| Accidental Injuries |
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Being aware and involved makes a big difference in protecting your children from school-related injuries. Since most of us can’t be with our kids throughout the school day, Safe Kids recommends that you advocate for safer practices and teach your child how to protect him- or herself. Eliminate potential hazards: · Check playgrounds where your children play. Look for age-appropriate equipment and hazards such as rusted or broken equipment and dangerous surfaces. Report any hazards to the school or municipality. · Remove hood and neck drawstrings from all children’s outerwear to avoid strangulation hazards on playgrounds. · If your child is involved in a sports program, talk to the coordinator or coach to make sure the following are included: proper physical and psychological conditioning, appropriate safety equipment, a safe playing environment, adequate adult supervision, enforcement of safety rules, and an emergency medical plan. · Make sure children playing sports are appropriately grouped according to skill level, weight and physical maturity, especially for contact sports. Teach kids safety: · Teach children proper playground behavior: no pushing, shoving or crowding. Tell them what equipment is appropriate for their age levels. · Teach children to arrive at the bus stop early, stay out of the street and avoid horseplay, wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching the street, watch for cars, and avoid the driver’s blind spot. · Remind your children to stay seated at all times and keep their heads and arms inside the bus while riding.
· When exiting the bus, children should remember to wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, exit from the front using the handrail to avoid falls, and cross the street at least 10 feet (or 10 giant steps) in front of the bus. |