Every hour of every day, 47 British Columbians suffer a preventable injury
Poisoning is the leading cause of preventable death in British Columbians between the ages of 25 and 54. Approximately 33% of drownings in children between the ages of 1 and 4 happen in bathtubs. Each year, falls result in some 200,000 days in the hospital.
The statistics are endless. The causes seem to be as well. Yet, the real cause of preventable injuries and death can be our mindset. We think injuries happen to other people. We think there’s no harm in taking risks here and there. We think nothing can happen. But one moment of “I wasn’t thinking” can have a lifetime of consequences. Thankfully, once we change our attitude, a change in behaviour naturally follows.
Helpful Resources
Injuries can happen to anyone, even you. Try to get into the habit of thinking about the consequences of your behaviour rather than the rewards. Before you make a quick call while driving or leave your child alone for a moment, think about the worst that can happen. Also, please visit the following links. The information will help you find ways to enjoy an injury-free life.
Drowning (bathtub/pool)
BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit – Drowning Injury Prevention
Red Cross Canada – Water Safety Facts
Safe Kids Canada – Bath seats and bath rings
Safe Kids Canada – Backyard pool drowning
Interview: Liana Thompson Drowning Prevention
Poisoning
Check out this video of Derek Daws from the BC Drug & Poison Information Centre, discussing poisoning prevention
BC Drug and Poison Information Centre
BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit – Poisoning Injury Prevention
Safe Start – Safety Tips to Prevent Poisoning
Health Canada – Household Chemical Products
HealthLinkBC – Poisoning Prevention
BC Furnace and Air Conditioning Ltd. – Do you know about CO?
Falls (window bars, stairs, cribs, playing, ladder, home playgrounds)
WorkSafeBC – Ladder Safety Video
WorkSafeBC – You’re a Pro: Falls from Ladders Video
Safe Kids Canada – Home playground equipment
Safe Kids Canada – Protect your child from window falls
BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit – Seniors falls prevention
Health Canada – Inventory of Canadian rograms for the prevention of falls among seniors living in the community
HealthLinkBC – Preventing falls at home
Burns & Scalds (water temp, hot liquid/cooking, electrical)
Check out this video of Heather Wilson, a firefighter, discussing burn prevention
BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund – Burn Education and Prevention
Safe Start – Hot water burns like fire
Safe Kids Canada – How to lower your hot water temperature
Choking/Suffocation (cribs, smoke inhalation, food)
Safe Kids Canada – Window blinds or curtain cords = DANGER
Safe Start – Choking Prevention
BC Safety Authority – Carbon Monoxide Safety – the silent killer
BC Furnace & Air Conditioning Ltd – Do you know about CO?
BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit – Suffocation and choking injury prevention
Fire (smoke alarms, fireplace, bbq)
BC Safety Authority – Barbeque Safety
BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund – Fire Safety Tips for your family
Safe Kids Canada – Flame Burns
Health Canada – Utility lighters are dangerous in the hands of children
Canada Safety Council – Home Fire Escape Plan
Insurance Bureau of Canada – How to prevent fire in your home