(NC) As a parent, you try to do whatever you can to keep your kids healthy and safe. You provide them with the most nutritious meals that you can – and do what you can get them to eat them. You encourage physical activity. And you make sure they get regular checkups and vaccinations. Here are three more ways you can help protect your children.

Require helmet use
You wouldn’t pull the car out of the driveway without ensuring everyone’s seatbelt is buckled. So why would you let your kid ride off on their bike or head down a ski hill without a helmet on? Both seatbelts and helmets are essential and potentially lifesaving pieces of equipment. Besides, knowing the risks of concussion and other head injuries, many sports leagues and events now require the use of certified helmets for participants. Also, be a good role model and wear a helmet yourself.

Test your smoke and CO detectors
You should have smoke and carbon monoxide (or CO) detectors on every floor of your home, and in every sleeping area. You should test them monthly to make sure they’re working properly, and replace the backup batteries a couple of times a year. Note also that these units have a 10-year lifespan and should be replaced after a decade in use.

Check for radon
Radon is a naturally occurring odourless, tasteless, radioactive gas that seeps up from the soil. In enclosed spaces, such as a basement, it can accumulate to dangerous levels. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. The only way to know if you have dangerous levels of radon in your home is to test for it. You can buy a DIY testing kit online or hire a certified radon expert to conduct the test for you.

Learn more about radon and how to reduce the risk to you and your family at canada.ca/radon.