Did you know?
Canada currently marks only one day a year for injury prevention (National Injury Prevention Day)—a window many safety advocates claim is far too small to address such a critical public health issue.
Transitioning to a dedicated National Injury Prevention Month would better reflect the seriousness of the issue, as unintentional injuries remain the leading cause of death for Canadians aged one to 44. A month-long initiative would move beyond brief awareness, providing the necessary time for in-depth education and the promotion of sustainable behavioral changes that a single day simply cannot achieve.
While unintentional injuries take a massive toll, they remain a largely overlooked crisis across all levels of government and society. This isn’t an April Fool’s Day prank—though the lack of action certainly feels unbelievable. It’s time we acknowledge the scale of this problem.
Setting aside our national shortcomings, let us return to the much-anticipated occasion at hand. Given that a fool is characterized by a lack of prudent judgment, please remain mindful this April, as unintentional injuries continue to place an immense strain on our nation’s healthcare system and its frontline workers. This pressure extends to emergency responders and 9-1-1 dispatchers, who are already grappling with an unprecedented staffing crisis.
How to avoid being the ultimate April Fool—April 1 is a minefield of pranks, but the real punchline is on you if any of the following safety oversights apply:
- You don’t have the Poison Centre’s toll-free number readily available. NOTE: If you suspect a poisoning, call 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669). Always keep the number nearby in a visible location, such as on your fridge, and program the number into your phone’s contact list.
- You don’t leave valuable information for the babysitter such as emergency phone numbers, where to reach you, and the address etc. NOTE: There have been cases where the sitter needed emergency personnel, but had no idea of the address they were at; true fact!
- You don’t wear your seat belt when driving in a motor vehicle. NOTE: Iserved with the OPP (1986-1987) and with the Fire Rescue Service in a part-time and fulltime capacity (1987-2024). I know from my own personal experience—as well as from the experience of many other emergency responders—the critical role seatbelts play in saving lives!
- You don’t properly install and maintain working smoke alarms on every level of your home, cabin/cottage/camp, and outside/near sleeping areas. NOTE: For added protection, install working smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.
- You don’t test your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button.
- You don’t replace the batteries at least once a year in all your smoke alarms.
- You don’t vacuum your smoke alarms annually according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- You have smoke alarms older than 10 years! NOTE: Even when appearing operational, smoke alarm sensors—designed to detect smoke particles—gradually lose sensitivity over time. Consider that a 10-year lifespan equates to over 87,000 hours of constant exposure to typical household conditions.
- You don’t have a home fire escape plan with two ways out of each room—especially sleeping areas—and a meeting place outside. NOTE: Obviously, windowless rooms—such as bathrooms—will only offer one way out.
- You smoke in bed.
- You leave burning candles unattended.
- You store firearms and bullets unlocked and together.
- You don’t test food that has been heated before feeding small children.
- You don’t store matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children.
- You store gasoline in the home, cabin/cottage/camp or even an attached garage.
- You pour flammable liquids such as gasoline on wood to start or rekindle a fire.
- You don’t look while you cook! NOTE: Unattended cooking is a leading cause of fires.
Additionally, if your place has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage, you’re gambling with your safety if:
- You don’t install working carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home and cabin/cottage/camp according to the manufacturer’s instructions and adjacent to each sleeper area; adjacent means the hallway or area outside the sleeping area.
- You don’t test your CO alarms monthly by pressing the test button.
- You don’t replace the batteries at least once a year in all your CO alarms to prevent the chirp!
- You don’t replace CO alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- You use outdoor fuel-burning equipment (generators, patio heaters, gas/propane/charcoal barbecues/grills, etc.) inside your home or garage, as well as in a cabin/cottage/camp.
Remember, taking the time to learn and practice injury prevention costs you nothing. Failing to do so, could lead to the unthinkable … the loss of your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
Safety—it starts with you.
