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Research has proven that 90% of unintentional injuries can be prevented. However, each day, more than 39,000 children are seriously injured and need medical treatment. This is about 14 million children each year. Listed below are some of the topics responsible for injury along with tips to prevent such injury.
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Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of a head injury by 85% and brain injury by 88%. With such known statistics and other research, children should be made aware of the important safety tips and preventive measures before they start to use a bicycle, in-line skates or a skateboard.
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Bicycle Safety Family Education Sheet
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Bicycle Safety Family Education Sheet (Spanish Version)
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Proper restraints for children riding in motor vehicles depend on the child's age and size. When properly installed, the risk of death in a motor vehicle accident is reduced by 71%. The key to keeping your child safe is to use an appropriate child restraint that is properly installed and properly used.
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Car Safety Family Education Sheet
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Car Safety Family Education Sheet (Spanish Version)
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Home fires in the United States have decreased remarkably in the last 20 years thanks to fire safety education. Yet each year, more than 500 children under the age of 15 die in fires and nearly 40,000 are injured. Every family can make their home safer from potential fires with some basic precaution and planning.
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The top 5 leading causes of unintentional home injuries are falls, fire or burn, choking or suffocation, drowning and poisoning. Injuries are most likely to occur in the home, so it is important to make sure that you are keeping your child safe.
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Home Safety Family Education Sheet
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Home Safety Family Education Sheet (Spanish Version)
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Winter is a fun season, but precautions must be taken for a child's safety. Some important tips are to properly dress children when they are going outside and provide protective equipment when they are participating in winter sports.
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Winter and Ice Safety Family Education Sheet
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Ice and Winter Safety Family Education Sheet (Spanish Version)
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Poisoning is the fifth leading cause of death of unintentional injuries in the home among children. Medications and household cleaning products should always be placed in a locked area that is out of your child's reach. Medications that are old, outdated, or no longer being used should be disposed of properly.
For more information go to the Massachusetts and Rhode Island's Poison Control Center's website.
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Poison Safety Family Education Sheet
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Poison Safety Family Education Sheet (Spanish Version)
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Sports related injuries are common among people of all ages, but there are some easy steps you can teach your child to help prevent these kinds of injuries.
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Sports Safety Family Education Sheet
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Sports Safety Family Education Sheet (Spanish Version)
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Water safety in the home is essential to prevent your child from drowning. It is important that you never leave your child unattended in the bathtub or the swimming pool; an adult should always be present.
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Water Safety Family Education Sheet
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Water Safety Family Education Sheet (Spanish Version)
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The leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children under one year of age is airway obstruction (from suffocation, choking, or strangulation), followed by car-related injuries, drowning, fire, and burns according to the Society for Public Health Education.
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Newborns 0-6 Months Safety Family Education Sheet
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Newborns 0-6 Months Safety Family Education Sheet (Spanish Version)
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Infants 6-12 Months Safety Family Education Sheet
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Infants 6-12 Months Safety Family Education Sheet (Spanish Version)
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Chlidren with special needs have higher rates of injury. Knowing this, appropriate care and prevention education should be provided for these children. Safe Kids USA: Safety Tips for Special Needs
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If an injury or accident were to occur to your child, it is important that they be observed to make sure they do not suffer from post traumatic stress. Some indicators to look out for, but are not limited to include:
Not wanting to talk about the injury or accident
Being easily startled and jumpy
Becoming distressed when reminded of the injury or accident
Cannot get back into usual activities
Does not enjoy things that they used to enjoy
Having bad dreams or nightmaresIf these or other indicators are affecting your child and last more than one month without improvement, it is important that you contact your doctor or other professional for help. As a parent, there are many ways that you can help your child after a traumatic experience. The most important way to help is to listen to your child. You need to let them know that they are safe and that they can talk about their feelings and worries. It is important that you do not force your child to talk, but instead encourage them to express their feelings either through words, drawings, writing stories, or other ways that work best for your child. Helping your child get back to their normal routine and spending more time with family and friends helps them feel safe and protected. Finally, it is important that you understand that everyone has different reactions and different ways of showing how they are feeling; be accepting of the way your child is expressing theirs.
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