Childhood injuries are predictable and preventable, but in San Diego County, these unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among young children ages 1-5 years.
The Children’s Initiative Childhood Injury Prevention Program raises awareness and educates parents, caregivers and early childhood education staff on injury prevention strategies to make homes, automobiles and communities safer for children ages zero through five.
Here are a few tips for keeping children safe:
- Promote safe sleep: Babies should always sleep alone on their back and in a crib.
- Prevent falls: Install safety gates at the top and bottom of all stairs, install window guards, and ensure children wear properly fitted protective gear.
- Minimize lead exposure: Lead can seriously harm a child’s health. Keep your child away from old or chipped paint, wash your child’s hands and toys frequently, and ask your child’s doctor about testing for lead—especially if they are under the age of 2.
- Buckle up: Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the U.S. Ensure that children are properly buckled on every trip. https://www.nhtsa.gov/parents-and-caregivers
- Keep watch by the water: Drowning can happen in seconds and is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water.
For more safety information, visit www.thechildrensinitiative.org/injuryprevention