How to keep children of all ages safe

New and experienced parents alike must keep many things in mind when welcoming a child into their homes. Babies do not come with instruction manuals, but kids of all ages need their parents to perform various functions, including keeping them safe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says unintentional injuries, or those that result from burns, falls, poisoning, road traffic, and drowning, are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in the United States. But even injuries that do not result in fatalities can still be serious. An estimated 9.2 million children per year visit hospital emergency rooms for unintentional injuries. For children 12 months old and younger, falls account for more than half of the nonfatal injuries.

Child safety is not an issue to take lightly, and parents and other caregivers must remain up-to-date on the latest guidelines regarding safeguarding children. The following are some safety tips and areas of concern parents may want to pay particular attention to.

FALLS

As children learn to move around their world, stumbles are to be expected. However, there are steps parents can take to minimize injuries. t ,FFQ CBCJFT BOE ZPVOH LJET TUSBQQFE and secured when using infant seats, swings, car seats, and strollers. Always keep the devices close to the ground, and not placed on top of a table or other furniture. t *OTUBMM TBGFUZ HBUFT BU UIF UPQ BOE CPUtom of all staircases. t *OTUBMM XJOEPX HVBSET UP QSFWFOU XJOdow falls. t 7JTJU POMZ UIPTF QMBZHSPVOET UIBU IBWF installed shock-absorbing surfaces beneath the play equipment.

WATER ACCIDENTS

A child can drown in mere inches of water. As a result, parents must be extremely diligent to prevent accidents. t /FWFS MFBWF B DIJME VOBUUFOEFE BSPVOE any source of water, even for just a few seconds. t &NQUZ BMM UVCT DPOUBJOFST BOE LJEEJF pools of water immediately after use. t 6TF MPDLT UP TFBM UPJMFU MJET BOE LFFQ doors to bathrooms closed. t *OTUBMM GFODFT BSPVOE IPNF QPPMT Gates should be self-closing and selflatching. t "MXBZT UFTU UIF UFNQFSBUVSF PG CBUI water to ensure it is comfortable and will not scald a child.

TOYS

Toys are a part of a child’s life, and they should bring joy, not danger. t ,FFQ B DIJME T BHF JO NJOE XIFO QVSchasing a toy or game. t 4NBMM UPZ QBSUT DBO QPTF BT DIPLJOH hazards for young children, so inspect toys frequently for chips. t &BDI ZFBS JO UIF 6OJUFE 4UBUFT NPSF than 2,800 kids are treated in emergency rooms after swallowing button CBUUFSJFT ,FFQ UIF GPMMPXJOH BXBZ from young children: remote controls, singing greeting cards, digital scales, watches, hearing aids, thermometers, children’s toys, calculators, key fobs, t-light candles, and flashing holiday jewelry or decorations.

RISKS FOR OLDER KIDS

As children age, the ways to protect them change. The National Children’s Advocacy Center suggests these guidelines. t 1BSFOUT TIPVME MFBSO BMM UIFZ DBO BCPVU their children’s activities and friends. t 5FBDI DIJMESFO UP SFGVTF BOZUIJOH GSPN strangers. t 5IF CVEEZ TZTUFN JT B HPPE JEFB XIFO walking home from school or other events. t .BLF TVSF LJET LOPX UIBU TUSBOHFST DBO be found online, too. Teach kids to avoid sharing personal information with individuals they meet on social media. t %FWFMPQ B GBNJMZ TBGFUZ QMBO GPS NFFUJOH VQ XIFO PVUTJEF PG UIF IPNF .$$