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!
At
age 6, your child will become more independent. He or she will be able to do more
things that are dangerous. Your child will try to prove that he or she is grown
up. But children still aren't good at judging sound, distance, or the speed of
a moving car at this age. Your child can learn a few simple things to do for protection,
but you must still be in charge of his or her safety.
Fire
Safety
Make
an escape plan in case of fire in your home. Your fire department can tell
you how. Teach your child what to do when the smoke alarm rings. Practice what
you and your child would do if you had a fire. Do
not smoke in your home. Most home fires are caused by a lit cigarette that has
not been put out completely.
Install smoke alarms
on every level in your house, especially in furnace and sleeping
areas, and test the alarm every month. It is best to use smoke
alarms that use long-life batteries, but if you do not, change
the batteries once a year.
Firearm
Hazards
Children in homes
where guns are present are in more danger of being shot by themselves,
their friends, or family members than of being injured by an intruder.
It is best to keep all guns out of the home. Handguns are especially
dangerous. If you choose to keep a gun, keep it unloaded and
in a locked place, with ammunition locked separately. Ask if the
homes where your child visits or is cared for have guns and how
they are stored.
Bike
Safety
Protect
your child from bad head injuries or even death. Make sure
your child wears a properly fitted, approved helmet every time
she rides a bike. Never let your child ride in the street.
Your child is too young to ride in the street safely!
Street
Safety
Never let
your child play near the street. Your child may dart out into traffic without
thinking. The park or playground is the best place to play. Begin to teach your
child safe street habits. Teach your child to stop at the curb, then look
to the left, to the right, and back to the left again. Teach your child never
to cross the street without a grown-up.
And
Remember Car Safety
Your child must
now use a booster seat in the car. Always check to be sure
that he or she is correctly restrained in the booster seat before
you start the car. Your child should use a booster seat until
the lap belt can be worn low and flat on the hips and shoulder
belt can be worn across the shoulder rather than the face or neck
(usually at about 4 feet 9 inches tall and between 8 and 12 years
old). The safest place for all children, even through school age,
is in the back seat of the car. Set a good example. Make sure
you and other adults buckle up, too!
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.
