safety

Tips to Ride an ATV Safely

Now that the warm weather is here, there are so many outdoor activities to try like ATV riding. ATVs and other off-road vehicles (ORVs) can be a lot of fun, but there are rules to follow to ensure safe driving. ATVs do not have the same amount of safety features that other vehicles have so it is important to be aware of this.

ATVs, much like other motor vehicles, present their own set of risks. Driving an ATV is a very different experience than driving a car so it is imperative that you have the right experience for this type of vehicle. Depending on the type of ATV you have, some ATVs can reach highway speeds. However, ATVs are not built with the same safety features as cars and other motor vehicles like seat belts, crumple zones and airbags. All of these risks should be considered before you begin riding your ATV.

5 Safety Tips for ATVs and RVs

Follow local laws for ATVs or Off-Road Vehicles

Before you hit the road, it is important that you understand your province’s ATV or Off-Road Vehicle laws. It will cover everything you need to know including where you can ride and tips on how to ride safely.

Your ATV is not a toy

ATVs can be a lot of fun, but it is crucial to take the necessary precautions to prevent any potential injuries. ATV/ORV safety should be taken seriously to prevent any potential accidents.

Safety gear is important

One of the best ways to stay safe while riding an ATV is wearing the right safety equipment. Some of this safety gear includes helmets, goggles, long shirts and pants, and boots. Wearing the right safety gear will help to protect you if you get into an accident.

Maintain your ATV on a regular basis

There is nothing more important than staying on top of your ATV maintenance. Regularly maintaining your ATV is crucial in preventing breakdowns and avoiding potential accidents.

Steps to Take After an ATV Accident

If you have been in a collision or car accident, the steps you take afterwards are critical. Getting in touch with a personal injury lawyer that specializes in ATV accidents will help you determine if you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries.

Practicing ATV safety is essential to ensure a fun and enjoyable riding experience. By following these ATV safety tips, including wearing appropriate protective gear, maintaining the ATV properly, and avoiding dangerous riding behaviors, riders can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. It is crucial to always prioritize safety while riding an ATV to prevent potential harm to oneself and others.

To learn more about ATV safety tips, contact Dye & Russell. Whether you have questions about slip and falls, car accidents or trauma, we can answer any questions or concerns you may have about staying safe on the road.

May 25, 2023 Uncategorized

Spring in to Cycling Season

One of the more popular past times when the weather starts to get nicer is cycling. Now that Spring has finally sprung, you can expect to see an increase in the number of people spending time outdoors. Cycling is a great way to stay healthy, remain active and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Among all the benefits cycling has to offer, there are also a number of risks. Here are our tips on how to stay safe as you kick off this cycle season.

Check your bike

Its been a while since your bike has seen the outdoors. Make sure you give it a once over before you take it out for the first ride of the season. Check for things such as tire pressure and whether the tire spokes are secure and undamaged. Do your brakes work? What about the chain, has it rusted? Determine what, if any, issues you have and what your next step is. Can you fix it yourself, or do you need to call a repair shop? If you are unsure, bring it in to a bike shop just in case.

Safety equipment

Hitting the road again after a long winter can be a bit nerve wracking. Taking things slow and following the proper steps to being safe on the road can help prevent injury later. We can argue that a helmet is the most important piece of equipment for a cyclist. It can help prevent against concussions and even brain injury. Other preventative safety measures can include adding reflectors and lights to your bike and wearing bright clothes. Keeping yourself visible is the key.

Hit the Road

At last, the time has finally come. Your bike has been through its version of spring cleaning and you are ready to go. Make sure you check both ways before you cross the street, brush up on your hand signals, and be careful around areas that can become slippery and dangerous when wet (e.g., wood, painted brick).

Even if you and your children are practicing safe cycling, sometimes you can still be injured by others. If you or someone you love has been injured by another party’s negligence while cycling we can help with their recovery journey

April 14, 2023 Road Safety

Preventing Slips and Falls at Work

While slips and falls can be a pretty common occurrence they can be much more dangerous than you think. When we were children tumbling and springing right back up was a regular occurrence but as we get older slips and falls can pose a serious danger to our health and well-being.

According to Statistics Canada falls are a leading cause of injury in Canada. They go on to say “About 63% of seniors and one-half of adolescents were injured in falls, as were 35% of working-age adults.”

Among working-age adults, the most common location of injury is the workplace.

Everyone should feel safe in their workplace, and employers should try to help employees feel safe. Keeping health and safety as a main priority at work is crucial for everyone to keep coming back to work healthy and safe.

Not to mention, maintaining a safe work environment not only protects employees but it helps protect employers and any customers that may be on company property. To make your business a safe place the Canadian Safety Council has created tips to help you prevent slips and falls at your place of work.

Safe floors

Treating the floors at your workplace with a non-slip treatment can help create a safer walking surface for employers, employees and customers alike. Floors that you should consider applying a non-slip treatment to are surfaces that can naturally become very slippery like tiles or polished untreated concrete. Also, if your workplace has high-traffic areas where people are travelling from indoors to outdoors there is great potential in those areas for falls. The tracking in of water from snowy boots or muddy/wet shoes can make for slippery high-traffic areas.

Busy kitchens or other high-traffic areas where employees work with oils can lead to a settling and collection of oils on the floor. A non-slip treatment to act against falls in both slippery high-traffic areas and places where oils can potentially settle on the ground would be a great help. But it doesn’t end there. It’s vital that floors be cleaned regularly and that clutter is removed in order to prevent slip and fall injuries.

Safe shoes

While it’s likely you can’t really control the shoes worn by customers on your property, you can control what you and your employees wear on your feet. What shoes you wear can make all the difference in preventing a slip and fall accident.

If special shoes are required for the job that is done in your workplace, consult the supplier you order your shoes from to determine the best shoes for the floor surfaces you work on. Encourage employers, employees and customers to wear shoes that will grip well on the floors in your workplace.

Shoes that often lead to slip and falls are heels, cleats and smooth-soled shoes.

The Government of Ontario also suggests the below administrative controls to help reduce the likelihood and frequency of slip, trip and fall accidents.

“provide wet floor signage
train workers to prevent slips, trips and falls
establish safe work practices
communicate a procedure for reporting hazards
ensure prompt maintenance
design jobs to minimize tasks requiring excessive pushing/pulling, line-of-sight obstruction and over-reaching
ensure shovels, mops and buckets are readily available
correct poor work practices
conduct joint health and safety committee monthly inspections
review slip, trip and fall incidents”

While you can take precautions to be safe in the workplace sometimes a slip and fall can still occur and leave you seriously injured. If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, give Dye & Russell a call. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

December 15, 2022 Liability Claims, Safety, Spinal Cord Injuries, Uncategorized

5 Road Safety Tips

Fall is an exciting time of the year. The leaves are changing colours, the air is getting cooler and the idea of wrapping up in a blanket with a warm beverage is too good to resist. There are pumpkin patches to visit, apples to pick and piles of leaves to jump in.

Going for a car ride to admire the beautiful colours and scenery Ontario has to offer is a great way to spend time with your family outside of your home in a safe environment. While these mini-road trips can induce a sense of freedom and possibility, they can also pose a serious risk when drivers fail to navigate the roads safely.

So, before you embark upon your next adventure, ensure that you’re aware of these safety precautions that must be taken to ensure a safe arrival at your destination:

Plan Ahead

First and foremost, it’s crucial to map out your route before you sit down in your vehicle. In doing so, you will learn ahead of time if you will be encountering any obstacles such as construction zones. In addition, planning ahead gives drivers the confidence of knowing how long the drive will take, so they can plan accordingly and avoid rushing through traffic to make it to their destination on time.

Double Check Items in Tow

It’s imperative that if you are towing a trailer, a boat, or any other item behind your vehicle, you ensure that it is secured properly. If it’s a trailer, double-check that the lights on it are working, so that the traffic following behind you can see if you are about to pull over or turn. Furthermore, confirm that the trailer tires are in good shape, to avoid any potentially dangerous accidents on the highway.

Avoid Distracted Driving

The digital age has created the pressing issue of smartphone addiction. If you’re operating a vehicle, you should comply with a strict “no cell phone” rule, to avoid any temptation to check your phone. Distracted driving is a highly dangerous plague to the safety of drivers everywhere.

Luckily, Ontario law now deems it illegal for drivers to use their phones for communication purposes while on the road. Still, not everyone adheres to these laws, and those who use their cell phone behind the wheel are four times more likely to crash than those who focus on driving. Not only do you amplify the risk of causing your passengers harm by checking your phone, you further put the safety of surrounding vehicles in jeopardy.

However, if you’re on the road and desperately need to make a call, you are permitted to do so using Bluetooth technology and the hands-free function on your phone.

Practice Defensive Driving

Defensive driving entails driving with the sole intent of avoiding a collision. This may mean remaining even-tempered when faced with aggressive drivers, maintaining a comfortable speed, and a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles. By having patience and practicing defensive driving, you limit the risk of injuring yourself, your passengers, and the people in surrounding vehicles.

Stay Focused

If your trips Point A is a considerable distance from its Point B, you’re going to need to ensure that you get the rest you require to avoid a fatigue-related collision. You should not allow the excitement and anticipation of reaching your destination to impair your judgment of when it’s time to take a break from driving. Furthermore, be sure to make frequent stops at gas stations, even if you don’t need to purchase anything so that you can stretch and increase your alertness and blood circulation.

By taking these safety precautions on your road trip, you’ll dramatically lower your risk of getting into an accident on your journey. However, if you have been injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you may be able to receive compensation for the damages you faced. Contact us to book your free consultation.

September 15, 2022 Driving, Road Safety, Safety

11 Ways to Manage Your Chronic Pain

If there is one thing that makes day-to-day activities or tasks more difficult, it is chronic pain. That constant throbbing in your neck, sharp pains in your back or aching in your knees. So many people spend countless hours trying to relieve their pain or symptoms with no satisfaction. Common ailments linked to chronic pain can include injuries received in a motor vehicle accident, slip, trip or fall incidents or more severely as a result of a catastrophic or traumatic accident.

To give you a hand and to help bring you some relief, we are sharing WebMD’s list of 11 tips for living with chronic pain. Some of these you might be more familiar with, and some may be new, but everything is worth a try once.

Relax using Deep Breathing or Meditation Practices

When we are stressed, our muscles can become tense and tight. Practicing deep breathing or forms of meditation can reduce these symptoms and help you relax. Having a gentle massage or taking time to focus on clearing your mind are other ways to combat tension.

De-Stress

Did you know that feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger can increase the intensity of chronic pain? Learning to manage these types of emotions has been said to provide some relief. There are several ways that you can de-stress. For example, listening to calming music can uplift your mood or writing out your emotions in a journal.

Exercise

This is a popular way to deal with injuries. When you exercise your body naturally releases endorphins which help improve your mood. Exercise, in general, is good for your health, it keeps your blood pressure regular, and cholesterol levels normal and decreases risks for heart diseases. It also strengthens your muscles which, when strong, limit the chance of reinjuring yourself and reduces chronic pain symptoms.

Limit Alcohol Intake

When you deal with chronic pain, getting a night of proper restful sleep is next to impossible. Having a drink to take the edge off may seem like a good idea. However, unlike popular belief, alcohol can make sleep problems worse. Limiting how much you drink alcohol can help improve your quality of sleep.

Connect With Others

It is natural to associate with people who have similar traits to you or interests. Going to group meetings with others who have been in serious motor vehicle accidents or are now suffering from the side effects of others’ negligence keeps you from feeling alone. Connecting with people who are also suffering from the same or similar chronic injury or disease can evoke the same feelings of belonging. Others may also offer symptom relief methods or practices that you may not have tried.

Do Not Smoke

Reduced circulation levels are a known side effect of smoking. This can intensify any circulation conditions and further increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Track Pain Levels

Keeping your doctor informed about how you are feeling helps them provide the proper care. Between visits, track how you are feeling in a journal. Using a scale of 1 – 10 and listing out activities or things done that day can help pinpoint what triggers higher pain levels. Sharing this with your doctor can help in the management of chronic pain. This can also be useful if you have suffered an injury at work, such as a slip and fall, and need detailed documentation for medical appointments.

Try Biofeedback Therapy

This method of therapy is new to us. Biofeedback claims to allow you to control various body functions. Using sensors, you can “hear” or “see” different body functions. It is displayed on monitors as squiggly lines that you eventually learn to control these functions using your biological system.

Get a Massage

Quite possibly the most widely used form of stress and chronic pain relief. Massages alleviate the tension in your muscles and allow for complete relaxation. Those who suffer from back and or neck pain as a result of a slip and fall or motor vehicle accident find this method of relief a fantastic way to manage their symptoms.

Eat a well-balanced diet

Believe it or not, what you eat plays a part in how you feel. Eating a well-balanced diet keeps your digestive system running well, reduces the risk of heart disease and keeps your weight under control.

Get Distracted!

Get out and get your mind off things. Sitting around and thinking about your bad knee, cursing the sidewalk for causing you to slip and fall does not make things better, in fact, it does the opposite. Doing something you enjoy will take the focus off your pain and instead keep you preoccupied with the activity at hand.

If you experience chronic pain due to a motor vehicle accident, slip, trip or fall or other traumatic accident and are being treated unfairly, you might need legal assistance. Call Dye & Russell for a free claim assessment.

August 22, 2022 Cardiology, Driving, Liability Claims, Road Safety, Safety, Spinal Cord Injuries, Uncategorized

Park and Playground Safety

Time spent at the park allows children to socialize, get some exercise, and explore and engage with age-appropriate challenges in a supervised environment. Even with an adult supervising the fun, accidents can still happen– bruises, falls, scraped knees and elbows, and other risks and injuries are all possible on the playground. According to the Canadian Public Health Association, “An analysis of playground falls between 1994 and 2003 estimated that each year 2,500 children below 14 years of age were hospitalized for serious injuries. Of this total, 81% had suffered a fracture while 14% were admitted for a head injury…”. Teaching kids about the importance of playing safe and the rules of the playground is critical in avoiding injuries and maintaining fun. Here are some things you can do to ensure your child remains safe.

Remain Alert

Enjoying the carefree energy your child has is important to healthy growth and development, but it can be dampened by an injury that could have been avoided. As a parent or guardian, you are responsible for remaining aware of potential risks such as unsafe climbing or running, arguments on the playground, and any dangers in the environment. If you or your child has experienced an injury obtained at a park or playground you may be eligible for compensation. Contact the professionals at Dye & Russell for your free claim assessment today.

Look For Potential Risks

Even if you keep your eyes on your kids as much as possible, an accident can happen before you have time to react. Preparing before enjoying the many fun activities, like the slide and swings, take a look at the playground park area for any potential risks. The play equipment and play spaces must meet the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) requirements for safety. Shock-absorbing materials such as woodchips, synthetic shredded rubber or sand should be used for a safer and softer area to play in. All equipment should also be free of breakage or sharp and dangerous areas.

Glass, nails, bolts, or bottles are all things that can be left behind by careless people and have the potential to injure your child. Take a thorough look around before playing in the sand or grass in the park and playground area.

Proper Maintenance

If you believe there are safety issues with a playground reach out to your park’s local operator. An unsafe play area can be avoided with proper maintenance– if you or your child has been injured due to negligence, contacting a personal injury lawyer like the ones at Dye & Russell is the right step on the road to recovery.

Review The Rules

Go over the rules of the playground and ensure your child understands the risks that come with playing on any park structures. Make sure they stay or play in age-appropriate areas that are meant for them specifically.

Looking after your child’s safety while they run around and enjoy the excitement of park activities is a hard job, and sometimes an injury can happen. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident at a park or playground, contact the professionals at Dye & Russell today for your FREE Claim Assessment and more helpful resources.

Reach us toll-free at 1-877-883-6171 or visit us online to speak with a live agent. Your road to recovery is important to us.

June 15, 2022 Liability Claims, Safety, Uncategorized

Boating Safety Tips: What You Need To Know

The warmer months are here and that means enjoying the sun and summer activities. Boating is incredibly popular with things to do like tubbing, water skiing, fishing, or swimming out in the lake. These are all fun things to de-stress and enjoy this sunny season, but nevertheless, it is crucial to be aware of boat safety rules and regulations. According to the Canadian Red Cross there are over 125+ preventable boating-related fatalities that happen across Canada each year.

If you are your loved ones are planning on enjoying some time on a boat this summer, then here are some ways to prepare for the ride and minimize the risk of injury:

Make a Checklist

It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting out on a boat— having a thorough checklist to go over before taking off is a great way to be prepared for any possible emergencies out on the water.

Check the Weather

Take a look at the local weather forecast. The days leading up to your departure is crucial to ensuring you are aware of any possibly changes that could put you in danger. Avoid strong or rough winds, darkening clouds, temperature fluxes, or changes to the waves. Getting caught in a storm can result in serious injury to you or your passengers. If you find yourself in this position our lawyers at Dye & Russell know what to do to get you the compensation you deserve. Do not delay, contact us today if you have sustained injuries or damages on a boat in Ontario.

Develop a Float Plan

Inform a family member or marina staff of your contact information and emergency plan of action. Letting someone know this information along with trip destinations, the warning or help signals to be used, and your boats registration information can be critical in getting you to safety if an emergency occurs. Even the most experienced boaters can sustain injuries or be involved in accidents out on the water. Dye & Russell has the experience to help in your boating accident personal injury case.

Have your tools ready

There are many items that you need to have onboard to ensure everyone is safe while out on the water. Some items and equipment you will need but are not limited to:

Life jackets
First aid kit
Sunscreen
Food and water
Proper identification, licenses, boat documentation
Cellphone and wireless charging bank
Electrical tape
Emergency flashlight
Distress signals
Fire extinguisher
Extra fuel
Emergency paddles
Blankets

Wear A Life Jacket

Did you know the Red Cross reported that less than 50% of Canadians always wear their life jackets when boating? Life jackets are crucial in the prevention of accidental drownings and even help in preventing hypothermia when exposed to cold water conditions for too long.

Besides being a legal requirement, another reason to have life jackets on board is for individuals that may not know how to swim or are generally weak swimmers. In the event of an accident where flooding occurs and your boat begins taking on water, the risk of a slip and fall injury increases. Wearing a life jacket can save a life if someone were to slip and fall into the water or experience a head injury.

Exploring the many great lakes and waters that Canada has to offer is exciting but knowing proper boat safety is key in achieving an accident-free summer. There are many opportunities for injury with all of the different types of activities to enjoy in or on the water, knowing who to contact in the wake of an accident will reduce the stress and anxiety related to your injury.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, contact the professionals at Dye & Russell today for your FREE Claim Assessment and more helpful resources. Reach us toll free at 1-877-883-6171 or visit us online to speak with a live agent. Your road to recovery is important to us.

June 29, 2021 Uncategorized

Tips for Safe Winter Driving

Staying safe and following the rules of the road is always important. It becomes even more important during the winter months when roads and driving conditions are less than ideal.

It is during this time that our team at Dye and Russell Personal Injury Lawyers see an increase in vehicle accidents among other seasonal accidents such as a slip and fall.

Contacting a #personalinjury lawyer if you have been involved in an accident is one of the first things you should do. The experts at Dye and Russell have experience working with #vehicleaccident claims and understand your frustrations. We are here to get you what you deserve and make recovery as smooth as possible.

If you plan on driving anywhere this winter, here’s what you should know.

Winterize your vehicle.

Prepare your vehicle for the Canadian winters by taking the necessary precautions.

Change your tires from all-seasons to winter tires.
Properly defrost windows and remove any obstructions like ice.
Update your car safety-kit with winter items like an ice scraper.

Failing to equip your vehicle with the proper tires or performing regular maintenance could lead to an accident and potentially cause serious #injury. In instances when an accident has occurred reaching out to an experienced personal injury lawyer can help answer many of the questions you will no doubt have.

Keep fluid levels topped up.

In addition to regular maintenance, it is important to keep your fluids (like gas and windshield-washer fluid) topped up. Condensation in the gas tank has the potential to freeze and cause problems and a lack of windshield-washer fluid can limit visibility when driving.

The lack of visibility is a serious risk while driving in winter conditions. It is easy for ice to build up and for a vehicle to spin out of control. Should you find yourself in this situation and an accident you have been involved in has caused injuries, you should contact an expert like the lawyers at Dye and Russell. They work quickly and diligently to ensure you receive the financial and physical compensation you deserve.

Wipe off your vehicle.

Wiping snow off your vehicle reduces the likelihood of snow sliding off and obstructing the view of drivers behind you. Drivers who have been involved in an accident because of the #negligence of another person should speak with a lawyer immediately.

Have a cellphone.

In the event of an accident, having a cellphone will allow you to connect with help and emergency services (if needed). It also gives you the ability to connect with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following the accident. When you fast dial #1000 from your cellphone, you will be connected with our team at Dye and Russell Personal Injury Lawyers. Helping you from the start is part of the Dye and Russell experience.

By no means should a cellphone be used by the individual while driving; drivers should pull off to the side of the road before making a call.

Adjust for the road conditions.

No matter what tips you follow, adjust your driving to match the road conditions. It is your responsibility to be a safe driver and take the necessary precautions.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, contact the experts at Dye and Russell Personal Injury Lawyers. Their team of professionals have years of experience in #personalinjury law and fighting for the compensation you deserve. Call and book your FREE consultation today at 1-877-883-6171 or fast dial #1000 on your cell phone.

January 31, 2021 Driving, Road Safety, Safety

Hit and Run Accident: Why You Should Contact A Lawyer

A hit and run accident is an accident where one of the parties involved leaves the scene of the accident. Often the vehicle that leaves the scene is unidentified and has failed to exchange information with the other driver, however, this is not always the case. There are instances where the other vehicle has been successfully identified whether by someone at the scene or at a later date. Hit and run accidents can also involve pedestrians who have been struck by a vehicle that has then fled the scene.

Leaving the scene of a hit and run accident between vehicles is a criminal offence under the Highway Traffic Act – especially if an individual is injured because of the accident.

These types of accidents can have serious consequences. It becomes harder to determine liability and collect accident details when there is no one at the scene to be held accountable or question. Hiring a skilled personal injury lawyer right away will help ensure victims are fully compensated.

Accident Claims
Even if an individual is involved in a hit and run accident that results in injury and the other vehicle cannot be identified, our team of professionals will find you coverage through your own insurance policy. In Ontario, the standard policy of insurance, referred to as OAP 1, contains provisions that allow you to seek recourse through unidentified and/or uninsured conditions of your own insurance policy. An experienced lawyer at Dye and Russell can help explain these legal difficulties & help recover fair compensation for your injuries.
Persons injured as a pedestrian, even while lacking an OAP 1, are still eligible to receive compensation. The Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund (MVACF) is a provincial body, set by the Province of Ontario, to assist persons without insurance. It is through this fund that a person can obtain accident benefits. Connecting with a personal injury lawyer is the best way to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Working with a Personal Injury Lawyer
When you work with a personal injury lawyer from Dye and Russell, we’ll make sure you have access to certain types of benefits and provide the help you need to navigate the system of insurance. Often times people think because the vehicle or person responsible for the accident cannot be identified, they have no options.
Our lawyers have experience working with big insurance companies and know how to get you maximum coverage. It is our responsibility to help identify the opportunities of recourse available to you. For instance, your own insurance policy. Any dependents, such as a spouse or child, are able to seek legal remedy under that policy.

Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer
An expert lawyer from Dye and Russell can help you navigate the insurance system and help you get the fair and rightful compensation you deserve. They can assist with getting access to additional coverage under your policy and help you understand the legal side of your case.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a hit and run accident, call the professional lawyers at Dye and Russell today at 1-877-883-6171.

December 1, 2020 Driving, Road Safety, Safety, Spinal Cord Injuries

Water Safety Tips for Toddlers & Children

Teaching your kids to swim & understanding how to be safe around pools or open water is a responsibility every parent takes on. Knowing your toddler or child(ren) can swim can be comforting for parents, but it shouldn’t be your only strategy for keeping them safe.

You teach them to stop & look both ways before crossing the street, not to run out on to the road, to look for cars & where to safely cross the street, yet you wouldn’t leave your toddler or young child unattended playing by the road.

The same goes for pools, open water & even bathtubs. Drownings can occur in as little as 1.5 inches (4 cm) of water.

Supervision

A parent or guardian should always be present when toddlers & or young children are near water. They should always know where their child(ren) are & what potential hazards are nearby.

Creating barriers between the child(ren) & the water reduces the ability & likelihood that the child can reach the hazard. Fencing around a pool is a common method used to keep the area inaccessible. Self-latching or locking gates that are also self-closing add additional safety measures. Any gates or barriers should be regularly inspected to ensure they’re functioning properly.

Pool Rules

Having established pool rules can help instill the need for safety around the water.

The most common & well-known pool rule of them all is no running around the pool. A slip & fall is more likely to occur on wet surfaces & can result in serious injury.

Cleaning up the pool deck so it’s free from water toys or other pool accessories can minimize a child’s temptation to play in that area. It can also reduce the potential for someone to trip over the objects & fall into the water headfirst.

No adult, no entry. Teach them that entering the pool, lake, pond etc. can only be done once a parent has done so. This will enforce to toddlers & younger children that they shouldn’t be going in the water by themselves & that an adult needs to be with them to be in the water.

Follow through. If you say you’re going to go swimming, make sure you keep that promise. By following through with this promise, the child(ren) won’t feel as strong of a need to go near the water when you aren’t around.

Open Water VS Swimming Pool

Swimming at the cottage or in another open body of water is not the same as swimming in a pool at home or recreation centre. A swimming pool is a contained space where the elements can be controlled. Open water brings new hazards that swimmers are faced with. Strong currents, colder water temperatures, greater distances to land or shore, undertows, & even other watercrafts to name a few.

If you or a child has become caught in a river current or fast moving water, the Canadian Red Cross suggests rolling on your back & pointing your feet downstream. This is to avoid hitting any obstacles headfirst. When out of the strongest part of the current, swim straight towards the shore.

Lifejackets & Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)

Drowning accidents can be preventable. When worn properly, a Canadian approved standard lifejacket is designed to turn an unconscious person from their front, over to their back so their face up in the water, allowing them to breathe.

When buying a lifejacket for a child there are certain things you want to look for:

Canadian approval label containing the chest size or weight it is intended for
Large collars will help support a child’s head & give additional protection
A strap on the collar to grab on to
A secure strap that fastens between the child’s legs, so the device doesn’t slip off
Bright colours are more noticeable in the water; red, yellow & orange are preferred options

Having a lifejacket or PFD close by, even within reach, isn’t close enough. The need for adult supervision is always required around water & lifejackets or PFDs aren’t a replacement.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident your road to recovery is important to us. Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and our experienced team at Dye and Russell will get you the support you need.

May 30, 2020 Safety