Sports

On this page:

• In-line Skating/Rollerblading
• Playground Safety
• Fun in the Water
• Learning to Swim is Essential
• Swimming Pool Safety: Make a Splash

The possibility of injury in sport is part of life, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of injury. This section provides information that will enable you to get the most out of recreation and sports.

Play safely:

• Introduce new activities carefully and with patience - children and adults alike need time to practice and master new skills.
• For vigorous sports activities, concentrate on learning the skills first then gradually increase the intensity.
• Make sure indoor and outdoor play spaces are safe.
• Keep constant watch over children around water, in parks, and public places.
• Wear protective equipment approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) when appropriate. For example, helmets for cycling, scooters, in-line skating; and lifejackets for boating and water activities.
• Wear comfortable clothing and footwear that suits the activity - and the weather!
• Make sure plenty of fluids are available, especially in hot weather to prevent dehydration.
• Follow rules and safety practices particular to the sport or activity.

In-line Skating/Rollerblading

Increasingly, adults and children alike are finding in-line skating an enjoyable, accessible, and affordable activity. Along with the rising popularity of in-line skating, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of injuries (primarily to the hand, forearm, and head) associated with the sport.

Recommended measures for the prevention of in-line skating injuries:

• Use full protective equipment (helmet, wrist guards, gloves, knee and elbow pads, and protective clothing -- long sleeves and long pants).
• Take lessons.
• Skate in areas such as roller rinks, parks and playgrounds that are free of traffic, pedestrians, obstacles and surface irregularities (e.g. cracks, potholes).
• Skate on dry surfaces and under conditions of good visibility.
• Stay away from traffic.
• Don't skate in confined areas with obstacles (e.g. in the house or garage).
• Be careful near stairs and steps.
• Use caution on inclines, ramps and hills
• Avoid involving very young children in the sport before they have sufficient strength and coordination.
• While it would be preferable to not use any device requiring headphones when skating, blading or biking, if you must, ensure that you can still hear your surroundings.

Playground Safety

Each year, more than 20,000 to 30,000 Canadian children are injured on playgrounds. Of these, about 1,700 will require admission to hospital. Tragically, some children die. The following statistics emphasize the need for playground safety.  Source: Safe Kids Canada

• Injuries on playground equipment were sustained most frequently by 5-9 year olds (54%), followed by 2-4 year olds (26%).
• Most injuries occurred at a public park (37%) or at school (35%)
• Playground equipment accounting for most injuries were slides (22%), monkey bars (21%) and swings (20%)

Source:  Public Health Agency of Canada: Data Sampler - Injuries Associated with Playground Equipment

Playground Safety Tips

• Never tamper with the ropes on playground equipment.
• Adults should supervise children on the playground at all times.
• Children should avoid wearing clothing with drawstrings which can get caught in the equipment and lead to entanglement or strangulation.
• Children should take off helmets before playing on equipment as they can get stuck and result in strangulation.

Fun in the Water

Recreational Water Safety

Canadians have an abundance of fresh and salt water that can be used for recreational purposes. Unfortunately, like many other countries, waters in and around urban centres and agricultural regions are becoming increasingly contaminated.

What are some of the health risks of swimming in polluted water?

Microbiological contamination (e.g. poorly treated sewage) can cause a number of illnesses. The most common are gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhea and respiratory, eye, ear, nose or throat infections. Chemical pollutants may also pose health risks but disease-causing microorganisms from poorly treated sewage are a greater risk.

Swallowing water is the main way pollutants enter the body. They may also gain entry through broken skin or through the ears, eyes or nose. Other physical hazards are possible when swimming in polluted water. If water is not clear due to contamination or weed growth, objects like rocks and broken glass are much less visible and more likely to cause injury.

Ways you can help keep recreational water safe:

• Avoid the water if you have an open wound or an infection.
• Don't use soap in recreational water. Soap nourishes algae and bacteria, helping them to grow.
• Take limited amounts of food to beaches to discourage animals and birds which leave droppings. Don't feed animals or birds, and securely close garbage bins.
• Pick up your pet's droppings and dispose of them hygienically.
• Avoid using fertilizers near recreational water.
• If you live in a rural area make sure your septic system works properly.
• actice pollution-free boating by disposing of human wastes hygienically.
• Encourage your municipality and local industry to treat waste properly.

Learning to Swim is Essential

Teaching your children to swim is important to avoid drownings and near-drownings. Around the age of three, children's bodies are usually developed enough to allow them to learn the basics of swimming. In the pool, at the beach or in a boat, you are responsible for ensuring that children understand the basic rules of water safety. Children must be supervised at all times around water.

Contact your local Red Cross, the Régie de la sécurité dans les sports du Québec or your municipal government for additional information. Find out if there are training programs available in your area and take advantage of them. You will feel safer and be prepared in the event of an emergency. Remember also, it is never too late to learn to swim.

Swimming Pool Safety: Make a Splash

Ah, a backyard swimming pool! Nothing like it for cooling off.

Make the pool a fun and safe place.

• Check with your municipality about rules for fencing in backyard pools. A fence will help prevent accidents -- especially to children.
• If your pool fence has a gate, keep it locked at all times.
• Verify all accesses to the pool, such as patio doors, are locked.
• Always have an adult watching children who are in and around the pool.
• Teach young children to swim or play within arm's reach.
• Enroll children in swimming and water safety lessons. For more information, contact your local branch of the Canadian Red Cross or Lifesaving Society.
• Children under 3 or who cannot swim must wear a life jacket or personal flotation device at all times, in or around the pool.
• Keep life saving equipment and a first aid kit handy by the pool.
• Have a list of emergency phone numbers at the phone nearest the pool.
• Keep toys, garden furniture, and tools away from the pool fence. Kids can climb them to get into the pool.
• Store pool chemicals out of the reach and sight of children.