November is Child Safety Month – Here’s What You Need to Know
Did you know that approximately 14,000 children under the age of 19 lose their lives each year in the US?
Further examining data from the Education Development Center indicates that approximately 8.7 million children visit the emergency department each year, and around 227,000 children are hospitalized. These are staggering statistics, and they are a parent’s worst nightmare. November is National Child Safety and Protection Month, created as such to help raise awareness about child injury statistics and to help educate parents on how to establish a safe environment for children.
What Parents Should Know About Keeping Their Kids Safe
Most child injuries can be prevented, whether they happen in the home or elsewhere.
Home safety tips
Safety around the home will certainly depend on the age of the child. Younger children have a tendency to reach for anything and, unfortunately, put it in their mouths. That is why it is imperative for parents to:
- Keep all chemicals, cleaning supplies, and medicines locked away or on higher shelves, and for these items to be stored right away after use.
- Only use medications and other containers that have childproof lids. Do not use regular containers for poisonous items.
- Put the poison control number and your cell phone and posted somewhere where everybody can see it.
- Ensure that electrical outlets are covered with childproof covers.
- Secure all appliances and furniture to the wall so they cannot tip over.
Water safety tips
If you regularly have your child around water, whether it be the ocean, river, lake, or some other body of water, you need to make sure that you never leave your children unattended. If you have a pool in your backyard, you need to make sure you have the appropriate and legally required gates to keep children from accessing them without permission.
The CDC says that more children ages one through four lose their lives from drowning more than any other cause of death in that age range.
Bicycle safety tips
Did you know that children under the age of 16 in Georgia are required to wear a bicycle helmet? Helmets are incredibly effective at preventing serious face, head, and brain injuries in children. Parents should find a helmet that fits their child properly and swap the helmet out for a different one as their child grows.
Parents should also teach their children how to use the appropriate hand signals and that they need to follow the same traffic rules as vehicles, including stopping at stop signs and stop lights and yielding the right of way to others.
We encourage parents to ensure their children wear brightly colored clothing when riding their bicycles and include reflectors on the clothing if the child will need to ride in the evening or at night time.
Car safety tips
Vehicle accidents are a leading risk factor to a child’s safety. It is imperative that parents follow Georgia law when it comes to ensuring their child uses a car seat or booster seat. In this state, any child under the age of eight who is less than 57 inches tall must ride in the back seat of the car. Children under eight should either be in a car or booster seat suitable for their age and height. Children, regardless of age, should always have their seat belts on, as is required of every passenger in a vehicle.
Internet safety tips
One of the biggest dangers that children face is online predators. It is critical for parents to have open conversations with their children about the risks of Internet access. Good safety rules for parents to establish include teaching their children never to publish photos or personal information on public websites.
Parents should let children know what to look for when it comes to strange messages from possible Internet predators. One of the most important aspects of this process is to ensure children understand that they will not be in trouble if someone tries to solicit them. Make sure your children know that they can come to you and tell you what is going on.
Parents, we encourage you to regularly check your child’s devices and look out for any apps or browsing history that could indicate your child is exploring information or individuals that may not be good for their health. If your child has been injured due to someone’s negligence, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Atlanta personal injury attorneys.