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-age children. Yet
you can prevent most major injuries!
At
age 5, your child is learning to do many things that can cause serious injury,
such as riding a bicycle or crossing a street. Although children learn fast,
they still cannot judge what is safe. You must protect your child. You can prevent
common major injuries by taking a few simple steps.
Bike
Safety
Your child
should always wear a helmet when riding a bike. Buy the helmet when you buy the
bike! Make sure your child wears a helmet every time he or she rides. A
helmet helps prevent head injuries and can save your child's life. Never
let your child ride a bike in the street. Your child is too young to ride in
the street safely.
Be
sure that the bike your child rides is the right size. Your child must be able
to place the balls of both feet on the ground when sitting on the seat with hands
on the handlebars. Your child's first bicycle should have coaster brakes. Five-year-olds
are often unable to use hand brakes correctly.
Street
Safety
Your child
is in danger of being hit by a car if he or she darts out into the street while
playing. Take your child to the playground or park to play. Show your child the
curb and teach him or her to always stop at the curb and never cross the street
without a grown-up. Water
Safety
Now is the
time to teach your child to swim. Even if your child knows how to swim, never
let him or her swim alone. Do
not let your child play around any water (lake, stream, pool, or ocean) unless
an adult is watching. NEVER let your child swim in canals or any fast-moving water.
Teach your child to never
dive into water unless an adult has checked the depth of the water. And when
on any boat, be sure your child is wearing a life jacket.
Fire
Safety
Household
fires are a threat to your child's life, as well as your own. Install smoke
alarms in your house, and test the batteries every month to make sure
they work. Change the batteries once a year. Teach
your child not to play with matches or lighters, and keep matches and lighters
out of your child's reach. Also, do not smoke in your home. Most fires are caused
by a lit cigarette that has not been put out completely.
Car
Safety
Car crashes
are the greatest danger to your child's life and health. The crushing forces
to your child's brain and body in a collision or sudden stop, even at low speeds,
can cause injuries or death. To prevent these injuries, correctly USE a car
safety seat or booster seat and seat belt EVERY TIME your child is in the
car. Your child should use a car safety seat or a booster seat until the lap belt
can be worn low and flat on the hips and the shoulder belt can be worn across
the shoulder rather than the face or neck (usually at about 80 pounds and 4 feet
9 inches tall). The safest place for all children to ride is the back seat.
Set a good example. Make sure you and other adults buckle up, too!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. Handguns
are especially dangerous. It is best to keep all guns out of the home. If
you choose to keep a gun, it should be kept unloaded and in a locked place separate
from the ammunition. Ask if the homes where your child visits or is cared for
have guns and how they are stored.
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 your child's
sake!
Safety
in a Kid's World
Dear Parent: Your child is old enough to start
learning how to prevent injuries. The games below are designed to help your child
think about safety. Read the messages with your child and talk about them together.
Then take this safety sheet home and post it 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.
Age-Related
Safety Sheets