As your child grows, so does their curiosity. From the day we're born we're drawn to explore and investigate - activities that can lead to serious injury if done in the wrong place with the wrong items. While you can't be everywhere with your child at once, you can take steps toward general child injury prevention.
Safety Inside the House
Safety starts at home, and that means removing obvious hazards like open pools, firearms, and any heavy machinery. But there are several everyday hazards you need to watch depending on the age of the child. If you have very young children, make sure all medications and chemicals are kept in locked cabinets at all times.
Watch websites like Recall.gov for notices of recalls for child toys and baby items that could pose a hazard to your little ones. Remove these items immediately once a recall has been announced and follow the manufacturer's steps for repair or replacement.
Consider covering electrical outlets and installing baby gates to keep crawling or walking toddlers from staircases and other dangerous areas. Keep young children out of the basement, garage, and any workshop or shed unless supervised.
If your child likes to help in the kitchen, early lessons on knife safety and avoiding burns in the kitchen are a must. Start them out with simple tasks like stirring the bowl or washing off fruits and vegetables.
Safety at School and Playgrounds
If your child walks or bikes to the school or anywhere in the neighborhood, make sure s/he understands the biking rules in your area. At least once a year, do a helmet check to ensure the helmet and safety gear still fit correctly and works without any signs of damage.
Remind your child only to take the routes you've discussed as safe routes to school. If you live in an area where severe weather is common, have a contingency plan in place for your child to get to and from school on bad weather days without walking or biking.
While most playgrounds are designed for safety, accidents still happen. Remind your child only to wear secure, closed-toed sneakers with a good grip when climbing on playground equipment. Avoid trips to the park when it's damp or raining to prevent slip and falls.
Safety Anywhere
Children should start learning about dangers at an early age. Teaching fire safety will help them understand the danger of open flames and typically hot hazards like stoves and ovens.
Make sure you've talked to your child about the dangers of climbing on items that are not designed for climbing to avoid fall injuries. Also, teaching your child that running is an activity for outside in open areas only.
There should be no running in the following areas.
- Crossing streets
- Indoors
- Near hazards like pools
Finally, basic first aid knowledge like what to do for a serious cut, potentially broken bone, or concussion can help your child know when they need to seek help. Older children should have access to a cell phone to call you or 911 for help when they are away from home.
Younger children should memorize your home number and cell numbers, as well as know how and when to call police, EMS and fire rescue.
Child Injuries Can Happen at Any Age: We're Here to Help
The Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, P.C. is here to help Georgia parents seek compensation for the losses their family suffers as the result of a child injury.
We could help you if your child was injured because of one of the following circumstances.
- Unsafe playground equipment
- Negligence of a daycare worker
- A distracted driver
- A dangerous product
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment for a FREE consultation regarding your legal options after a serious accident. Remember, as a parent you must be the advocate for your child! Contact child injury lawyers at 404-474-0804.