‘Larger-than-life’ banana on display as part of preventable injuries campaign

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A giant banana peel on display at Vancouver’s Olympic Village has been set up to hopefully catch your attention and send an important message.

“This is an international icon for an ‘accident waiting to happen,'” explains Dr. Ian Pike, co-executive director for Preventable. “The idea is that exaggerated you can see it, and if you can see it you can avoid it.”

With temperatures expected to hit the 30s in many parts of the region this weekend, Pike says it’s important to protect yourself against sunburn and heat-related injuries.

“Recognition of the fact that this is going to be a very hot weekend as well, we would remind people about sun safety,” says Pike, who adds people can avoid burns by dressing properly, wearing plenty of sunscreen, and drinking a lot of water to prevent dehydration.

Other types of injurIes commonly seen in the summer months include vehicle crashes and drownings, with more than 50 per cent of fatal drownings happening on the weekends.

“Fortunately fatal drownings are rare, but we do see them peak between May to September –that’s the period of highest risk, and of course that makes sense because that’s when the weather’s warm and people are swimming and boating,” says Jennifer Smith, Senior Program Manager.

Smith says people need to remember that accidents do happen, and also keep in mind that they aren’t actually accidents, they’re in fact preventable.

Preventable hopes the banana peel will help people recognize there are risks involved with many, if not most, activities.

Both Pike and Smith say it’s up to each person to take the necessary steps to ensure they don’t get hurt.

As for those of you heading out of town this long weekend, Smith says it’s important to give yourself enough time to get to and from your destination.

“Avoid frustration on the road, make sure you’re not in a rush and also to leave the phone alone, that’s a really important [tip],” says Smith.

Pike is urging drivers to get enough rest before hitting the road, and to keep others in mind before getting behind the wheel.

“We recognize that a lot of people are going to leave it to the last minute on Monday evening to get home. They’ll have spent the whole three or four days in the sun, they’ll be enjoying some beverages I’m sure, and all of that can result in particular fatigue and tiredness at the end of the weekend.”

According to Preventable, the number of injury-related hospitalizations in the summer is higher on long weekends than on regular weekends.

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