all have the potential of injury for a child. My family, like all families, works hard to keep everyone safe but the risk of injury is still present. Injuries are predictable and preventable. In my family, for example, we spend a lot of time teaching our children the rules of the road while cycling.
Help us all keep our kids safe
From May 30 - June 5, Parachute Canada is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Safe Kids Week. This celebration brings awareness to the risk of injury in childhood. Parachute's Safe Kids Week will highlight ways to keep our kids safe:
- At home (looking to prevent burns, poisoning, falls, and water injuries)
- At play (looking to prevent concussions and sports & recreation injuries)
- On the road (safety on bicycles, in motor vehicles, and as pedestrians)
Did you know that in Northern Health's region, the leading causes of injury for children and youth are motor vehicle crashes and falls? As a mother of two, this is not just a statistic, but a reminder of the preventable risks to my own family. It's also a call to action. Join me in celebrating Safe Kids Week in the North. Take some time to check out Parachute Canada's Safe Kids Week 2016 website and create a way to get involved in your community.
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