Unintentional Injury is the leading cause of death in children age 1 – 18 in the United States, according to 2022 CDC (US Center for Disease Control) data. More than one third of unintentional injuries to children occur at home. The common causes of home-injury deaths are fire and burns, suffocation, drowning, choking, falls, poisoning, and firearms.
How do I prevent injury to my children at home? Use common sense while looking around your home. Pay special attention to what your children see at their eye level. Lock up Poisons and Medications. Turn off objects that can become hot. Do not leave standing water (bathtubs, etc.) where small children can enter. Lock up your guns and ammo.
You can take precautions to make your house safe, but the most important thing to remember is to watch young kids at all times. Supervision is the best way to prevent injuries. Accidents still happen, so it is important to be prepared. Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the age-appropriate Heimlich maneuver. Keep the following numbers near the phone (for yourself and caregivers): poison-control number: 1-800-222-1222; doctor’s number; parents’ work and cell phone numbers; neighbors’ or nearby relative’s number (if you need someone to watch other kids in case of an emergency). Make a first-aid kit and keep emergency instructions inside. Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and keep the batteries fresh.