Childhood Injuries

Playing It Safe: How to Protect Your Children Accidental injuries kill and cripple more kids than all diseases combined.     Surprised? Nearly 7,000 children die from accidents each year – with another 14-million treated for injuries! Tragically, 120,000 of these kids are permanently disabled every year.     As parents themselves, attorneys Scott Goodwin and Jim Scieszka have dedicate this issue of the Advisor to helping you protect your precious children from injury. Our goal is to alert you to these hidden dangers and the best ways to avoid them:

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Michigan Childhood Injuries Lawyers, Knee jury Claims, Dog Bite Attorney, Bike Accidents, Dog Bite Lawyer

Trampolines
Injuries from backyard trampolines have doubled over the last five years, to about 60,000 a year. A recent article in Pediatrics magazine warned "Children shouldn't use them at home, and their sale for private recreational use should be banned." The study showed 93% of the injuries occurred at home, with the majority of kids colliding with another person, landing improperly or falling off. Best tips to reduce injury? Constant supervision, no gymnastic stunts, and only one person allowed on at a time.

Playgrounds
Strangulation is the cause of most playground deaths, while falls account for 80% of the 220,000 injuries per year. A survey of Michigan playgrounds found 88% lacked adequate surface protection – less than the recommended nine inches of loose fill or wood chips. Also, 65% had slides and climbers higher than the recommended maximum of six feet. To be safe, avoid play areas built on hard grass or asphalt, and look for hazards where clothing can get caught and strangle a child.

In-line Skates According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 72,000 children are treated for broken bones and head injuries from roller blades each year. Most accidents involve fractures to arms and legs, and two-thirds are suffered by kids without protective gear. Insist that your child wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards. Of course, never roller blade or skate board in the streets or at night. Bikes More than 200 children a year die from bike accidents – more than half from head injuries. Another 500,000 cyclists require emergency room treatment! Any child old enough to ride a bike or tricycle needs a helmet. Kids who ride along with adults in bike seats also need to wear proper helmets. Best tip? Always buy a correctly-sized CPSC approved helmet to go with each bike you purchase.

Dog Bites
Last year insurers paid more thnt $1 billion in claims to victims of dog bites, with over 830,000 attacks requiring medical attention. Tell your kids to never approach an unknown dog, especially one that's tied up or confined. Never tease a dog; it encourages aggressive behavior. Don't run past a dog; his instinct is to chase. If a dog threatens you, remain calm and motionless until he leaves. If you're knocked down, curl into a ball and lie still.

Shallow Water Thousands of kids are hurt each year by diving head first into deceptively-shallow swimming pools or murky waters at a lake. Hitting the bottom or hidden rocks injures the spinal cord, often resulting in paralysis for life. Best rule? Never dive if you don't know the depth. Personal Watercraft More than half of Michigan's 700 boating accidents each year are caused by young, inexperienced riders on "jet skis." Before renting or operating these powerful, unstable, 60mph machines, follow these tips: Take an instruction course, wear a life jacket, and watch for swimmers and water-skiers nearby. Better yet, no solo rides until age 18 or older.

Alcohol and Drugs
Half of all kids in the sixth grade report having been pressured to drink by their classmates. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) report that one third of students say their parents don't set clear rules regarding alcohol and drugs. To avoid tragedy, talk early and talk often about substance abuse. Make it clear that alcohol is not an option until age 21, and drugs at any age are just plain stupid. Kids are never too young to be vulnerable, so watch for signs of alcohol or drug use, like dropping grades, switching friends, missing cash, and personality changes.

Firearms
In 1995 there were 813 gun-related deaths of children under 15. This year's headlines were filled with schoolchildren killed by other students using their parents' guns. To protect your kids, all weapons and ammunition must be locked in a specially designed gun safe at all times. Even some weapons called "toys" are dangerous, including BB guns, pellet guns, and air rifles. Also, we strongly recommend against slingshots, lawn darts, fireworks, and other toy projectiles.

For more info, click on the following headings:

"Air Bags Versus Your Child"

"Protecting Our Little Ones"

"Child Safety Checklist"
 

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