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Injury is the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults age 14 and under. Not wearing bicycle helmets, improper use of electrical appliances by adults, young children playing with fire and unintentional poisonings are just a few of the hazards waiting to hurt children in the place where they should be the safest -- their homes. The causes and consequences of injuries vary considerably by age and developmental level, reflecting differences in the child's ability to learn and understand about what is around them. Their ability to move around their environment also changes what should be considered "safe." Parents are often advised to do many things to keep their kids safe and prevent unnecessary injuries. I think that although many parents understand the need to be mindful of their children's safety, they still often wonder if they really need to do everything that is recommended. Do you really need locks on your cabinets, covers on electrical outlets, or a gate around your pool? Can your kids be too safe? Personally I think that you can never be too safe. That doesn't mean that your children have to wear pads and a helmet at all times, but the more chances you take, the more likely your children will get hurt at some time. It is important to remember that accidents (unintentional injuries) are the leading cause of death for children over age 1 years (and the 7th leading cause of death for children under a year old). Even though unintentional injuries is a better term than accidents, it is even better to call these preventable injuries, since very often (but unfortunately not always) they can be prevented with the proper safety measures. Here are the leading causes of death for children age 1 to 19 years in 1999: 1. Unintentional Injury (11,677 deaths) 2. Homicide (2,901 deaths) 3. Malignant Neoplasms (2,175 deaths) 4. Suicide (1,859 deaths) 5. Congenital Anomalies (1,199 deaths) 6. Heart Disease (923 deaths) Keeping your house safe and child-friendly means having a number of safety items on hand. And what about a big hazard, appliances? Preventing falls is not always easy. Toddlers and young children often move quickly. Their excitement about their mobility and their lack of experience can make them unaware of dangers, such as stairs or hills. Children between 4 and 5 years of age anticipate many dangers but may not have the physical skills to successfully avoid accidents. You can help prevent young children from falling by putting up stairway barriers, monitoring their play area, and providing stable play equipment. Choking Children between the ages of 2 and 5 years can easily choke on everyday food and objects. Your child still needs your supervision, even though he or she may be able to eat independently. You can help prevent choking by taking basic precautions in how you prepare foods and by teaching your child safe eating habits. Strangulation A variety of household items can strangle a young child. Make sure loose cords, objects, and furniture do not pose strangling risks. The following suggestions can help you reduce potential hazards. -Keep cords for blinds and drapes out of reach. Attach cords to mounts that hold them taut and wrap them around wall brackets. -Cords with loops should be cut and equipped with safety tassels. -Do not use accordion-style gates. Babies or young children can get their heads trapped in the gate and may strangle. -Make sure furniture does not have cutout portions or other areas that can trap your child's head. In addition to these precautions, learn first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Knowing these skills can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.
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