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How To Keep Kids Safe From Common Childhood Injuries

Bumps, scrapes and bruises are part of being a kid, but most serious childhood injuries can be avoided through a combination of safety measures, protective equipment, child-proofing and actively attending to your ever-curious tot.

Elisse Gabriel Senior Writer & Editor

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), injuries are the leading cause of death in children ages 19 and younger. Luckily, most childhood injuries can be prevented.

In this article we will discuss:

Helmet safety
Burn prevention
Dental injuries
Drowning prevention
Passenger safety
Playground safety
Poisoning prevention
Steep falls
Safety essentials for kids

Here are simple ways to keep your children as safe as possible and free from serious harm:

Helmet safety

Whether your child is biking or scootering, skateboarding or skiing, horseback riding or roller skating, wearing a helmet significantly reduces the risk of brain and head injuries. Make sure you find a helmet that’s snug but not constricting, with a sturdy outer shell, interior padding and a buckle that comfortably secures under your child’s chin without pinching or slipping. A decorative helmet like Micro Kickboard’s Scootersaurus or Unicorn will help motivate your child to put it on and wear it consistently.

Burn prevention

From electrical outlets and radiators to boiling water and ignited stoves, hot liquids and appliances can easily burn tender skin. Make sure bath water is a comfortable temperature by checking it with your hand before placing your child in the bath. Avoid holding your child while drinking hot beverages, since drips and spills can scald delicate skin. Keep hot irons — along with their cords — out of reach. Plug electric outlets and block access to the stove and radiators whenever possible. While cooking, turn the handles of your pots and pans towards the rear of the stove and do not, under any circumstances, leave the stove unattended.

Dental injuries

According to the ADA, athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer harm to their teeth when not wearing a mouth guard. Children participating in sports benefit immensely from wearing a mouth guard, which are easily accessible these days in a wide variety of sizes. For little ones who are less steady on their feet, make sure you pad sharp corners and table edges, which can also lead to dental injuries.

Drowning prevention

If you have a swimming pool or live near a body of water, make sure you have a gate or barrier to prevent your child from entering those areas independently. Never leave your child unattended in the bathroom or bathtub, even if they seem safely propped up. Since bathtubs can be very slippery, place anti-skid strips on the bottom of the tub or a non-toxic bath mat. Lastly, keep bathroom doors closed to prevent your little one from entering.

Passenger safety

Car seats and buckling up can make a lifesaving difference while traveling in a car. Infants should be in rear-facing safety seats as long as possible, then transition to forward-facing seats until approximately age four. When they outgrow their car seats, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children sit on belt-positioning booster seats until around the age of eight, then use lap and shoulder seat belts. They also recommend children younger than age 13 ride in the rear seat of vehicles for added protection.

Playground safety

Playgrounds are often busy and filled with bustling energy, so set some ground rules with your child before arriving. Make sure your child avoids pushing or roughhousing on slides, seesaws, swings and jungle gyms, and patiently takes turns. Before jumping off a swing or slide, make sure there’s no one in the way. Instruct your child to land feet first, with knees slightly bent. Avoid equipment that’s wet and slippery or hot to the touch, as it can burn exposed skin.

Poisoning prevention

Keep medications, alcohol, toiletries and cleaning products out of reach at all times. Add safety latches to under-sink cabinets, medicine cabinets, garage cabinets and anywhere you store hazardous liquids. Also, keep medicines and cleaning fluids in their original containers to ensure your child doesn’t confuse them with food or drink.

Steep falls

Sliding gates are a must-have for the top of stairs, entryways, landings and other areas where a misstep can lead to a tumble. Make sure your child has not reached the stage where they can climb out of the crib. If so, it’s time to transition to a bed to prevent falls and ensure nighttime safety. While playing outside, try to avoid uneven pavement, unstable rocks or steep hills that can make walking challenging for toddlers.

Accidents happen when we least expect them, even to children of the most vigilant parents. But there are a host of actions we can take to ensure our children’s overall safety. Keep a first aid kid at the ready for times when the inevitable bumps and bruises occur — and remember to be kind to yourself, too. As parents, we’re doing the best we can, and most of the time are just flying by the seat of our pants. So buckle in, keep your eyes open and enjoy the ride. And remember to take plenty of deep breaths along the way.