Did
you know that injuries are the greatest threat to the life and
health of your child? Injuries are the leading cause of death
of school-aged children. Yet you can prevent most major injuries
if you and your child take a few simple steps.
At age 10, children
will do more things away from home. They will spend more time
on a bike or in a car and will not see the need for adults
to watch over them. You must take charge; you must remind
your child of safety! It takes only a few steps to prevent
major, common injuries.
Firearm
Hazards
It is best
to keep all guns out of your home. Handguns are especially dangerous. If
you choose to keep a gun, store it unloaded and in a locked place, separate from
ammunition. Your child is in more danger of being shot by himself, his friends,
or a family member than of being injured by an intruder.
Ask if the homes
where your child visits have a gun and how it is stored. Talk
to your child about guns in school or on your streets. Find
out if your child's friends carry guns.
Sports Safety
At this age
your child may be playing baseball, soccer, or other sports.
Ask your doctor which sports are right for his or her age.
Be sure your child wears the protective equipment made
for that sport, such as shin pads, mouth guards, wrist
guards, eye protection, and helmets. Ask your child's coach
what is needed.
And Remember Car Safety
Your child must buckle the seat belt EVERY TIME he
or she rides in any car. Booster seats should be used until
the lap belt can be worn low and flat on your child's hips
and the shoulder belt can be worn across the shoulder rather
than the face or neck (usually at about 80 pounds and about
4 feet 9 inches tall). Remind your child to buckle up when
riding with others. Ask your child to remind you to buckle
up, too! Install shoulder belts in the back seat of your
car if they are not already there. Serious injuries can happen
to your child when a lap belt is used alone. The
safest place for all children to ride is in the back seat.
Bike Safety
Your child
may want to ride his or her bike farther away from home. Teach
your child the "Rules of the Road" and be sure your
child knows them. You must watch your child to be sure he
or she can handle a bike safely. Make sure your child always
wears a helmet while riding a bike. It is still very dangerous
for your child to ride at dusk or after dark. Make sure your
child brings in the bike as soon as the sun starts to set.
Would you be
able to help your child in case of an injury? Put emergency
numbers by or on your phone today. Learn first aid and CPR.
Be prepared.....for you child's sake!
Safety
in a Kid's World
Dear Parent: Your child is old enough to learn how to
prevent injuries. The games below are designed to help your
child think about safety. Print these pages. Read the messages
with your child and talk about them together. Then post this
Safety Sheet at home where everyone can see it.
It takes time to form a safety habit. Remind each other what
it says. Make safety a big part of your lives. 
