Injury is the leading cause of death for children in the United States. As prevention is better than cure, it is important to follow some tips and tricks to prevent injuries.
Causes of Injuries Among Children
- Slips and falls
- Burns
- Scalds
- Drowning
- Poisoning
- Motor vehicle related injuries
- Playgrounds
Tips to Prevent Slips and Falls
- Keep the playing area clear by removing toys, rugs etc. from the floor
- Never use baby walkers
- Do not carry your baby in a walker chair
- Use a safety harness in prams and high chairs
- Always use a sensor light for stairs
- Use non-skid rubber mats in your bathroom
- Use a safety gate for stairs
- Do not allow your child to carry sharp objects while walking or running
- Install your furniture away from children
- Install window locks and window guards
- Do not leave a baby alone on a change table
Tips to Prevent Burns
- Keep matches, cigarette lighters, and fire-catching liquids away from children
- Install a fixed guard around all heaters, open fires and radiators
- Install a smoke alarm for safety
- Use a dry powder extinguisher in the kitchen
- Install a safety switch
- Use power boards instead of adapters
- Always test food temperature before feeding children
- Choose a cool-mist vaporizer
- Choose fire-resistant fabrics
- Don’t allow your children to play with fireworks
- Keep burning candles away from your children
- Keep space heater far away from flammable materials
- Teach your child to stop running, drop to the floor, cover their face with their hands and roll on the floor if their cloth catches fire
Tips to Prevent Scalds
- Keep play areas of children away from your kitchen
- Never keep hot drinks in front of children
- Keep children away from hot meals and liquids
- Never carry hot drinks when children are playing indoor
- When running a bath for your child, always test the temperature of the water
- Keep electrical cords from electric appliances away from children
Tips to Prevent Drowning
- Do not leave your child alone while bathing
- Keep a constant eye on your child when in and around water
- Empty water from buckets and wading pools after use
- Teach your child to swim between flags
- Always supervise your child actively at the public swimming pool
- Use shower instead of bathtubs
Tips to Prevent Poisoning
- Keep all medicine away from your children
- Put all medicines and chemicals away after use
- Store medicine in cupboards with a lock
- Clean your medicine cupboard regularly and throw away the expired medicines
- Do not take medicines in front of children
- Wash empty containers of liquid medicines before throwing them away
- Remove poisonous plants from your garden or around the house
- Teach your child not to touch any insects
- Install child-resistant caps on all household products
By considering the above tips, you can prevent your children from injuries. And in case your child has been injured to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to receive maximum possible compensation. It is advisable to speak a professional Pittsburgh attorney or lawyer to get the compensation you deserve.
