Ways to Prevent Childhood Injuries

Injuries are the leading cause of death in children under the age of fourteen. Each year 6,900 children aged fourteen and under are fatally injured from unintentional injuries and more than 50,000 are permanently disabled. While not every injury can be avoided, there are preventative measures that every family can and should take.

The following measures are recommendations from the National SAFE KIDS Coalition.

*Everyone buckles up on every ride. Children under eighty pounds and four feet nine inches tall are secured in an appropriate safety seat. Kids under twelve are always in the backseat.

*Children ten and under never cross the street alone.

*Everyone wears properly fitted helmets and safety gear when participating in activities such as bicycling, inline skating, skateboarding and riding scooters.

*Children are never left unsupervised around any water, including bathtubs.

* All smoke detectors are in working order and are tested monthly. There are detectors in every room. The family has an escape plan that is practiced regularly.

*All water heaters are set no higher then 120 degrees F to prevent scalding and burning.

*If guns are in the home, they are kept unloaded and locked away. Ammunition is kept in a locked area separate from the guns. The same applies to arrow tips and broadheads.

*Windows, stairs, furniture and playground equipment are all protected so that children will not fall from them, or in case of a fall there is a cushioned base to lessen impact.

*Household cleaners, medicines and vitamins are stored out of children's reach.

*Emergency numbers are posted near all telephones.

It is also a good idea to keep child proofing measures in place long after your child has passed the toddler stage. Children can "forget" rules that are long established and it helps to have a visual reminder such as an outlet plug. Items such as baby gates and cabinet locks also help to slow down children who may know better but are really not ready to slow down and pay attention.

Other ideas include:
*Put adhesive treaded mats or stickers in the bottom of bathtubs or showers to prevent slipping.

*Keep doors locked, even when you are home. This will prevent younger children from trying to escape unnoticed as well as unwanted guests from coming in.

*Children should never be left alone with pets. This is for the pet's safety as well as the child's.

*Garages and sheds are always locked and all chemicals are out of reach.

*A first aid kit should always be well stocked and kept in the same place. There is a list of medicine that each person takes as well as their dosage inside the first aid kit.

As I mentioned before, not every accident can be prevented, but following these tips can help protect your family from needless trips to the emergency room.