You instinctively want to protect your infant and young children from danger as a parent. However, you can’t always be with your child to keep them out of harm’s way. Being aware of the common injuries to watch out for will help you to better address safety and health concerns in your child’s environment.
1. Falls
Falls are a leading cause of non-fatal injuries in children. According to National Floor Safety Institute research, a fracture or broken bone occurs in one out of every twenty slip-and-fall accidents. While falls are most common on the playground, they can happen anywhere.
Other fall hazards include cluttered pathways, slippery bathtubs, baby walkers, elevated landings, windows, beds without railings, and stairs. Although falls are common for kids of all ages, newborns and toddlers are particularly prone to falls. If they fracture a bone, don’t worry, it takes between two to ten weeks for bone fractures to heal, according to Ventura Orthopedics.
There are, of course, many fall prevention best practices that can aid in lowering the risk of a severe injury. However, falls can still happen in an instant. Avoid overloading your kid’s backpacks or placing baskets in front of their bikes, as they can throw their balance off.
2. Pedestrian Accidents
With more drivers becoming distracted by smartphones, pedestrian accidents are on the rise. The most frequent reason kids get hit by cars is that youngsters often cross the street without looking, and drivers either fail to see them or can’t stop in time.
Most parents believe that their kids can cross the street on their own before they’re actually ready, but in reality, youngsters aren’t ready until they’re at least 10 years old. Young kids often forget to look both ways when crossing the road. Be cautious if you believe your child is ready to cross the street because excitement makes them forget safety lessons.
3. Sleep Accidents
The most common cause of mortality in infants between the ages of one month and one year is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). According to recent research, a baby in the care of a nanny, family member, or friend is more likely to die from being placed in a hazardous sleeping location and position. To help reduce the risk of SIDS and unintentional suffocation, parents should put these safe sleeping techniques into practice and spread the word about them to anybody watching their kid.
4. Accidental Impacts
Most children get bumped into frequently, especially if they participate in sports or have older siblings. These run-ins are often brought about by playing a bit too rough or becoming distracted. Some of the accidents that fall within this category include walking into some piece of furniture, door, or wall, being struck by an object such as a falling storage box or a baseball, or getting hit during sports such as baseball or softball lacrosse, soccer, or football. Every year, 5 million teeth are chipped or cracked while playing sports, according to Sports Health. 32% of all oral injuries in children are caused by sports.
5. Puncture and Cut Wounds
Many children accidentally cut or poke themselves while helping put in the yard or playing with friends. Most cuts and scrapes will throb and sting, but they usually heal quickly after being cleaned and bandaged. However, more severe wounds or piercings are rather typical, particularly in children in their middle childhood stage of development.
6. Foreign Bodies
Every child encounters a ‘foreign body’ at least once during their childhood. Curious children often get things stuck, whether it’s a sweet pea in the nose or a splinter in their fingers. Some cases are more serious than others. In most cases, a child will breathe in or consume something on their own. This may happen during mealtime or playtime when plenty of choking hazards are present.
Teach your kid to protect himself as he gets older and stay out of harm’s way. If they get hurt, stay composed and attend to their injuries. They’ll only get more stressed if they sense your panic.
