Help Prevent Childhood Injuries – Part II

Sometimes it seems that lists of potential accidents children can have are endless.  One of the most nerve-wracking parts of being a parent is trying to make sure that your little ones are safe each and every day.  What you can do is take steps to make sure that your children are safe in the car, around the house, and when out on the playground.  Below is a list of safety tips, the second article in our library on how to prevent childhood injuries.  We believe it is important to be reminded of how easy it is to prevent injuries and accidents with proper supervision and safeguards.

Buckle your kids up in age-appropriate restraints

One of the most important things you can do for your children is to make sure that they are safely strapped into an age-appropriate child restraint every time you drive.  In Texas, the safety belt laws require that all passengers under the age of five or less then 36 inches tall must ride in a safety seat that has been approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  Failure to follow this law can result in a fine of $100 to $200.

Infants should ride in approved infant or convertible seats until they are at least 1 year old and until they weight 20 pounds.  Keep in mind that many experts believe that children should ride rear facing as long as possible, as young children are more vulnerable in a crash and rear facing is safest.  Once your child is ready to face forward, they should ride in a forward-facing convertible seat until they are 40 pounds – or more if the seat is rated to a higher weight.  When your child is too big for the convertible safety seat, they can graduate into a booster seat.

Drive carefully, even when kids are not in the car

Children are known for following adults around, especially those they love.  Toddlers are especially likely to follow a favorite parent out of the house, which can be extremely dangerous if you don’t know they’re there.  Sadly, every year many children are injured or killed when a parent, friend, or stranger accidentally backs over them.  In fact, the danger posed to children by backover accidents is such an issue in the United States that on February 28, 2008 President Bush signed the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act into law.  This act is named after little Cameron Gulbransen, who was accidentally backed over by his father in 2002.

Always supervise children when they play outside

Any time your children play outside make sure that they are being supervised by a responsible adult.  According to Safe Kids USA, playground accidents are a leading cause of injury in elementary school aged children.  Most playground accidents are not deadly, however they can cause serious injuries or permanent disabilities.  Make sure that small children play on age and size appropriate equipment that is low to the ground, as each year many are hurt by climbing too high or by falling from monkey bars.

Check the surfaces of the play areas where your child plays – Safe Kids USA states that the ground should be covered 12 inches deep with shredded rubber, hardwood fiber mulch or fine sand, extending at least six feet in all directions around the equipment.  Not only that, but surfaces should be free from dangerous objects like glass or nails.  Just keep in mind that nothing takes the place of vigilant supervision.

Be alert for potential poisons

There are many common household substances, cleansers, vitamin supplements, and medications that can be deadly to children.  Even seemingly simple substances like iron pills, Tylenol, vitamins, mouthwash, toothpaste, and alcohol can injure or kill a child.  Make sure that you store all dangerous items in a child-proof cabinet or well out of a child’s reach, and teach children to stay out of other people’s purses or bags, which could contain dangerous pills or other substances.  If you ever suspect that your child has ingested something they should not of, don’t hesitate to call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.

Select your child’s caregivers carefully

When looking for a caregiver for your child, make sure you check references, find out about sitter training or CPR classes they may have taken, and above all trust your instincts.  Take the time to watch any potential caregiver interact with children, and observe if they have a sense of humor with the children, if they are honest, responsible, warm, patient, and if they use common sense.  Whenever you leave your child with a caregiver be sure to leave them written instructions about caring for your child, and always let them know where you will be and leave contact information.

For more safety tips, visit the Texas Children’s Center for Childhood Injury Prevention website.  There you can find a number of fact and advice sheets to help parents and caregivers keep their little ones safe.  Their website is a good source of advice and tips for keeping your babies and children safe, both in and out of the house.

No matter how careful you are or how many precautions you take, it is always possible that your baby or child could be injured in an accident through no fault of your own.  The Houston based law firm of Vujasinovic & Beckcom cares about you and your child’s safety.  We are not intimidated by powerful manufacturers and insurance companies looking out for their own best interests.  If you or someone you love has been injured or killed or hurt by a defective or dangerous product, contact the attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom today

Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713.224.7800
Fax: 713.224.7801

Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020
Houston, TX 77002

Phone: 713.224.7800
Fax: 713.224.7801