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Safety And Prevention

1 to 2 Years: Safety for Your Child
Did you know that injuries are the leading cause of death of children younger than 4 years in the United States? Most of these injuries can be prevented.
1 to 4 Years, From (Part 1): Framingham Safety Survey
1 to 4 Years, From (Part 2): Framingham Safety Survey
10 to 12 Years, From: Framingham Safety Survey
10 Years: Safety for Your Child
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 if you and your child take a few simple steps.
2 to 4 Years: Safety for Your Child
TIPP SHEETS: Injuries are the leading cause of death in children younger than 4 years in the United States, and most of these injuries can be prevented. Firearms in the home, poisons, falls, burns, drowning, and poor safety practices while driving with your child in a car all pose serious threats. These issues should be approached with increased caution.
5 to 9 Years, From: Framingham Safety Survey
5 Years: Safety for Your Child
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!
6 to 12 Months: Safety for Your Child
Did you know that hundreds of children younger than 1 year die every year in the United States because of injuries — most of which can be prevented?
6 Years: Safety for Your Child
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!
8 Years: Safety for Your Child
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 injuries!
A Guide to Children's Dental Health
The road to a bright smile begins long before the first tooth appears. Parents play a big part in helping their children develop healthy teeth. Early monitoring by your child's doctor and dentist is important. (See "What is a pediatric dentist?")
A Guide to Safety Counseling in Office Practice
TIPP SHEETS: This guide describes The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP) handout collection, including a safety counseling schedule, instructions for optimizing use of TIPP sheets, instructions for the Framingham Safety Surveys, counseling guidelines, and other resources for safety and prevention.
A Guide to Your Child’s Medicines
Giving medicine in the right way can help your child feel better and get well. However, medicine information and labels can be confusing. Read on for information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about prescription and over-the-counter medicines, how to give medicine in the right way, and how to prevent medicine mistakes.
A Parent's Guide to Water Safety
Drowning is one of the top causes of injury and death in children. Children can drown in pools, rivers, ponds, lakes, or oceans. They can even drown in a few inches of water in bathtubs, toilets, and large buckets.
About Bicycle Helmets
You should only buy a helmet that meets the bicycle helmet safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Any helmet meeting these standards is labeled. Check the inside.
Air Bag Safety
An air bag can save your life. However, air bags and young children are a dangerous combination. The following information will help keep you and your children safe:
Anesthesia and Your Child: Information for Parents
Any time a child requires a hospital visit, it can cause anxiety for both a parent and the child. This especially may be the case when the visit involves any type of procedure that might require anesthesia. Examples of such procedures are surgery, medical imaging, and certain tests to examine the stomach or intestines. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about anesthesia.
Antibiotics and Your Child
Parents need to know that using antibiotics when they are not the right medicine will not help and may even cause harm to children.
Arts and Crafts
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Parents and teachers should make sure that all art supplies are non-toxic and safe for children. Dangers include lead-based paints and toxic fumes. Children should always be supervised while doing arts and crafts projects.
ASDs Family Handout—Medications and Your Child
Medications are not the primary treatment for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Medications have not been shown to directly improve language or social skills. However, medications may help with behaviors that get in the way of progress in your child's intervention program. Such behaviors include
ASDs Family Handout—The Medical Home for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Parents, pediatricians, and other health care professionals are encouraged to work together so that all of the medical and nonmedical needs of children and youth are met. This partnership is at the core of what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls the medical home. Medical home is an approach primary care practices can use to provide comprehensive and compassionate care. This approach helps coordinate the medical care and other services your child needs into an integrated overall plan for your child's health. Because of the effectiveness of this approach and the benefits that patients receive under this care model, the AAP and other medical organizations have endorsed the medical home as an important part of caring for individuals with lifelong conditions. It is important for families and clinicians to feel like they have a constructive partnership for the care of the child.
ASDs Family Handout—Wandering Off (Elopement)
This is the tendency for an individual to try to leave the safety of a responsible person's care or a safe area, which can result in potential harm or injury. This might include running off from adults at school or in the community, leaving the classroom without permission, or leaving the house when the family is not looking. This behavior is considered common and short-lived in toddlers, but it may persist in children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Children with ASDs have challenges with social and communication skills and safety awareness. This makes wandering a potentially dangerous behavior.
Asthma Triggers
Things that cause asthma (AZZ-muh) attacks or make asthma worse are called triggers. Asthma triggers can be found in your home, your child's school, child care, and other people's homes.
Asthma-Friendly Schools
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: There are a number of ways your child's school can be more asthma-friendly. Be sure to find out if your child's school maintains good indoor air quality, reduces indoor air irritants, and that a school nurse is on duty. Have your child carry their asthma medication with them during the day and have them receive an annual flu shot so classmates do not worsen their condition.
Babysitting Reminders
Parents should: Meet the siiter and check references and training in advance. | Be certain the sitter has had first aid training and knows CPR. | Be sure the sitter is at least 13 years old and mature enough to handle common emergencies.
Backpack Safety
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: These tips can help parents manage their child's school bag to protect their posture and back health.
Bathroom Safety
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in the house for small children. Be sure to take extra steps to child-proof your bathroom in order to prevent injury.
Bicycle Safety: Myths and Facts
Learning to ride a bike is a developmental milestone in the life of a child. The bicycle, a child's first vehicle, is a source of pride and a symbol of independence and freedom. Yet all too often children are seriously injured, or even killed, when they fail to follow basic bicycle safety rules. The following is a list of common bicycle safety myths, coupled with the correct information you need to teach your children about safe bike riding. These facts will help you and your children make every bike ride safe.
Biking (Care of the Young Athlete)
Biking is a fun way for children of all ages to get active and stay fit. Most children learn to ride a tricycle at around 3 years of age. Between 4 and 7 years of age most children learn to ride a bike. However, remember that each child is different and will learn to ride a bike at his or her own pace.
Birth to 6 Months: Safety for Your Child
Did you know that hundreds of children younger than 1 year die every year in the United States because of injuries — most of which could be prevented?
Bites and Stings
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Mosquitoes, biting bugs, and ticks can make children miserable and can also carry diseases. Make sure to use bug repellent in the summer months, but be sure to use it properly and read all labels prior to use.
Bullying
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: If you discover your child is being bullied, teach your child to remain calm and to have the courage to walk away from a fight. Talk to a teacher about the bully, and encourage your child to develop strong friendships. Children with loyal friends are less likely to be bullied.
Bullying: It's not ok
CONNECTED KIDS: Bullying is when one child picks on another child again and again. Usually children who are being bullied are either weaker or smaller, are shy, and generally feel helpless. Bullying most commonly takes place at school, when adults are not watching, or through email or instant messages. Whether your child is the one being bullied, doing the bullying, or simply a bystander, there are a number of measures you can take as a parent to improve their social skills and decrease their involvement in this detrimental practice.
Burn Prevention and Treatment
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Fire is fascinating to young children, but with this fascination comes a high risk of burn injuries. Be sure to monitor your child closely when they are near fire, and if they are burned treat them immediately.
Car Safety Seat Checkup
Using a car safety seat correctly makes a big difference. Even the right seat for your child's size may not properly protect your child in a crash unless it is used correctly. So take a minute to check to be sure.
Car Safety Seats 2017 Guide
One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle. Each year thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. Proper use of car safety seats helps keep children safe. But with so many different car safety seats on the market, it’s no wonder many parents find this overwhelming.
Car Safety Seats 2017 List
Carpool Safety
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: When driving children in a carpool you are responsible for the safety of everyone in the car. Be sure to follow safety procedures very strictly and obtain contact information for the parents of all other children in the carpool in case of emergency.
Child Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse of children is more common than most people think. About 1 out of 5 girls and 1 out of 10 boys will be sexually abused during their childhood. Parents can take steps to help prevent and recognize sexual abuse in children.
Childproofing Your Home
Children are naturally curious and love to explore. Young children especially like to explore by putting things in their mouths. Before or as soon as children begin crawling or walking, parents and caregivers need to take extra steps to make sure harmful items are out of reach, out of sight, and locked up if possible.
Choking Prevention and First Aid for Infants and Children
When children begin crawling, or eating table foods, parents must be aware of the dangers and risks of choking. Children younger than 5 years can easily choke on food and small objects.
Choosing Child Care
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Finding childcare for you child involves making a lot of decisions, but be sure to look out for basic safety concerns. Before deciding on a method of childcare, be sure to access the environment in which you will be leaving your child for increased safety risks, such as easy access to stairwells or window sills.
Choosing Over-the-Counter Medicines for Your Child
“Over-the-counter” (OTC) means you can buy the medicine without a doctor's prescription. Talk with your child's doctor or pharmacist* before giving your child any medicine, especially the first time.
Choosing the Right Size Bicycle for Your Child
A bicycle of the wrong size may cause your child to lose control and be injured. Any bike must be the correct size for the child for whom it is bought. To keep your child safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:
Cyberbullies
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: A cyberbully is a child that uses the internet to broadcast hateful comments about another child. Monitor your child's internet use to prevent them from being bullied or from doing the bullying. There are no federal laws against cyberbullying, but your state may have such laws.
Dangers of Power Windows in Cars
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Power windows can be extremely dangerous for small children. Over the last ten years, thousands of children have been injured by power windows in an automobile. If your automobile has child safety locks on the power windows, be sure to use them at all times.
Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
Even if you don’t smoke, breathing in someone else’s smoke can be deadly too. Secondhand smoke causes about 3,000 deaths from lung cancer and tens of thousands of deaths from heart disease to nonsmoking adults in the United States each year.
Deciding to Wait
No matter what you've heard, read, or seen, not everyone your age is having sex, including oral sex and intercourse. In fact, more than half of all teens choose to wait until they're older to have sex. If you have already had sex but are unsure if you should again, then wait before having sex again.
Decorative Contact Lenses: What Teens and Parents Need to Know
You may want to look like your favorite movie star or singer or have the perfect look for Halloween, but changing the look of your eyes with decorative contact lenses could cause a lot of damage to your eyesight.
Dental Caries (Early Childhood Caries or Cavities)
Early childhood caries (commonly called cavities) is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Caries are the result of an infectious disease process that damages tooth structure and makes holes in the teeth. The consequences of early childhood caries are much more than unattractive teeth. Early childhood caries can cause severe pain, speech difficulty, and poor nutrition and can spread to cause serious infections. Treatment for caries can require expensive dental services, and younger children often require general anesthesia and treatment in the operating room.
Dog Bite Prevention
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Children need to be taught basic rules for interacting with dogs and to learn how to deal with unknown or aggressive dogs to reduce the risk of bites.
Establishing Good Toothbrushing Habits
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Toothbrushing time can be a challenge for parents, but a child that ignores proper dental hygiene may face future dental complications. Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day is recommended.
Exercise-Induced Asthma
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Children with exercise induced asthma (EIA) should take special precautions in order to exercise safely. These children should warm up slowly and pace themselves. Teach your children to monitor their symptoms in order to better know their limits.
Eye Protection in Sports
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Many sports-related eye injuries occur in children under the age of 15. Eye protectors can significantly cut down the risk of a sports-related eye injury and should be worn whenever possible.
Family Room Safety
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: The family room is often the center for family fun, but parents should make sure that this room is properly child-proofed. Common house-hold items can pose a serious threat for small children, so make sure that the family room is truly a safe zone for the whole family.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Approximately 5,000 children are born each year with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Many of these children will develop other learning or behaviorial problems. Women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should avoid drinking any alcohol to prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Firearms Injury Prevention
More than 44 million Americans own firearms. Of the 192 million firearms owned in the United States, 65 million are handguns. Research shows guns in homes are a serious risk to families.
First Aid
TIPP SHEETS: This two-page guide describes basic first aid steps for the following medical situations: eye injuries, fractures and sprains, fever, head injuries, bites and stings, poisoning, seizures, fainting, broken teeth, burns and scalds, nosebleeds, skin wounds, and choking. It also includes detailed instructions for administering CPR to infants and older children.
First Year of Life, The: Framingham Safety Survey
Food Allergies and Your Child
A food allergy happens when the body reacts against harmless proteins found in foods. The reaction usually happens shortly after a food is eaten. Food allergy reactions can vary from mild to severe.
Four Steps to Prepare Your Family for Disasters
If there was a disaster in your area, would your family know what to do? Every family should have a plan. This 4-STEP guide developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics offers tips on how to 1) be informed, 2) make a plan, 3) build a kit, and 4) get involved.
Fun in the Sun: Keep Your Family Safe
Warm, sunny days are wonderful. It's great to exercise outside, and the sun feels good on your skin. But what feels good can harm you and your family. Read on for information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about how to keep your family safe from the sun’s harmful rays.
Help Stop Teenage Suicide
Highchair Safety
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Falls are the most serious danger associated with high chairs. Keep this in mind when shopping for a high chair and choose one with a base that is wide enough so that the chair won't tip over easily. Always keep your child strapped in and never leave your child unattended when using a high chair.
Home Safety Checklist
Is your house a safe place for your child to live and play? The following safety checklist can help you prevent serious injuries or even death. Though it addresses common safety concerns, it's important to remember that every house is different and no checklist is complete. Because there may be other safety concerns in your house, a more thorough safety check is recommended at least every 6 months.
Home Water Hazards for Young Children
Each year many young children drown in swimming pools, other bodies of water, and standing water around the home such as
How to Prevent Overuse Injuries (Care of the Young Athlete)
Over the past 20 years more children are partici­ pating in organized and recreational athletics. With so many young athletes playing sports, it's no wonder injuries are common. Half of all sports medicine injuries in children and teens are from overuse. The following is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about overuse injuries and injury prevention tips.
How to Prevent Tooth Decay in Your Baby
Baby teeth are important. If baby teeth are lost too early, the teeth that are left may move and not leave any room for adult teeth to come in. Also, if tooth decay is not prevented, it can be costly to treat, cause pain, and lead to life-threatening infections.
Imaging and Medical Radiation Safety: Important Information for Parents
Pediatricians use different tests and tools to help them diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses. This handout was written by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to answer questions about imaging and medical radiation safety.
Immunizations: What You Need To Know
Immunizations have helped children stay healthy for more than 50 years. They are safe and they work. In fact, serious side effects are no more common than those from other types of medication. Vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%! Yet many parents still question their safety because of misinformation they've received. That's why it's important to turn to a reliable and trusted source, including your child's doctor, for information. The following are answers to common questions parents have about immunizations.
Impact of Headphones on Hearing
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Many children like to turn up the volume when listening to music, but this can cause permanent ear damage when doing so with a pair of headphones. If someone else can hear music coming out of your headphones, then the music is too loud.
Infant Furniture: Cribs
Inhalant Abuse
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Inhalant abuse is when children inhale chemicals to get high (huffing). These chemicals can often be found around the house in commonly used products, such as spray paint. Inhalant abuse can be lethal, so warn your child about the dangers of inhalant abuse.
Internet Safety
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Parental involvement is critical to ensure that internet use is safe and productive. Keep your computer in a central location in the home. Be clear about what kinds of sites are prohibited and tell your child never to reveal personal information online, such as name or location.
Keep Your Family Safe: Fire Safety and Burn Prevention at Home
Fires and burns cause almost 4,000 deaths and about 20,000 hospitalizations every year. Winter is an especially dangerous time, as space heaters, fireplaces, and candles get more use in the home. It is no surprise that fires in the home are more common between December and February. However, you might be surprised at how easy it is to reduce the risk of fire in your home. Follow these suggestions to help keep your home and family safe from fire all year round.
Lawn Mower Safety
The power lawn mower is one of the most dangerous tools around the home. Each year, approximately 68,000 persons with injuries caused by power mowers were treated in emergency departments. More than 9,000 of the people hurt were younger than 18 years. Older children and adolescents were most often hurt while cutting lawns as chores or as a way to earn money.
Lawn Mower Safety
Each year many children are injured severely by lawn mowers. Power mowers can be especially dangerous. However, most lawn mower-related injuries can be prevented by following these safety guidelines.
Lead Is a Poison: What You Need to Know
Lead in the body can affect child development and behavior. Lead is a metal that is found in a lot of places. Though you can't usually see it, there are things you can do to prevent your child from being exposed to lead. No safe level of lead has been identified for children. Children are at highest risk because they often put their hands and objects in their mouths, and their growing bodies tend to easily absorb what they eat. This publication was written by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help parents understand how lead can be harmful, where it may be found, and what they can do to keep their children safe.
Life Jackets and Life Preservers
If your family enjoys boating, sailing, canoeing, and using personal watercraft on lakes, rivers, and streams, be sure your children wear the correct life jackets. If you do, they will be able to take part in these activities more safely.
Magnetic Toy Dangers
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: In recent years, more and more toys are being developed that put to use powerful magnetic pieces. If a child were to swallow these magnets, serious internal damage could result. Be sure to monitor your children when they play with magnetic toys.
Making Healthy Decisions About Sex: Important Information For Teens
Before you decide to have sex or if you are already having sex, you need to know how to stay healthy. Even if you think you know everything you need to know about sex, take a few minutes and read on. Your doctor wants to make sure you know the facts.
Medicine and the Media: How to Make Sense of the Messages
Your child is sick or hurt and the first thought on your mind is, “How can I make my child better?” That's natural. No parent wants his or her child to suffer. So how do you decide what medicines to give or treatments to try?
Message to Parents of Teen Drivers, A
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and young adults. More than 5,500 young people die every year in car crashes and thousands more are injured. Parents can play an important role in reducing these numbers and keeping their teens alive.
Minor Head Injuries in Children
Almost all children bump their heads every now and then. While these injuries can be upsetting, most head injuries are minor and do not cause serious problems. In very rare cases, problems can occur after a minor bump on the head. This publication was written by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help parents understand the difference between a head injury that needs only a comforting hug and one that requires immediate medical attention.
Overuse Injuries in Sports
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Exercise is good for your child, but too much exercise can become a strain on their body. If your child ever begins to feel pain while exercising, they should stop their activity immediately rather than work through the pain.
Paintball
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Paintball is becoming increasingly popular among teens. Paintball should be played in supervised settings only and all children should wear approved eye protection.
Parent's Guide to Insect Repellents, A
Mosquitoes, biting flies, and tick bites can make children miserable. While most children have only mild reactions to insect bites, some children can become very sick. Some insects carry dangerous germs such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease bacteria, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever bacteria.
Parent's Guide to Pets, A
Pets are found in millions of American homes. If you don't already own a pet, at some point your child may ask for one. If you already own a pet, your child may want another one. So how do you decide?
Parent's Guide to Teen Parties, A
As a parent, you know the importance of your teen's social life and that parties are a way to socialize and relax. But an unsupervised or poorly planned party can result in unwanted or even tragic consequences. However, parental responsibility is the key to a fun and safe party.
Parent's Guide to Toy Safety, A
Children can have a lot of fun playing with their toys. However, it's important to keep in mind that safety should always come first. Each year thousands of children are injured by toys.
Parent-Teen Driving Agreement and a Message to Parents of Teen Drivers: Pediatrician Implementation Guide
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 16- to 20-year-olds, accounting for about 5,500 fatalities annually and injuring thousands more. A variety of legislative measures—graduated driver licensing (GDL), minimum drinking-age and drunk-driving laws, and improved seat belt laws—are saving teens' lives, but much work remains to be done, particularly in improving the way parents handle the issue of teen driving. Parents are too often unaware of their teens' risky driving habits and while parents do place restrictions on their teens' driving, they are often not the restrictions with proven safety benefits such as prohibitions on nighttime driving and limits on the number of teen passengers.
Pesticides in the Food Supply
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Farmers may use pesticides to improve the growth of their crops, so be sure to wash or peel your fruits and vegetables to reduce pesticide residue.
Playground Safety
Each year, about 200,000 children get hurt on playground equipment with injuries serious enough to need treatment in the emergency department. About 15 children die each year from playground injuries. While many of these injuries happen on home equipment, most occur at school and public playgrounds.
Playground Safety
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Playgrounds can be a great place for children to interact with friends and get exercise. As a parent, you can help to ensure that playgrounds are both fun and safe by making sure the equipment is safe and by teaching proper playground safety to your child.
Pool Safety for Children
A swimming pool can be very dangerous for children. If possible, do not put a swimming pool in your yard until your children are older than 5 years. Help protect your children from drowning by doing the following:
Prescription Medicines and Your Child
There are 2 types of medicines you can buy:
Preventing Baseball and Softball Injuries
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Softball and baseball can be healthy and enjoyable pasttimes for many children, but doctors treat thousands of cases of softball- and baseball-related injuries each year. Certain preventative measures can be taken to decrease the risk of these injuries.
Product Recalls
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Consumer goods are often recalled because they are defective or hazardous to children. Despite recalls, some items may still be around, such as cribs, window blinds, and toys.
Protect Your Child From Poison
Children can get very sick if they come in contact with medicines, household products, pesticides, chemicals, or cosmetics. This can happen at any age and can cause serious reactions. How­ever, most children who come in contact with these things are not perma­nently hurt if they are treated right away.
Protect Your Child…Prevent Poisoning
Young children may put anything in their mouths. This is part of learning. Many household products can be poisonous if swallowed, if in contact with the skin or eyes, or if inhaled.
Protect Your Home Against Fire…Planning Saves Lives
Protecting Your Baby From Abuse: Important Information About Preventing Brain Injuries in Infants
One of the skills parents and caregivers need to learn is how to deal with stress. This is especially important when there seems to be no end to a baby's crying. Too often, when a parent or caregiver loses control the results can be harmful or deadly.
Pulling the Plug on TV Violence
Raw Milk: What You Need to Know
Raw milk is milk that comes straight from a cow, sheep, or goat. Raw milk is not pasteurized (heated to kill germs) or homogenized (processed to keep the cream from separating from the milk).
Safe Bicycling Starts Early
When a child receives his or her first tricycle or bicycle, a lifelong pattern of vehicle operation is begun. A bike is not just a toy, but a vehicle that is a speedy means of transportation, subject to the same laws as motor vehicles.
Safe Driving…A Parent's Responsibility
Safe Sleep and Your Baby: How Parents Can Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Suffocation
Many infants die during sleep from unsafe sleep environments. Some of these deaths are from entrapment, suffocation, and strangulation. Some infants die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, there are ways for parents to keep their sleeping baby safe.
Safety of Blood Transfusions
Because of illness or injury, some children need to receive transfusions of blood and blood products. This procedure may be frightening for parents and their children. Many parents are also concerned about the safety of transfusions. While blood supply in the United States is considered very safe, parents should know a few things about blood transfusions and the safety of blood products for children. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about blood and blood transfusions.
Safety Tips for Home Playground Equipment
School Bus Safety
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Before your child starts school each year, be sure to go over bus safety rules with them. Urge them to follow bus safety rules both inside and around the outside of the bus to prevent injury.
Secondhand Smoke
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Those exposed to secondhand smoke are still at a heightened risk for developing lung damage or lung cancer. Exposure to secondhand smoke can also aggravate children with asthma. If you, or anyone in your family smokes, they should try to quit immediately.
Seeing Through Product Claims
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: TV and radio are filled with ads for different children's medications. Before using any of these first consider the source of the information and who is making the claims about the effectiveness of the product. Discuss any concerns with your pediatrician before starting such medications.
Shopping Cart Dangers
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Many children have suffered injury as a result of poor shopping cart safety. If possible, leave your child in the care of another adult when you go grocery shopping. If you must bring them with you, be sure to follow all safety instructions for carts strictly in order to prevent injury.
SIDS in Child Care
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: 20% of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) cases happen while the child is in child care. Make sure your child care provider knows to place your child on their back while sleeping to prevent SIDS.
Skin Cancer Prevention
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: This is a reminder to everyone that long term sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer. You can lower the risk of developing skin cancer for yourself and for you child by always applying sunscreen and avoiding sunburns.
Slide Safety
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Some slides are safer than others, and you should keep this in mind when your child is out on the playground. The height of the top of the slide should never exceed 6 feet and slides should sit on a cushioned ground surface to help minimize injury from falls. Always monitor your child closely when they are playing on slides.
Spring Cleaning Tips
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: While spring cleaning around the house, parents should make sure that they use non-toxic cleaning solutions, dispose of toxic chemicals or put out of reach of children. Parents should also check in and outside the house for other safety hazards.
Stocking a First Aid Kit
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: First aid kits are very important to have in the case of emergencies both at home and in the car. First aid kits are available in most drug stores, or you can make your own to fit your child's specific needs.
Storing Medicines Correctly and Safely
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Many people store their medications in the bathroom, which can be the worst place to keep them. Heat and moisture cause medicines to degrade prior to their expiration date. Disposing of medication also requires care so that animals or other people are not able to get to the medication.
Substance Abuse Prevention
The use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs is one of the biggest temptations facing young people today. As a parent, you are your child's best protection against drug use. You can start by telling your children that you expect them not to use drugs and become informed yourself about drug use. This publication was written by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help you identify the warning signs of drug use and provides tips on how to help your child (especially during the preteen and teen years) say no to drugs.
Syrup of Ipecac No Longer Recommended
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Syrup of ipecac is no longer recommonded in cases of poisoning. It is not the best treatment for poisoning and the substance can be misused. The best way to fight poisoning is prevention. Keep poisonous substances away from children at all times.
Talking With Your Teen About Sex
Children are exposed to sexual messages every day—on TV, on the Internet, in movies, in magazines, and in music. Sex in the media is so common that you might think that teens today already know all they need to about sex. They may even claim to know it all, so sex is something you just don't talk about. Unfortunately, only a small amount of what is seen in the media shows responsible sexual behavior or gives correct information.
Talking With Your Young Child About Sex
Children begin learning about sex and sexuality as soon as they are able to view, listen, and sense the world around them. As your children grow and develop, they may giggle with friends about "private parts," share "dirty" jokes, and look up taboo words in the dictionary. Their curiosity is natural, and children of all ages have questions.
Tattooing and Body Piercing
Teens get tattoos or body parts pierced for different reasons. Most teens get a tattoo or body piercing because they like the way it looks or to express themselves. Some get a tattoo or piercing to feel like part of a group. In some states and cities, you need to be 18 or have a parent's permission to get a piercing or tattoo.
Teen Suicide and Guns
The Child as a Passenger on an Adult's Bicycle
A young passenger on an adult's bike makes the bike unstable and increases the braking time.
The Risks of Tobacco Use
Many people think that the only people harmed by tobacco use are smokers who have smoked for a long time. The fact is that tobacco use can be harmful to everyone. This includes unborn babies and people who don’t smoke.
Tips for Getting Your Children to Wear Bicycle Helmets
Have your children wear helmets as soon as they start to ride tricycles and if they are a passenger on the back of an adult's bike. If they learn to wear helmets whenever they ride tricycles and bikes, it becomes a habit for a lifetime. It's never too late, however, to get your children into helmets. Allow your child to participate in choosing their helmet. They'll be able to let you know if it is comfortable. And if they like the design, they are more likely to wear it.
Tobacco: Straight Talk for Teens
Did you know that about 80% of teens in the United States don't smoke? They've made a healthy choice.
Trampoline Safety
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: About 83,000 people have been injured on trampolines and it is not advised that children play on trampolines. The only time trampolines should be used is for training programs or certain sports, and then only under the supervision of a trained adult.
Trampolines: What You Need to Know
If you choose to have a home trampoline, the AAP recommends the following safety precautions: adult supervision at all times, only one jumper on the trampoline at a time, and no somersaults should be performed. Also, trampolines should have adequate protective padding that is in good condition and appropriately placed. All equipment should be checked often and protective padding, the net enclosure, and any other parts should be repaired or replaced when damaged. Parents should check their homeowner's policy and obtain a rider to cover trampoline-related injuries if not included in the basic policy.
Tricycle Tips
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Most children are not ready to ride on a tricycle until age 3, but once they start to ride a tricycle make sure it is one that is low to the ground and with large wheels to prevent tipping. Always supervise your child when they are on a tricycle and be sure to have them wear a helmet at all times.
Used Car Safety Seats
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: When purchasing a car safety seat for your child, a new car seat is best. If you buy a seat that is used it can be difficult to tell if the seat has been recalled or has been damaged in a crash. Shop carefully, and never use a seat that is more than 10 years old.
Using Liquid Medicines
Many children’s medicines come in liquid form. Liquid medicines are easier to swallow than pills. But they must be used the right way.
Using Over-the-Counter Medicines with Your Child
“Over-the-counter” (OTC) means you can buy the medicine without a doctor's prescription. This doesn’t mean that OTCs are harmless. Like prescription medicines, OTCs can be dangerous if not taken the right way. Talk with your child's doctor before giving your child any medicine, especially the first time.
Water Safety for Your School-aged Child
Swimming and playing in water can give your child much pleasure and good exercise. But you must take steps to prevent your child from drowning.
What's on TV
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: On an average day of television watching, many children are exposed to a number of alcohol and toy commercials, excessive violent acts, and a number of scenes of sexual conduct. Suggest reading a book or going on a walk to your child rather than watching TV. This will reduce their exposure to such content.
When to Call Emergency Services
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: It may be difficult to know when it is appropriate to seek emergency care for your child, but if you have any doubt go ahead and contact your local emergency services team. Be sure to stay calm. Work to prevent future emergencies by making sure that your child's environment is safe and free of injury risks.
When Your Child Needs Emergency Medical Services
It is rare for children to become seriously ill with no warning. Depending on your child's symptoms, you usually should contact your child's pediatrician for advice. Early recognition and treatment of symptoms can prevent an illness or injury from getting worse or turning into an emergency.
Window Blind Cord Dangers
A MINUTE FOR KIDS: Small children are at a high risk for entanglement and strangulation from window covering cords. Keep cords out of the reach of children at all times.
Your Baby's First Steps
Learning to walk takes practice. Each child will learn to coordinate and balance at different rates. You can expect some wobbling and falling down at first, but before you know it, your child will be running circles around you.
Your Child and the Environment
Environmental dangers are everywhere. Most of these dangers are more harmful to children than adults. However, there are things you can do to reduce your child's contact with them. Read more to learn about how to protect your family from environmental dangers.
Your Child is on the Move: Reduce the Risk of Gun Injury