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Child Safety

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toddler reaching through baby gate at the top of stairs

Preventable injuries are the number one cause of death for children. Explore these resources about common child safety hazards, babyproofing, and how to prevent babies from safety risks and injuries.

  • Injury topics information from Parachute Canada (e.g., burns and scalds, drowning, poisoning, choking, playground safety, winter safety)
  • Prevent Child Injury website
  • Child safety information and information about children on the farm from the Canadian Safety Council
  • For Families – Ontario Poison Centre
  • Sun safety
  • Concussions
  • Give your child a safe start video series (used with permission from Middlesex-London Health Unit)

Product safety and recalls

Injuries from the products you buy can be serious and sometimes fatal. Health Canada provides current information about products recalls and safety alerts. The Government of Canada also provides more specific information and tips about:

  • Baby sling and carrier safety
  • Batteries and magnets
  • Cribs, cradles and bassinets
  • Playpens
  • Safety gates
  • Stroller and carriage safety
  • Suspended baby jumpers
  • Toy safety tips
  • Window covering safety

Car seat safety

Always follow car seat laws and regulations and make sure car seats are installed properly. Remember to read the instructions from the manufacturer and the child restraint section in your car owner’s manual. Download our Car Seat and Booster Seat pamphlet to learn more.

Southwestern Public Health does not conduct car seat clinics or safety checks. Learn about child car seat safety from Transport Canada, including choosing and installing a child car seat or booster seat, recall notices and safety information. You can also visit the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada website to learn more or find a local technician for support.

 Car seat laws for children
By law, children under the age of eight must be restrained in an appropriate car seat or booster seat based on their weight and height. If a child eight or older does not meet the criteria to safely use a seatbelt, they should remain in a booster seat. It is illegal to use a car seat that was not purchased in Canada. 
 Register your car seat
It is important to register your car seat with the manufacturer so they can let you know if there is recall or public notice on your child’s car seat. As soon as you know the car seat works in your vehicle and is the correct size and stage for your child, send in your registration card (attached to the car seat) or register online.
 Four stages of child car seat use

It is safest to keep your child in each of these stages for as long as possible. Visit Choosing a car seat or booster seat from Transport Canada to find in-depth information on each of the four stages.

 Stage 1: Rear facing car seats

Make sure you have the right seat for your new baby. Get a car seat that is easy for you to use. Make sure it is the correct size for your baby and that it will fit into your vehicle properly.

 Stage 2: Forward-facing car seats

By law, children must use a forward-facing seat until they reach 40 lbs. However, it is safest to keep them in a forward-facing seat for as long as possible, until they reach the weight/height limit of the seat.

 Stage 3: Booster seats
 
 Stage 4: Seatbelts
 

By law, children must use a booster seat until they reach the weight/height limit of the booster seat and:

  • They are 9-12 years old
  • They are at least 4’9” or have a sitting height of 29”
  • They can sit back against the vehicle seat with knees bent at the edge of the seat and their feet flat on the floor
  • The lap belt rests across the upper thighs and does not ride up on the stomach
  • The shoulder belt goes across the chest bone and the middle of the shoulder, not across the neck or behind the back
  • The child can stay seated like this for the whole trip

Child safety resources for professionals

The Loop Junior Fall Prevention Community of Practice is a communication platform that provides education, training and evidence-based resources and information to professionals who work with children and parents.

Parachute Canada has developed injury prevention training resources for professionals including the areas of child safety and concussion recognition and management.

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Know & Grow logo  Call our Know & Grow Line

Speak to a Public Health Nurse to get the answers to all the questions you never knew you had.

  • In Oxford County, call the Know & Grow Line at 519-421-9901 x 3473
  • In Elgin County, call the Know & Grow Line at 519-631-9900 x 1400
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