Child Safety

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 100,000 children are injured as a result of car accidents on an annual basis. It was also reported that 675 children under the age of 12 years old died as a result of automobile accidents in 2017. Of the 675 children who died, approximately 35 percent were not wearing seatbelts. There are ways in which the number of deaths and injuries can be prevents. It involves both the safe driving of the person transporting the children as well as the safe driving of others on the highways, roads, and streets. Speed limits are posted and should be followed. It is also important for all drivers to pay close attentions to traffic lights, signage, weather, and other traffic conditions. Distractions should be kept to a minimum. That's right, put down the mobile phone and eat that snack at another time. When driving, the focus should be on safe driving beyond everything else. While you may not be transporting a chid, the driver near you will be. Keep children safe.

For all pedestrians including children, the CDC reports that there are approximately 6,000 deaths on an annual basis. Furthermore, it was also reported that there were an estimated 137,000 pedestrians admitted to local emergency rooms on an annual basis. A pedestrian is 1.5 times more likely to be killed than a passenger of a motor vehicle according to the available statistics and studies. Children are at risk for being victims of a pedestrian accident especially younger children who lack the knowledge and awareness of the dangers of the traffic and roadways. It is important for all drivers to slow down in residential and school zone areas. For busy urban areas, a child could be crossing the street at any time. Crosswalks and signals should be used at all times possible.

Nationwide Children's Hospital, based in Columbus, Ohio, reports that there are more than 220,000 children treated at emergency rooms on an annual basis due to bicycle accidents. This equates to approximately 25 children every hour. The majority of bicycle related injuries take place in the street or at home. There was a lower likelihood of head and neck injuries / hospitalizations when helmets were in use at the time of the incident. There is a campaign widely promoted in the form of Watch Out for Motorcycles. This same campaign / concept should be kept in mind for children riding bicycles. Drivers should slow down anytime that a child is riding on or near a roadway. At any time, a child may turn into traffic or unknowingly ride into a dangerous situation. Parental supervision is important for younger children.

In just about every neighborhood, you will see dogs. Most are quite good and have never bitten an adult or child. Keep in mind that dogs are animals and, at times, get aggressive / instinctive due to environmental factors or no reason at all. It has been reported that there are approximately 4.7 million dog bites that take place on annual basis. Of these dog bites, it is estimated that approximately 800,000 need medical attention. Depending on the State you are in, a dog owner may be liable even if the dog has never been aggressive in the past. For other States, there is a required showing of prior aggression or a prior dog bite / attack before liability will attach. Dog leash laws typically vary from county to county and city to city. Dog owners should use their best efforts to keep a dog on a leash and otherwise keep a watchful eye on their dogs.

Day care centers should be safe havens for children. They should be staffed by caring and trained personnel who understand that the safety of each and every child should be a priority. For day care providers and staff members who lack the temperament or maturity to care for children, it would be best for all involved if these individuals selected another line of work. For parents and guardians, it is important to inspect the day care center before placing a child in the program. Ask to see the license and survey history of the day care center. Do your diligence and homework. Unfortunately, day care centers are the home to a number of unintentional and even intentional injuries that are cause by the very people responsible for the safety and well-being of the children. The CDC reports that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. Unintentional injuries include but are not limited to burns, falls, poisoning, and road traffic deaths. Tragically, some of these deaths have included children who have been left in a hot van or bus by a day care staff member with the child dying as a result of hyperthermia (heath stroke).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 200,000 children are treated in ermgency rooms due to playground related personal injuries. The CDC further notes that approximately 45 percent of these injuries involve concussions, internal injuries, fractures, dislocations, and even amputations. The majority of reported playground related injuries take place on public playgrounds / parks. It is important for playgrounds to be well maintained and that proper adult supervision is in place especially for younger children who lack good balance and strength for climbing and for play on platforms / ladders in which there is a drop / height to the ground. Children are curious and will test the limits of the playground area as well as their own physical abilities. While being adventurous is a part of childhood, unsupervised and / or unsafe activities on a playground can lead to serious physical injuries and even the death of a child.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has reported that approximately 8,800 people are injured in amusement park / theme park incidents on an annual basis. These statistics only include emergency room visits. As such, the actual number of incidents at amusement park / theme parks are most likely higher. Of the injuries reported from emergency rooms, about half of the patients were reported to be children. The majority of injury victims who involving a rider who fell or was forcefully ejected from a ride were children. While deaths that occur at theme parks / amusement parks are relatively rare, they still continue to take place even in a world filled with technological advances and safety measures. The causes of injuries at the amusement park / theme park include but are not limited to the mechanical failure of the ride, passenger misuse, the inherent risk of the ride, and the improper operation of the ride by the attendant.

According to Stanford (University) Childrren's Health, there are approximately 30 million children who participate in organized sports on an annual basis. There are approximately 3.5 million injuries that result from organized sports participation. While deaths are a small number with these statistics, it was reported that the leading cause of a sports related injury involves a traumatic brain injury. For all brain injuries reported to children, sport related activities account for approximately 21 percent of the injuries. For children ages 14 and younger, there are approximately 775,000 emergency room visits for sports related injuries. The highest rate for sports related injuries involve some form of contact or collision by one or more participants. The Consumer Products Safety Commission and other organizations track and report injuries related to sports related activities. The Stanford Children's Hospital Website reported statistics for the following sports / activities: basketball, baseball / softball, bicycling, football, ice hockey, in line and roller skating, sledding / toboggan, snow skiing / snowboarding, soccer, and trampolines. For organized sports as well as forms of free play, it is important to have some form of responsible adult supervision to make sure that rules are followed, safety equipment is used, and play is restricted to a safe and defined area.

The National Safety Council reports that drowning deaths are the second leading cause of preventable deaths for children through the age of 15 years old. Drowning deaths for children are the highest among one to to year old children. Just a few seconds of inattention can lead to tragic consequences in the form of a drowning death or lifelong injuries for a child. Drowning deaths can take place in a pool, bathtub, or even a bucket of water. According to the National Safety Council, over 350 children died in swimming pools in spas in 2015. It was also reported that approximately 6,400 children are seen on an annual basis in emergency room due to swimming pool and spa injuries. It should be noted that being present is different than being attentive when it comes to the supervision of children in or near swimming pools and other aquatic related areas. For instance, being 10 feet from the swimming pool but otherwise engaged in the latest Facebook post or Twitter feed can lead to disastrous consequences for children in or near a pool. Never ever underestimate the power and danger of water especially for young children.