June is National Safety Month
Make One Change for Safety this Month
The number of traumatic injuries treated in the ER nearly doubles during the summer.
Protect Your Home
Injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 40, but there are many things people can do to stay safe and prevent injuries.
Every year, more than 2,200 children die from injuries suffered in accidents at home, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Some of the most common household accidents include falls, water accidents, drowning, ingestion of poison, fire, burns, scalding and furniture falling onto children.
Many children are enjoying the freedom of summer this June. With kids out of school, it’s a good time to check around the house for anything that might affect their safety.
The job of protecting kids most often falls to parents and caregivers, and it is up to them to familiarize themselves with safety risks in and around their homes and communities. Once you know the risks, you can take steps to plan for safety.
9 Child Safety Tips
1. Teen Driving
Half of all teens will be in a car crash before graduating from high school. Teen drivers who continue to practice with their parents increase their chances of avoiding a crash.
3. Anchor Furniture
Furniture, such as dressers and bookshelves, poses a tip-over risk for young children. A child is injured every 30 minutes as a result of furniture or TV tip-over incidents. Anchor your furniture.
4. Water Safety
Parents need to supervise their children near bathtubs. Most drowning or near-drowning incidents happen when a child falls into a pool or is left alone in the bathtub.
5. Risks of Button Batteries
It is important to recognize the hidden dangers lurking inside seemingly harmless items, such as remote control devices. Button batteries if swallowed can cause serious injury or death.
6. Sleep Safety
Cribs are responsible for more infant deaths than any other nursery product. When it comes to bedding and crib decorations, remember that bare is best. Pillows, bumpers, and toys can pose a suffocation risk.
7. Playground Safety
Playgrounds are a place for fun and a place for skinned knees. Nearly 80% of playground injuries are caused by falls. Watch out for improper ground surfaces, overcrowded play areas, and sharp points.
8. Medicine
Dangerous poisons are lurking in your medicine cabinet. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can be deadly. Store medicine away, and talk to older kids about the dangers of misusing medicine.
9. Window Safety
More than 3,000 children are injured in falls out of windows to require medical attention every year. One child dies every month from window cord strangulation. Keep cords away from sleeping and playing.
Raise awareness about the leading causes
of injuries and deaths in our homes and communities.
Though safety should be a year-round consideration, National Safety Month is a good time to make conscious efforts to improve your own environment as well as share tips with family, friends, and neighbors. Talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your household.