Childhood accidents/injuries Flashcards
Leading cause of US child deaths
MVAs
Risk Reduction for MVAs
Buckling children in age/size-appropriate car seats, booster seats & seat belts reduces the risk of serious and fatal injuries
Proper car seats for birth - ages 2-4
Rear facing car seat
* Back seat
* Until reaching the upper weight or height limits of the seat
* Many children can ride rear-facing until age 4*
Proper car seats for 2-4 up to at least 5
Forward facing car seats
* In the back seat
* Until at least age 5 or the upper weight or height limit of the seat
* Until reaching the upper weight or height limits of the seat**
Car seats ages 5 until seat belts fit properly:
- Once outgrowing a forward-facing seat
- Buckled in the back seat using belt positioning booster
seat until seat belts fit properly - Lap belt across the upper thighs (NOT stomach)
- Shoulder belt across the chest (NOT neck)
- Local laws vary*
- Properly buckled in the back seat = Best Protection
Kids <8 are not required to be in a booster seat if ≥____ inches tall
57 (utah rule)
Car Seats Once Seat Belts Fit without a Booster Seat:
- Children no longer need to use a booster seat once
seat belts fit them properly - Lap belt across the upper thighs (NOT stomach)
- Shoulder belt across the chest (NOT neck)
- Properly buckled in the back seat = Best Protection
Seat belt safety recommendations say to Keep children ages ___ & under, in the back seat
12
Pedestrian Safety prevention
- ↑ visibility at night
- Cross streets at the designated
crosswalk or intersection - Walk on sidewalks or paths
- If a sidewalks or path are not available,
use the shoulder, facing traffic
Injuries and deaths due to bicycles
- Males > Females
- 1/3 of crashes involve ETOH
- Most bicycle deaths occur in urban
- Intersections
- Non-intersection locations
Bicycle Safety prevention
- Bicycle helmets
- Bicycle helmet laws for children
(… & adults too) - ↑Visibility: Reflective & fluorescent clothing ↑
visibility of bicyclists at night - Lighting
- Front white lights
- Rear red lights
Drowning
- 1095 people die from unintentional drowning
- Top 3 cause of death through age 21
- More children 1 to 4 years die from
drowning than any other cause of death*
Drowning prevention
- Learn swimming basics
- ie floating & moving
- Learn Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Fences
- Life jackets
- Supervision (esp. bathtubs)
- Caution with breath holding: Hypoxic blackout
Burn prevention
- Smoke alarms
- Install & maintain alarms on every
floor & in every bedroom - Test monthly
- Escape plan
- Cooking safety
- Children require supervision using
stoves, ovens - Especially microwaves
- Water heaters
- Set thermostat <120° F
Foreign Body Aspiration (Choking) prevention
- Parent & caretaker education on how to avoid high-risk objects & foods
- Check for warning labels & recalls on children’s toys
- Recognize acute pulmonary obstruction
- Perform CPR or choking first aid
