Falls

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for all children 0-19 years old. Every day, approximately 8,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fall related injuries. This adds up to almost 2.8 million children each year.

Unfortunately we can’t keep our kids in a bubble, but we can try to help prevent serious injuries from falls with these steps:

• Play safely. Make sure the playground equipment your child uses is properly designed and maintained.  Check that there is a safe, soft landing surface below.
• Make home safety improvements. Use home safety devices, such as guards on windows that are above ground level, stair gates, and guard rails. These devices can help keep a busy, active child from taking a dangerous tumble.
• Keep sports safe.Make sure your child wears protective gear when playing active sports. Helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards can all help keep our children safe.
• Supervision is key. Supervise young children at all times around fall hazards, such as stairs and playground equipment, whether you’re at home or out to play.

Burns

Every day, 435 children ages 0 to 19 are treated in emergency rooms for burn-related injuries and two children die as a result of being burned. Scald burns, caused by hot liquids or steam, are the most common types of burn-related injuries among young children. Contact burns, caused by direct contact with fire, are more prevalent among older children.

To prevent burns from scalding water:

• Always check water temperature of the bath or sink immediately before your child uses it. Infants who aren’t walking yet can’t get themselves out of water that may be too hot.
• Check water heater temperature. Set your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Maintaining a constant and safe thermostat setting can help control the water temperature throughout your home—preventing it from getting too high.

To prevent burns from fires and appliances:

• Be alarmed. Install and maintain smoke alarms in your home—on every floor and near all rooms family members sleep in. Test your smoke alarms once a month to make sure they are working properly. Replace batteries once a year and as needed.
• Have an escape plan. Create and practice a family fire escape plan, and involve kids in the planning. Make sure everyone knows at least two ways out of every room and identify a central meeting place outside.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended, place them in a safe place away from children and pets.
• Use a screen in front of the fireplace
• Do not smoke inside your home.
• Cook with care. Use safe cooking practices. Never leave food unattended on the stove. Turn handles of pots and pans away from the front of the stove. Use the back burners to cook on. Also, supervise young children whenever they’re near cooking surfaces.
• Unplug all irons when not in use - curling irons, flat irons, and other heating beauty products. Store out of reach of children. Never leave a flat iron or curling iron in reach of a child when in use.

Source: Centers for Disease Control - Burns and www.SafeKids.org