'A Million Messages' - For Health Practitioners
'A Million Messages' provides standardized messaging to parents and caregivers, based on injury prevention data and growth and developmental stages.
Guide To The Health Practitioners Reference Sheet (2009) (PDF)
AMM - Health Practitioners Reference Sheet (2009) (PDF version)
Shaken Baby Print Materials Order Form
NEWBORN
MOTOR VEHICLE
Every time your baby rides in a vehicle, secure him/her in a rear facing child safety seat as long as possible in a seat appropriate for her/his height and weight.
Correctly install the child safety seat by following the child safety seat instructions and vehicle owner's manual. If you have questions about installing or using a child safety seat call your health centre or Health LINK.
Resource:
Rear Facing Yes Test (PDF)
CRYING – SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME
When your baby can't stop crying, it's okay to ask for help. Remember it's more important to stay calm than to stop the crying. Never shake a baby.
Resources:
When Your Baby Can't Stop Crying (PDF)
The Crying Plan (PDF)
When Baby Can't Stop Crying (website)
Shaken Baby Print Materials Order Form (PDF)
SAFE SLEEPING
For the first year of life, the safest place for your baby to sleep is in your bedroom in a crib that meets Canadian safety standards. Place your baby on his/her back in a crib without soft materials such as quilts, bumper pads, and stuffed animals in a room free from cigarette smoke.
Resource:
Safe Infant Sleep Practices and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) - Info for Professionals (PDF)
2 MONTHS
FALLS
Never leave your baby on top of anything above floor level such as a change table, bed, couch, table, countertop, or dryer/washing machine.
Always use the crotch safety straps when your baby is in a swing, highchair, or stroller.
Resource:
Kidsafe – Home Safety (PDF)
CRYING - SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME
When your baby can't stop crying, it's okay to ask for help. Know who you can call. Never shake a baby.
Resources:
When Your Baby Can't Stop Crying (PDF)
The Crying Plan (PDF)
When Baby Can't Stop Crying (website)
Shaken Baby Print Materials Order Form (PDF)
4 MONTHS
SAFE SLEEPING
For the first year of life, the safest place for your baby to sleep is in your bedroom in a crib that meets Canadian safety standards. Place your baby on his/her back in a crib without soft materials such as quilts, bumper pads, and stuffed animals in a room free from cigarette smoke.
Resource:
Safe Infant Sleep Practices and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) - Info for Professionals (PDF)
DROWNING/SCALD
Bath tub rings are not recommended and always stay within arm's reach when baby is in water.
Prevent tap water scalds by reducing the maximum temperature on your hot water heater to 49°C (120° F).
Keep hot liquids and food out of reach of children. Do not carry your baby when holding a hot drink. Hot liquids can scald up to 30 minutes after boiling.
Resource:
Kidsafe – Home Safety (PDF)
6 MONTHS
FALLS
Keep baby furniture away from the windows.
Install sturdy, wall-mounted (not pressure) gates at the top of the stairs. A pressure gate is sufficient at the bottom of the stairs.
Once your baby can sit, move crib mattresses to the lowest position.
Resource:
Kidsafe – Home Safety (PDF)
MOTOR VEHICLE
Every time your baby rides in a vehicle, secure him/her in a rear facing child safety seat as long as possible in a seat appropriate for her/his height and weight.
Correctly install the child seat by following the child safety seat instructions and vehicle owner's manual. If you have questions about installing or using a child safety seat call your health centre or Health LINK.
Resource:
Rear Facing Yes Test (PDF)
12 MONTHS
POISONING
Store all hazardous substances such as medicine/vitamins, alcohol, cosmetics, and cleaners in locked cabinets (not just placed up high).
Purses, bags, and suitcases left on the floor may contain medications or other poisonous items, therefore, keep them out of reach.
If poisoning is suspected, call the Poison Control Centre 1-800-332-1414.
Resources:
Kidsafe – Home Safety (PDF)
Kidsafe - Backyard Safety (PDF)
CHOKING
Keep objects that are small enough to fit through a cardboard toilet paper roll out of baby's reach.
Feed your baby soft foods. Do not feed foods such as raw carrots, hot dogs, grapes, hard candies, peanuts, or popcorn until 4 years of age.
Resource:
Kidsafe – Home Safety (PDF)
18 MONTHS
MOTOR VEHICLE
Secure your child in a forward facing child seat until he/she weighs at least 40 lbs (18 kg).
Children may dart into traffic or play behind vehicles. You may not be able to see a small child in the rear view mirror, so, walk behind your vehicle before backing up.
Resources:
Rear Facing Yes Test (PDF)
Forward Facing Yes Test (PDF)
FALLS
If your child is starting to climb, move him/her into a toddler bed and ensure that it is kept away from windows.
Constant supervision is required around any surface children can climb up to. When you can't provide constant supervision use a safe play area such as the child's room with the door closed.
Resource:
Kidsafe – Home Safety (PDF)
4 - 5 YEARS
MOTOR VEHICLE
Booster seats allow seat belts to fit child-size bodies properly. Seat belts alone do not properly protect children until they are at least 9 years old or they are over 80 lbs (37 kg).
Children cannot make safe judgments about crossing a street until at least 9 years of age.
Resource:
Booster Seat Yes Test (PDF)
FALLS
In Alberta, bicycle helmets are required by law for children less than 18 years of age. Get your family into the helmet habit!
Role model safe behaviors for your family.
Resources:
Kidsafe – Summer Safety (PDF)
Kidsafe – Winter Safety (PDF)
5 - 9 YEARS
FALLS
Supervision, safe equipment and safe surfacing of play areas are important.
In Alberta, bicycle helmets are required by law for children less than 18 years of age.
Make sure your child wears protective gear and gets appropriate training for whatever sport or recreational activity they participate in. Get your family into the helmet habit!
Resources:
Kidsafe – School Safety (PDF)
Kidsafe – Summer Safety (PDF)
Kidsafe – Winter Safety (PDF)
MOTOR VEHICLE
Booster seats allow seat belts to fit child-size bodies properly. Seat belts alone do not properly protect children until after their 9th birthday or they are over 80 lbs (37 kg).
Once your child is ready for a seatbelt, it must be worn properly – across the shoulder and over the hips – to be effective.
Children cannot make safe judgments about crossing a street alone until 9 years of age.
Resources:
Booster Seat Yes Test (PDF)
Kidsafe – School Safety (PDF)
10 - 14 YEARS
MOTOR VEHICLE
Children/youth under 16 years of age should not operate an adult ATV. Ensure your child/youth only ride an ATV appropriate for their age, weight, and maturity. Follow manufacturers' recommendations when choosing the proper size ATV for your child/youth.
Resources:
Kidsafe Alberta - safeATV (website)
FALLS
In Alberta, bike helmets are required by law for children less than 18 years of age.
Make sure your child wears protective gear and gets appropriate training for whatever sport or recreational activity they participate in. Get your family into the helmet habit!
Resources:
Kidsafe – Summer Safety (PDF)
Kidsafe – Winter Safety (PDF)
15 - 17 YEARS
MOTOR VEHICLE
1 in every 5 new drivers, 16 years of age, is involved in a collision in their first year of driving. In Alberta, Graduated Driver Licensing limits exposure to high risk conditions for new drivers, allowing them to gain experience gradually, under less risky driving conditions.
Your teen needs at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice with a fully licensed (non-GDL) driver.
Children/youth under 16 years of age should not operate an adult ATV. Ensure your child/youth only ride an ATV appropriate for their age, weight, and maturity. Follow manufacturers' recommendations when choosing the proper size ATV for your child/youth.
Resources:
Questions Parents Ask Info Sheet (PDF)
GDL Myth and Facts (PDF)
Kidsafe Alberta - safeATV (website)
Browse By Topic
- Automobile & Traffic Safety
- Backyard Safety
- Bicycle Safety
- Child Health & Pediatrics
- Child Safety Seats & Baby Equipment
- Cold Weather Safety
- External Awards
- Falls and Children
- Farm & Rural Safety
- Fire Safety
- Holiday Safety
- Home Safety
- Hospitals
- Pedestrian Safety
- Research
- Safety Education
- Sport and Recreation Safety
- Sports Injuries
- Sunburn
E-mail this page
Print this page
