Father's safety gear inspires clothing line for kids
Comox-area dad launches high-visibility apparel business to keep 'Lil Workers' safe
A father in the Comox, B.C., area says his effort to find play clothes for his three sons led to the launch of a children's apparel line that he hopes could save little lives.
"It was really just for play, to start," James Flawith said.
Flawith is an arborist who cuts trees around high-voltage power lines. He's also a father of three boys, aged four, three, and one.
The boys were captivated by the high-contrast, reflective gear their dad wore in his job.
"When I get home from work my boys would want to tear my gear off and run around the house in it," Flawith told On the Island host Gregor Craigie.
"I just wanted little people clothes that looked exactly like what I wear to work."
When he couldn't find similar gear in children's sizes, he decided to make the items himself.
Risks similar for road crews, children
"I took that pattern that WorkSafe [BC] requires for me to be working on the road and just applied it to a line of children's clothing," he said.
As he did, he said he realized children and road crews face similar hazards, as kids ride their bikes and walk to school near the roads.
Flawith launched his Lil Worker Safety Gear earlier this month.
With Files from CBC Radio One's On the Island
To hear the full interview go to Father's safety gear inspires clothing line for kids