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Water Safety Week: Watch your kids! #WaterSafetyChat @redcrosscanada

June 8, 2015 by Wendy S

Every year, approximately 520 Canadians die needlessly in unintentional water-related fatalities.

A high percentage of these preventable water-related fatalities consist of young children, almost always due to lack of or adequate supervision.

Safety is in my blood. My mother and my aunt were lifeguards and swimming instructors and I was a lifeguard and swimming instructor. I am now a car seat technician and hold my First Aid, CPR and AED certification. Safety is important to me.

When Red Cross of Canada approached me and asked if I would help spread the word about Water Safety Week, it was a not brainer!

Water can be fun! But water is also very dangerous!

Watch your kids!

If you are near water, a pool or beach, don’t take your eyes off your kids.

I don’t care how well they can swim.

It only takes a second for something to happen, your kid goes underwater and then doesn’t come back up.

Yes, it’s horrible to say. Yes, it’s scary. But if I got your attention, then…good!

Active supervision

The absence of adult supervision is a factor in most child drowning’s.
Whether it’s a pool, the bathtub, a water park, or the beach, always watch children actively around water-even if they can swim.
Consider requiring all non-swimmers to wear a lifejacket to keep them at the surface to assist you while supervising.

Backyard pools

Backyard pools are especially dangerous for small children. Ensure adequate barriers are in place such as four-sided fencing along with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
Empty portable toddler pools after each use.

Bathing children

When bathing infants or toddlers, an adult should remain with the child at all times- children should never be relied upon to supervise other children in the bath.
When a child is in the bathtub, never leave to answer the phone or for any other momentary distraction.

Take swimming lessons!

Another great way to increase safety around water, is to learn how to swim.

Red Cross Canada has put together a great page for Water Safety week with lots of information about swimming lessons and staying safe around water!

Anyone can learn!

When Craig and I got engaged, my parents were very supportive! But the one thing that my mom asked of Craig was that he learn how to swim. The reason that my mom and my aunt became lifeguards and swimming instructors was that my grandfather required his children to learn how to swim. His college roommate had drowned. Water safety was very important to him and therefore, was very important to our family. Craig, at the age of 29, took swimming lessons for the first time.

Join us for a Water Safety Week Twitter Chat!

Date: Thursday, June 11, 2015

Time: 10:30 a.m. until noon

Host: @RedCrossTalk

Topic: Q&A/chat on water safety with a focus on children

Hashtag: #WaterSafetyChat

*Statistics are based on ongoing surveillance of data surrounding unintentional water-related fatalities. The data has been compiled by the Canadian Red Cross from coroner’s offices for the period of 1991-2012, the most current in the database.

Cleaning your dryer and dryer vent is so important!

August 27, 2014 by Wendy S

Last week as we were trying to get ready to go camping, the dryer started to smell like it was burning. It was very noticeable every time I opened the door.

After seeing several stories in the news about house fires caused by the dryer, I didn’t want to risk it.

I finished the last few loads of laundry at the laundromat, and called a dryer repair guy.

Steve from Cascade Appliance Service came to figure out what was going on.

Lint and dust everywhere!

Once he took the front cover off, it was evident why there was a burning smell. Dust and lint was all over the place, even on the heating element. Oi!

The air couldn’t circulate properly because of a build up of lint on the fan.

He cleaned up all of the dust that was inside the dryer.

Air flow is key!

After he put it all back together, we went outside to where it vents outside. The air flow wasn’t very strong. He recommended replacing the dryer hose and outside vent cover. He would have done it, but due to the [ridiculous] location of our dryer [due to the previous owners of the house], he didn’t have anything long enough with him.

Off to Home Depot!

I headed off to Home Depot to pick up a new hose and a new vent cover.

Out with the old dryer vent…

…back to Home Depot…

Not fun.

Look at all the lint!!

After taking that apart, cleaning it, and putting it back together, I’ve come to the conclusion that that has to be fixed properly. We definitely don’t need all of those bends. There used to be an air conditioner there, but it was relocated to the other side of the house.

More lint inside!

…in with the new!

3 hours + 2 trips to Home Depot = Success!

Once I got the new hose hooked up, I tested the dryer.

No more burning smell!!

And when I went outside, the air was flowing out the vent so much faster!

Don’t wait!

The biggest mistake we made was not cleaning this sooner. The manual for the dryer says it should be done every 2 years. I think that since we have a dog, that maybe a bit sooner than that might be a good thing. Our dryer is 8 years old and we had never cleaned it. We’re pretty lucky that we didn’t have a fire.

After watching the dryer guy go through the cleaning process, I’m pretty confident that I can do the cleaning part myself next time. Oh, and he reminded me that that I need to unplug it first!

Should change my name to Safety Girl (but it is already taken) #safety

July 24, 2014 by Wendy S

Over the last few months, I’ve noticed a trend in some of the things I’ve been doing: Safety!

My name is Wendy. I’m trained in _____ . Can I help you?

I’m the type of person who loves helping other people. When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher. Once I got to university, I ended up becoming a cartographer. Which I love! My teaching and helping other people isn’t in a formal teaching position, but in many other ways.

Former Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor

Starting when I was 17, I worked as a Life Guard and Swimming instructor for several years. It was a great job! This led me to become a camp councillor and lifeguard at several summer camps.

Children’s Restraint System Technician (CRST) aka Car Seat Tech

Since 2008, I have been helping parents keep their children safe. I joke that I’m saving lives, one car seat at a time. But it’s true. With a misuse rate of over 80%, parents need help getting their car seats installed properly and need tips and suggestions as to how to use the seats properly.

Initially I was trained with St. John’s Ambulance, but have recently certified with Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada (CPSAC).

I have written many blog posts about car seat safety with the hope that I can reach as many parents as possible.

Certified Joint Health and Safety Committee Member

Last year, I became a Certified member of the Health and Safety Committee at my office.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires my workplace to have a Joint Health and Safety Committee consisting of worker and employer members. We do regular building inspections to look for potential hazards, and make recommendations to our employer for ways that safety could be improved.

In an office building, the hazards are less than those working out on a construction site, but it is still very important that my fellow employees and I are safe. The most common safety hazard in an office, is probably ergonomic issues. Too many people are sitting at their computers incorrectly and over time, that will cause injuries.

First Aid, CPR and AED Certification

Earlier this week, I got my First Aid, CPR and AED certification again. I had done it a few years ago and it had expired. It was good to know that I was still confident in my abilities and aced the test!

At one point in my life, I event tossed around the idea of being an EMT. I might have been good at it!

Safety overload

There are times when having all of this knowledge is trouble some. I don’t shut my “safety” switch off very well. I can’t go by a vehicle with car seats in it and not take a look to see how the seat is installed. If someone is coughing, I pause to make sure they are ok. When I see hazards (even outside my office), I’ll notice. One of the hard things is knowing when to step in and help or when to back off because people aren’t going to be receptive to my help.

Knowledge is power

I might not be a teacher by profession, but I sure have found other ways to help people. And I love that I can!

child restraint installation tips

December 22, 2008 by Wendy S

After hearing too many horror stories of children being hurt during a collision, I have to try to get more information out there about child car seats and how to properly install them. I became a Child Restraint Technician because I want to help people keep their children safe.

There are many places that do car seat checks, please find one in your local area. If you have trouble finding one, please contact me and I’ll do my best to help you!

Car seat installation tips

Always read the manual that came with the car seat and the vehicle that it is being installed in.
Always have the proper child seat for the height and weight of your child — See this site for Ontario information
You can use either the LATCH or the vehicle’s seat belt — use the one that give you the tightest fit
The car seat should not be able to move more than 1 inch side to side
Put your weight in the car seat when installing it (kneel in the seat) — this will push the seat into the passenger seat
Always check the car seat every time you put your child in – you can never be too careful
As it is winter time, try not to put bulky winter coats on the children as this causes the seat straps to not be tight enough (during a collision the amount of pressure applied will compress a snow suit and make the straps really loose) – even though you think the seat belt straps are tight enough, they’re not.
This also applies to 3^rd party “cuddle bags” for infant seats – do not put anything behind your child between them and the car seat. The ones that just go over the car seat are much safer. (read about compression above)

Rear-facing infant seats

All provincial rules vary, please check your laws
MUST BE AT 45 DEGREES (and don’t assume that the leveler on the side of the seat or base is correct – they are not always accurate) – the 45 degree angle helps baby to keep their head back and able to breath. If your babies head falls forward and looks uncomfortable, there’s a good change that your seat is not at 45 degrees
Straps in the car seat must be at or below the infants shoulders
You must be able to get no more than one finger width between the strap and your infant’s collar bone
The chest clip must be at their arm pits
Read your car seat’s owner’s manual to see if the carrying handle can be left up (most cannot) – it is recommended to always put the handle down as if it was to break during a collision it would be projectile aimed right at your child’s face

Rear facing child seats

All provincial rules vary, please check your laws
it is recommended to leave children rear facing as long as possible. — at minimum, children must remain rear facing until they are over 20lbs and are at least one year old (every location is a little different, please check with your provincial or state laws)
MUST BE AT 45 DEGREES (and don’t assume that the leveler on the side of the seat or base is correct – they are not always accurate) – the 45 degree angle helps baby to keep their head back and able to breath. If your babies head falls forward and looks uncomfortable, there’s a good change that your seat is not at 45 degrees
The chest clip must be at their arm pits
Straps in the car seat must be at or below the infants shoulders
You must be able to get no more than one finger width between the strap and your infant’s collar bone

Forward facing child seats (with 5pt harness) (20 – 40 lbs minimum)

All provincial rules vary, please check your laws
Must be secured with the LATCH or passenger seat belt AND the tether (please make sure you read your owners manual for your vehicle to know the proper attachment of the tether)
The tether must be very tight as this is what hold the car seat back during a collision
Child seat straps must be at or above your child’s shoulders
You must be able to get no more than one finger width between the strap and your child’s collar bone
The chest clip must be at their arm pits
Please read about winter coats above

Booster seats (over 40lbs and over 40″)

Ontario law states that the child must be over 40lbs AND over 40″ tall
keep in mind the child’s ability to stay properly seated in a booster; there are many seats on the market now that allow for a higher weight in a 5-point harness
Place booster on the seat (no “installation” is required – no LATCH or tether)
Child wears the car’s passenger seat belt just like you do
shoulder strap need to sit across the collarbone and across the chest
lap belt needs to rest across the hips, not the tummy

This list is just the beginning. If you are a car seat tech and would like to help me with this let, just let me know. I want it to be as accurate as possible.

*updated on May 4, 2010