Outdoor Safety

Fresh air, sunlight, nature - the great outdoors can help children grow and develop physically, socially, and emotionally. But there are some dangers that can be very serious and even fatal. Drowning, accidents, dog bites, sunburns, frostbite - be sure you're aware of and minimize the dangers.

Playground Safety

Playgrounds can provide a stimulating environment for a healthy, active living, and can be a contributing factor in your child's development. Most playground injuries such as cuts, bruises, and sprains, are minor, but some can be quite serious. Falls account for almost 3/4 of all playground injuries, and in Manitoba, are the leading cause of hospitalization in children aged 5 to 14. Here are some things parents and caregivers can do, to enhance the safety of their child at the playground:

• Encourage your child to wear protective and reflective equipment when walking, biking, or inline skating. This includes helmets for wheeled activities on the road and sidewalk, and wrist guards for inline skating
• Supervise your child closely
• Ensure that your child knows how to use the playground equipment safely. If your child needs help to get onto it, it is probably meant for older children.
• Teach your child the basic playground safety rules, such as, waiting for their turn, and sharing the playground appropriately with other children, and so on
• Parents can check the playground equipment to make sure it has sturdy handrails, barriers, and railings
• Teach your child to check for any sharp equipment or objects that could cause injuries, before they begin playing

You may read more information on how to keep your children safe at the playground by clicking on the following links: 

• Playground Safety (caring for kids)
• Playing it safe (WRHA)

General

• Bicycle Safety: Help Your Kids Have a Safe Summer Ride - Bike riding is a terrific activity for children and a great opportunity for families to be active together. It's fun, it gets us outdoors, and it builds strong, healthy bodies.
• Bike Safety & Helmet Information
• Bear Safety Tips
• Children on the Farm (Canada Safety Council)
• Drowning Prevention
• Firearm Safety - Many Canadian youth are injured or killed by guns each year.
• Flood Stress Information - When floods threaten individuals, families and communities, it's normal to experience strong emotions. The stress of losing a home or treasured possessions can take a serious toll.
• Healthy Pets, Healthy People - How to avoid the diseases that pets can spread to people.
• Injury Prevention - Follow this link for information about how to prevent common childhood injuries.
• Pedestrian Safety - Teaching your Children
• Watch for School Children

Spring/Summer

• Beach Safety Program - To promote safety on our beaches, Manitoba Parks has instituted a Beach Safety Program to help you and your family enjoy Manitoba's waterways as safely as possible
• Boating Safety - Click here for safety essentials to remember before heading out on the water with children
• Lifejackets & Personal Flotation Devices
• Backyard Pool Safety
• Drowning Prevention: Backyard Rivers, Lakes & Ponds
• Drowning Prevention: Playgrounds & Water Features
• Safety Around Open Water
• Garden Safety
• Insect Repellents for Children - How to combat bug bites.
• Sun Safety Guide - Sunburns and suntans are evidence of skin injury.
• Sunburn
• Sun: Protecting Your Child's Skin
• Tick Information: Identifying, Treating & Testing
• Lyme Disease Information
• Trampoline Safety - Using a trampoline is very risky for children and youth. They are not recommended for home use.

Fall Winter

• Frostbite - Skin can freeze in cold wind, rain or snow. Find out what you can do to prevent it.
• Halloween Safety
• Halloween Safety: Costumes, Decorations, Trick or Treating
• Ice Safety - Tips on how to keep safe on and around ice.
• Snowmobile Safety - Children younger than 16 should not operate snowmobiles. Find out how to use them properly.
• Tick Information: Identifying, Treating & Testing
• Winter Safety - Tips to help parents and children enjoy winter activities safely.
• Winter Weather Safety - Extreme cold temperatures can threaten personal safety. Find out what steps to take to have a safe winter.