Childhood Injury – Predictable and Possibly Preventable
September 1st through the 7th is National Childhood Injury Prevention Week. It is a good time to review reminders about keeping children safe since the vast majority of childhood injuries are predictable and thus preventable.
Parents monitor their children’s safety from the minute they are born. From infant to teenager and beyond, a parent never stops worrying. We childproof our homes when they are toddlers and later stay up waiting to hear the key in the door when they go out in the evening.
On average, more than 50,000 children are injured each day in the United States. According to research from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, falls are the most frequent cause of injuries (non-fatal) for children and teens. Fall injuries account for approximately 8,000 visits to the emergency room every day.
Watch the YouTube video from Mayo Clinic, discussing the prevalence of fall-related injuries in children.
What other events cause pediatric injury? The United States Department of Health and Human Services identify these other common causes of childhood injuries:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Drowning
- Suffocation
- Burns
- Poisoning
Here are some simple tips to protect children from the most common types of childhood injuries:
- Make sure your child always wears a well-fitting helmet while bicycling. As he or she grows, do re-checks for fit and wear and tear.
- If your child plays a sport, invest in the appropriate safety gear, and make sure that they understand that it is important to use the gear properly. Instruct your child to follow all safety instructions from their coaches.
- As early as possible, enroll your child in swimming lessons. There are many safety courses for babies who cannot even walk yet, teaching them to roll over in the water. It is not a 100% safeguard against drowning, but the sooner a child is taught water safety, the better.
- Keep all medications out of reach. Remember that children explore and climb. Consider a locking cabinet and make sure all pills are stored in child-proof bottles or packages.
- In your vehicle, ensure that the proper car seat or booster seat is used. Tug on the belts to make sure they are secure. Local police and fire departments offer car seat safety checks if you want to enlist another set of eyes.
Lesser-Known Tips
In addition to the basic safety tips above, we have gathered a few other important, but perhaps lesser-known, reminders:
- Secure all unsteady furniture such as bookcases and televisions – mount them to the walls. These items tip easily and could fall on top of a child.
- Complete a monthly check of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Replace the batteries every year – designate a memorable day such as January 1st as Battery Day. Replace the entire device every 10 years. Make sure your kids know a fire escape plan.
- Check the house for button batteries – those used in digital scales, remote controls, and key fobs. These lithium batteries can cause devastating injuries if swallowed.
- Find a concussion or sports safety tutorial online. Familiarize yourself and make sure your child is aware of sports safety precautions and concussion risks associated with their sports.
- Be aware of distractions. Distraction is a factor in all types of accidents, including those involving bathing, driving, and even walking while looking at a phone. Cultivate an environment that encourages putting the phone down and communicating with each other.
No injury is 100% preventable. Accidents will always happen, but anticipating the possibility and acting in advance to prevent such occurrence may help reduce the yearly childhood injury statistics.
Folsom, California Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Folsom, and I’ve been working on behalf of injured Folsom residents for more than 38 years. If you or a family member suffered injuries caused by another person’s negligence, please call my office for free and friendly advice at no obligation. I can be reached from outside the region toll-free at (800) 404-5400 or locally at (916) 921-9600.
Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/little-girl-toddler-sitting-monster-1611352/
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