Safe Start’s
Child Safety
Quiz
Updated October 2012
1. Which of the following plants is
poisonous?
a) Boston fern
b) spider plant
c) dieffenbachia
Answer: c) dieffenbachia.
If the plant is chewed, the crystals are released and can
cause intense pain and possible swelling of the mouth.
Remove this plant from your home if you have young
children.
Source: BC Drug and Poison Information Centre
3. At what width should you lock an
open window to prevent a toddler
from falling out?
a) 4 inches (10 cms)
b) 5 inches (12 cms)
c) 6 inches (15 cms)
Answer a) 4 inches (10 cms)
Children can squeeze through an opening of only 5
inches (12 cms). Lock open windows at no more
than 4 inches (10 cms) wide, and never use
screens as window guards. The weight of a small
child is enough to dislodge a screen from its
frame.
4. As of July 1, 2008, BC law requires
children over 40 pounds to ride in a
booster seats when travelling in
vehicles until they…
a) weigh over 60 pounds (27 kgs)
b) are 4 feet 9 inches tall (145 cms)
c) reach their 9th birthday
Answer: b or c
As at July 1, 2008, Children in BC over 40 lbs (18 kgs) need to
ride in a booster seat until they are 4 feet, 9 inches (145
cms) tall or until they reach their 9th birthday. A child can
remain in a booster seat until they have outgrown the
weight and height limits of the seat. Please note, BCAA
Road Safety Foundation recommends children remain in a
booster seat until they are over 145 cm (4’9″) even after
they’ve reached 9 years of age .
5. As a minimum, at what age and
weight is it safe to turn your infant
from a rear-facing car seat to a
forward-facing car seat?
a) 6 months and 15 lbs (7kgs)
b) 8 months and 20lbs (9kgs)
c) 12 months and 20lbs (9kgs)
Answer: c) 12 months and 20 pounds (9 kgs)
BC law requires all babies to stay rear-facing
in their car seats until at least one year of age
and 20 lbs (9kgs). It is recommended that
children stay rear-facing longer if allowed by the
child car seat manufacturer’s weight limit.
If your child reaches the maximum weight
limit for his or her infant car seat before one
year of age, move them up to a convertible seat
and keep it rear-facing. Most convertible car
seats have a rear-facing weight limit of at least
30 lbs (14kgs).
Source: BCAA Road Safety Foundation
6. Which of these is responsible for
the most poisoning deaths among
young children?
a) medication
b) cleaners
c) plants
Answer a) medications
The most common cause of poisoning in young
children are from cough and cold medications and
pain and fever medications. All medications and
vitamins should be kept in a locked cupboard or
box, out of reach of young children.
Source: BC Poison Control Centre
7. In Canada, which of the following
results in the most hospitalizations
of children under five years of age?
a) falls
b) poisonings
c) burns
Answer a) falls
Poisonings are in second place, followed by burns.
When scoping your house for safety hazards,
focus on sharp edges (such as coffee tables and
fireplace hearths), tripping hazards, top-heavy
furniture (bookcases and TV stands), staircases,
and windows. These are common causes of fallrelated injuries.
Source: BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit
9. What is the ideal temperature for
a household hot water tank, to
prevent scald burns?
a) 116º F (46 C)
b) 120º F (49 C)
c) 140º F (60 C)
Answer: b) 120º F (49 C)
Hot tap water that is higher than 120 F (49 C) will
burn a child in less than a second.
Source: Too Hot for Tots!
10. According to BC Children’s
Hospital’s Emergency data, which of
the following causes the most
choking/swallowing incidents among
young children?
a) coins
b) hot dogs
c) toy pieces
Answer a) coins
Coins are the most likely objects in your home to
cause choking. Children could swallow them as
well. Hide coin jars, and check between the
cushions in your couch for loose change.
11. True or false. You should always
use a pressure gate at the top of
the stairs to prevent falls.
Answer: false
Although it is very important to put a gate at the
top of the stairs, installing a pressure gate can
actually increase your baby’s chances of being
injured. Instead, use a stair gate that bolts to the
wall on both sides, so it cannot be dislodged. The
best stair gates are at least 30 inches (76 cms)
high and offer no toe-holds for climbing.
13. On average, how many calls about
someone being poisoned are made
each year to the BC Poison Control
Centre?
a) 26,000
b) 15,000
c) 10,000
Answer a) 26,000
More than half of poisonings reported in to the
B.C. Drug and Poison Information Centre involve
children under six years of age. Most poisonings
in children happen just before lunch and before
dinner when children are hungry and least
supervised.
Source: BC Drug and Poison Information Centre
15. Which of the following is a risk
factor for Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS)?
a) maternal smoking
b) sleeping position
c) soft, fluffy material in baby’s crib
Answer: All of the above
Although SIDS is rare, it is one of the most common
causes of death in babies between 1 and 12 months of age.
Ways to reduce the risks of SIDS is to place babies to
sleep on their backs on a firm mattress with no soft
bedding and to not expose baby to smoke during and after
pregnancy.
Babies should also have supervised “tummy time” when
they are awake several times a day to prevent a flat spot on
their head.
Source: BC Health Files
18. On toys, the warning “Do not give to
children under three years of age”
means what?
a) they can be taken apart
b) they contain choking hazards
c) they have sharp pieces
Answer: all of the above
Young children, especially those under three years
of age, frequently mouth objects. Small toys, balls
or loose or broken toy parts are choking hazards.
Keep them out of reach.
Source: Health Canada (Toy Safety Tips)
19. Where is your child in the most
danger of being bitten by a dog?
a) at home
b) in the playground
c) at another’s home
Answer a and c
Each year thousands of people are
hospitalized because of dog bite injuries -- nearly
half of them are children under age 10.
Dog bites are most likely to be inflicted by
the family’s or a neighbour’s dog. Teach your
child how to approach dogs properly and not to
pet dogs that are sleeping, eating, behind fences
or in cars.
Source: BCSPCA
20.In Canada, it is illegal to sell a crib
made before what year?
a) 1975
b) 1980
c) 1986
Answer: c) 1986
In September, 1986, Health Canada introduced
strict safety regulations governing cribs. Any crib
made before this date may have unsafe mattress
supports or slats that could suffocate a baby.
Source: Health Canada Consumer Product Safety