While injuries that may happen to children are usually accidents, most of the time they are predictable and preventable. According to the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS), unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death of children and youth in Canada. CPS also states that 90% of these injuries could have been prevented. According to CPS, these events cause trips to the hospital due to unintentional injuries the most:
Falls:
- Window safety mechanisms
- Stair gates
- Baby walkers can be dangerous, ensure stability
Motor Vehicle Accidents:
- Keep children rear facing as long as possible
- Children 4 to 7 should use a booster seat
- The safest place for a child to sit is in the back seat!
Pedestrian/Cyclist safety:
- Education on proper crossing techniques
- Use of bicycle helmets
- Use appropriate bicycle pathways or lanes
Drowning:
- Use personal flotation devices
- Ensure adequate fencing around private pools
- Swimming lessons
Burn or Scald Prevention:
- Use safe cooking practices
- Ensure heat producing materials are child proof or out of reach
- Check smoke detectors regularly
Poisoning:
- Keep potentially poisonous items out of reach of children
- Example: medications, cleaning solutions, detergent pods...etc
- Do not ‘rebottle’ harmful substances such as bleach
Resources for Parents | |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | https://www.cdc.gov/safechild/ |
Sudbury District Health Unit | https://www.sdhu.com/health-topics-programs/safety/child-safety |
Sick Kids | http://www.sickkids.ca/traumaprogram/resources/injury-prevention/index.html |
Canadian Pediatric Society | https://cps.ca |
Car seat Clinics Sudbury | https://www.greatersudbury.ca/live/emergency-services/paramedic-services/community-outreach/child-car-seat-clinics/ |
In the event of an emergency, CALL 911! |