North Vancouver RCMP offer summer safety tips

With summer weather and scorching temperatures in full swing, North Vancouver RCMP would like to issue a public seasonal reminder to take extra precautions to keep your home and loved ones safe.

Secure the windows in your home

As the weather warms up, household windows tend to be open more often. North Vancouver RCMP would like to remind parents and anyone with young children in their lives to keep their windows secure and safe. The thought of a child falling out of a window is terrifying, but it happens, so take all measures to prevent this from happening.

Some tips on keeping your home more secure for young children:

• Don’t underestimate a child’s mobility; children begin climbing before they can walk.
• Toddlers may use anything as a step stool to get higher.
• Window screens will not prevent children from falling through.
• Install window guards on windows above the ground level.
• Don’t leave children unattended on balconies or decks.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of opening and playing near windows, particularly on upper floors of the home.

For more tips, visit Fraser health website. 

Do not leave children or pets in your vehicle

It is never safe to leave your child unattended in your vehicle, but when the temperature rises, it is even more dangerous.

When it’s warm or hot outside, it’s even hotter inside your vehicle. Leave your pet at home.

Even a couple of minutes is too long to leave a pet or child in your vehicle. For more tips, visit BC SPCA website.

Limit the opportunities for thieves by keeping your home locked and safe

North Vancouver RCMP are asking residents to limit opportunities for thieves looking to take advantage of an open door, window or garage in your home.

If you’re taking time outside to enjoy the sunny weather, please ensure that doors are closed behind you and that accessible windows are secure. Even if you’re just spending time in your garden, it may only take a thief a moment to enter your home and leave with a laptop, phone, wallet or other valuables.

While many people diligently lock their doors and windows, one-way thieves may gain access to your home is through a garage door, particularly if that garage is attached to your home. If there are valuables stored in your garage, thieves might not bother going any further.

Follow the advice below to prevent becoming a victim:
 

• If your electric door opener is over 20 years old, you may want to consider upgrading your system.
• Take your remote with you, or if you must leave it in your vehicle, hide it.
• If you’re going away, disconnect the garage door motor from the electrical outlet.
• If you have windows in your garage door, consider covering them so thieves can’t see your valuables
• Always keep the door that leads from your garage into your home locked.
• Ensure you have a record of items in your garage along with serial numbers. 

Extreme Heat Response Plan

British Columbia’s summer temperatures are increasing. With the impact of climate change, periods of higher temperatures may become more frequent and last longer. We want to be prepared for extreme heat events and reduce the impact and risk to our health. We can do this by:

• Taking steps to prepare ourselves and our homes.
• Understanding which groups in our community are at the highest risk.
• Being aware of the signs of heat related illness.

When temperatures soar, consider visiting community locations that are cool or air conditioned. Click here for a map of community cooling locations on the North Shore. Be sure to call or check online for hours of operation.

For more visit North Shore Emergency Management website.