Street Safety
False, to be safe you should always check both ways even if you know cars are supposed to stop for you at that crosswalk.
True/False: I am free to give the phone numbers of my friends and Columbia Staff to other people.
False! To respect people's privacy you should always ask the person if it is okay that you share their number with someone else!
When to get on the bus you need to show what to the driver?
- Your bus pass or bus ticket
AND
- Your attendant card if you have one and your staff is with you
True/False: The higher the SPF number on my sunscreen, the more protection it gives me from the sun
True! People are recommended to use at least SPF 30 or 50, and reapply every 30 minutes.
True/False: Bagged bread can be left out for several days to a week without going stale
True! Bread does not need to be refrigerated to be safe to eat. When it is not safe to eat the bread may be hard as a rock, and will have colourful or dark spots of mould.
Bread will last longer if you keep it in the fridge, and you are able to freeze and defrost loafs when you are ready to use them so they last even longer.
True/False: I should only cross the street at a corner, even if it is a quiet street
True! You should always cross at a corner, even if it is a quiet street. Cars can be very quiet and fast these days, so you may not hear it coming. It is always better to be safe than sorry!
True/False: I should not respond to people who message me that I don't know.
True! There are many people who message strangers in an attempt to get their personal information to use against them. If you don't know the person, it is safe to deny the friend or message request.
True/False: When I get on the bus or train I should not stop at or near the doors if I can. I should find a seat if it is available, or hold onto a pole or strap if I am standing.
True! Transit can be unpredictable, sometimes they need to make sudden stops or turns. If you are seated properly or holding on tightly, you are less likely to be injured.
True/False: if I am a strong swimmer, I never need to wear a life jacket on the water.
False! If you are a strong swimmer and swimming at a pool that if supervised by a lifeguard, feel free to not wear a life jacket. HOWEVER if there is no lifeguard, the water is moving such as a river or sea, or even a lake, regardless of how strong a swimmer you are, you should wear a life jacket. They are not just to help you swim, they are for emergencies such as strong currents or loss of consciousness and built to keep your head out of the water.
True/False: There is no wrong way to hand a knife or scissors to another person.
False! You should always pass someone a knife or scissors handle first.
False, Main roads are more likely to be well lit, and there will be many people driving past you if anything were to happen and you needed to find help.
False, when you get an email from someone or something that you don't expect or recognize you should always show your guardian or staff BEFORE you click any link or reply.
True/False: When the lights are flashing and the arm is coming down in front of me at a train station, I should not try and make it across even if I am running late
True! Your life is not worth being able to arrive on time. All of us would rather you be here late than never get here because you were rushing and not waiting for the train to pass.
True/False: I should wear multiple thin layers of clothing during the summer so that I can remove them as the day gets hotter
True! It is recommended that you wear a thin light coloured long-sleeved shirt, a t-shirt, and a windbreaker/raincoat if needed.
True/False: I can use the same knife and cutting board for the vegetables and raw meat
False! Raw meat often carries bacteria that are harmful to humans if eaten raw. In the cooking process the heat is enough to kill these bacteria while also making a yummy meal. You should always cut raw meat on a seperate cutting board and knife to prevent cross contamination.
True/False: If the crosswalk sign has the flashing hand, I should hurry across the road as quick as I can.
False, only begin crossing while the sign shows the man walking. Some flashing hand signs are only flashing for a few seconds before the traffic lights tell the cars coming toward you that they can go! Don't risk it! Wait for the next light.
True/False: Advertisements on legitimate sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others will always lead to legitimate selling sites.
False! Especially on social media where posts can be sponsored, people with bad intentions can set up legitimate looking shops.
True/False: When there is something that is making me worried on the train or bus, there is a number I can text or call to get help.
True! The anonymous reporting line for transit is
- Text: 74100
- Call: 403-262-1000
- Platform: Emergency button, may also have a phone
-On train: Help strips above your head (newer trains) or help buttons by the doors (older trains)
True/false: It is easy to tell how deep water is, I should feel free to run or dive into water.
False! Water can be deceiving, especially darker water. Always use caution when entering the water because there can be steep drop offs, and only dive in marked areas that have already been determined to be safe.
True/False: Food that was stored in the fridge after 4 hours on the counter is still safe to eat the next day.
False! Food should be put in the fridge before two hours have passed, and can be eaten within four days.
True/False: I should confront someone who I think is following me when I am walking.
False! If you notice someone who you think is following you, move towards a light and busier place. If they are still following behind you, enter a business and ask for help. If you see a peace officer or police officer they may be able to help you if you approach in a calm and clear way.
What should you do if a friend asks for money through the internet (ex. Facebook Messenger, text)
Talk to my guardians and staff, talk to the person asking for money IN PERSON to make sure it is actually them asking and not some random person. A friend asking for money would not mind talking about it in person. This is very serious, and best practice is to always say no.
True/False: Because I have a disability, I am able to use the front seats and I don't have to get up for people with strollers, pregnant people, or the elderly.
False! If you are able to sit at any of the other seats, you should give up your seat. For people who have strollers, walkers or wagons, there is no other space on the bus they can fit!
True/False: I can drink the water I swim in, such as the river, lake, pond, and pools
False! Drinking water that isn't from a bottle or a tap is dangerous because it hasn't been treated. There can be many harmful bacteria and viruses in untreated water which can make you very sick.
True/False: A dull knife if more dangerous than a sharp knife.
True! Using a dull knife means you need to press harder to use it in the same way as you would a sharp knife. When you apply a lot of force you are more likely to slip and injure yourself.