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Injury Prevention

Resource Type

Parent Handouts and Info - Parent

Description

Provides advice on preventing injuries due to fire, scalding/burns, and poisoning, as well as information on crib safety, walker safety, and unintentional firearm injury.

Ages

All Ages

Age Groups

Infancy (<1), Toddlerhood (1-3)

Web Address

http://resources.childhealthcare.org/cocoon/dtw/parent-text/safety/injury_prevention_0_3_pt.html

Languages

English

Injury Prevention

Injury Prevention

Twenty thousand children in the U.S. die from injuries every year. Most of these injuries are preventable. Here are some ways to protect your child from injury.

Fire

  • Working smoke detectors should be in the home.
    • Have one for each room or at least one for each floor.
    • Check once a month to ensure working operating condition
    • Change batteries every spring and fall when changing clocks for day light savings
  • Buy fire extinguishers and keep them handy especially in the kitchen near the stove.
  • Have and practice fire escape plans. Find and discuss a meeting place outside of the house.
  • Here are some "Fire Phrases" which you can teach your children.
    • "Don't hide, go outside," in case of fire
    • "Fall and crawl" for a means of escape
    • "Stop, drop and roll" your clothes catch on fire
  • Teach your children to feel doors before opening them. Do not use that door if it feels hot.
  • Make sure your younger children do not hide from firefighters. Teach them that firefighters are trying to help them during a fire.
  • Do not to leave matches and lighters on counter tops or tables. Children may try to play with them and start a fire.
  • Teach your child how to dial 911.

Scalding/Burns

  • Make sure that water heater is set no higher than 120-degrees.
  • The hot water temperature can be checked by running hot water onto a meat thermometer.
  • Turn the handles of pots and pans inward and use back burners of the stove.
  • Bottles should never be heated in the microwave. The center core can be hot and burn your infant during drinking.
  • Food should be allowed to cool after you remove it from the microwave.
  • Make sure that cords from appliances are not hanging over countertops. Coffee pots, toasters, and crock pots could fall on your children when they pull on these cords.
  • Hot plates are dangerous and should not be used.

Poisoning

  • Keep both over-the-counter and prescription medicines out of reach and out of sight. Ask for child-resistant caps.
  • Do not take medicines in front of the child because the child may want to copy you later.
  • Do not call medications "candy". Call medicines by their correct names.
  • Put cleaning products in higher cabinets with child safety locks.
  • Lead poisoning is still a national health hazard. Children get lead from eating peeling paint and dust in houses built before 1978. Also, they can get lead from drinking water from lead pipes. Parents' work clothes can be a source of lead if they work in jobs like recycling, making car batteries or painting homes. Also, parents' hobbies, making stained-glass windows, can be a source of lead. Home health remedies such as arzacon, greta, or pay-loo-ah have lead in them. Also, be ware of eating meals out of lead-based pottery. If you feel that your child has been exposed to lead, tell your child's doctor.
  • Keep the Poison Control Center's national toll free number posted: 1-800-222-1222.

Cribs

  • Slats for cribs should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart so that your child's head will not get stuck between the slats.
  • Remove mobiles as soon as the child is able to push up on her hands and knees which is usually between 6-9 months.
  • Remove bumper pads as soon as the child can stand at about 10-12 months.
  • Place cribs away from window blind cords which could strangle your child. You can use safety devices to keep the cords rolled up and out of your child's reach.

Walkers

  • Do not use walkers because your child can run into tables and fall down stairs. Stationary exersaucers can be used instead.

Unintentional firearm injury

  • Remove all guns from the home.
  • If you feel that you must have a gun in the home, then the gun should be stored unloaded and locked in a home safe. The ammunition should be locked away in a separate place.
  • Know who your child is playing with and if there is a gun in the home. Playing at your home would be safer if there is no gun in your home.

Adapted from Healthy Steps. Edited and Compiled by the Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care 2011

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