July 5th is National Injury Prevention Day and various cities and municipalities will be lighting up green to show support, including Lethbridge City Hall.
About three of every four injury-related deaths in Canada are due to unintentional causes like falls, vehicle accidents and poisonings. In 2019 alone, Alberta had more than 34,000 injury-related hospital admissions and more than 515,000 emergency room visits.
When it comes to falls, they can happen anywhere, Alberta Health Services recommends proper supervision, removing any hazards, having safe play practices and proper clothing.
With summer here, the idea of travelling around and roads trips are top of mind. always wear a seatbelt, reduce any distractions and focus only on driving, be aware of surroundings like runners, cyclists and pedestrians, and follow speed limits.
For poisonings, use childproof latches on cupboards, keep products in original labelled containers, and be aware of potential poisoning risks like perfumes, cleaning products, and batteries.