Summer is a wonderful season to relax with our families and friends and take a break from our fast-paced lives. Summer, though, should not relax our safety sense.
As parents and caregivers, there is nothing better that we can do to ensure a happy vacation and summer season than to think safety first - and model the behaviors we want to instill in our children.
Splash pools and water features: Kids love water in the summer. Many of us install temporary splash or wading pools in the yard to help beat the heat. The main rule for these is never, ever leave a child unattended or solely under the supervision of an older child in or around any water. A toddler can drown in just a few inches of water. Let the phone ring — they'll call back. Or, use a cordless phone when you are in the yard with your family. Take the kids inside to help prepare a snack or drinks.
Consider other water sources in your yard — rain barrels, ponds, and decorative water features. Are they covered securely?
Barbecues: Maintain your gas and propane barbecues, and keep them clean and in good working condition. Check the expiry date on your propane tank and don't use any tank that is outdated. Place the barbecue well away from your house, fence, trees or other combustible materials.
If you use a charcoal briquette barbecue, never use gasoline to start or rekindle a fire; use only barbecue starter. Make sure the coals are completely out and dispose of them in a non-flammable container — not with your household garbage. Warm embers can ignite other combustible materials. Never leave briquette barbecues unattended.
Fire pits: Open fires for cooking or recreational purposes must be confined within a non-combustible receptacle (for example, enclosed within the centre of shaped concrete fire pit blocks) unless a permit is obtained from the Fire Marshal.
The fire must be at least one metre from any building, fence or other structure or any property line and not located beneath any trees, branches or overhead wires or lines. Keep the fire to a reasonable size so that the fire, or any embers, sparks or smoke emanating from it doesn't endanger anyone else or their property.
The fire must only burn clean and dry combustible materials. Exercise your reason when using a fire pit and be mindful of the weather, environmental conditions, and your neighbors, when using an open fire.
The same rule stands: never leave fires unattended, even for a few moments. Teach your children. Your family members will see the comfort and enjoyment of fire through barbecues, fire pits, back-yard candle lanterns and campfires.
They have to understand that fire is not a child's toy — but a serious threat to their own safety and those of others if not treated with the utmost care and attention. Keep your matches and lighters well out of younger children's reaches, and remember they are watching how you use fire. Be an excellent role model. Have a wonderful and safe summer.
Wayne is the former Chief of the Calgary Fire Department. Please feel free to contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 221-3641 for information and assistance. You can also visit their web site at www.gov.calgary.ab.ca/fire for other child safety ideas.
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