Child Injury Protection
Motor Vehicle Safety
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury related deaths for children ages 14 and under.
• Always ride buckled up in the back seat in a child-safety or booster seat.
• Learn and practice school bus safety rules.
Fire & Burn Prevention
• If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, cover your face and roll over and over until the flames are out. Cool the burn with cool, clear water and call 9-1-1.
• Practice home fire escape drills at least twice yearly.
• Test your smoke alarms once a month by pushing the "test" button.
• Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year.
• If your alarm sounds, get out and stay out.
Choking, Suffocation & Strangulation Prevention
Every year, hundreds of children in the United States die as a result of suffocation and choking.
• Suffocation results from being enclosed in something that blocks the intake of air.
• Choking results when someone swallows something that obstructs the airway.
• Strangulation results when some one's airway is compressed.
Keep all poisonous materials out of the sight and reach of children. Most bathroom medicine chests are not safe places for medicine storage.
• Children should only take medications from an adult they know and trust.
• Post the poison control center phone number near all phones.
• Identify any poison hazards in your home and take appropriate safety precautions.
• Children should always tell an adult if someone finds poison.
Unintentional falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries resulting in emergency room visits for people of all ages.
• Stay away from open windows.
• Avoid playing on stairs and escalators.
• Learn and practice safe play rules.
• Play on soft play surfaces.
Firearm Injury Prevention
Children are curious by nature and eagerly explore their environment. Nearly all childhood unintentional shooting deaths occur in or around the home. Most of these shooting deaths involve guns that have been kept loaded and easily accessible to children.
• Tell an adult immediately if you find or see a gun.
• Stay away from guns and bullets.
Bike & Pedestrian Safety
Head injuries are the most serious type and are the most common cause of death among bicyclists. Bicycle helmet use can significantly reduce these injuries. Additionally, approximately 1,000 children are killed annually in pedestrian related incidents.
• Learn and practice street crossing rules.
• Learn and practice bike safety rules.
• Wear a helmet every time you ride.
• See and be seen. Ride with, not against the flow of traffic.
More information about child safety initiatives may be found at the website for the National Child Safety Council.