Connecticut SAFE KIDS

CT SAFE KIDS WANTS TO ENSURE A SAFE, FUN SUMMER FOR ALL

Not only does the end of the school year signal the beginning of summer for children, but it is also the start of what is known as "trauma season" in emergency rooms across the state as well.

According to Karen Brock, MPH, director of Connecticut SAFE KIDS-a program of Connecticut Children's Medical Center that is sponsored by the Elks of Connecticut-across the United States, preventable injuries are responsible for nearly three million emergency room visits a year. Preventable injuries are the leading killer of children ages 14 and under.

"Each year, more than 5,500 children are killed and nearly 92,000 are permanently disabled due to preventable injuries," Brock said. "These tragedies peak during the summer when children are supervised less, have more free time, and are engaged in more outdoor activities."

Forty percent of all unintentional injury-related deaths occur from May to August and 12% of unintentional injury-related deaths occur during the month of July.

Connecticut SAFE KIDS offers parents the following advice to ensure a safe and happy summer:

  • Ride Safe: Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of unintentional injury related death among children ages 14 and under. Child safety seats and safety belts, when correctly installed and used, can prevent injury and save lives.

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  • Swim Safe: The death rate from drowning is declining, but remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury related death, and the number one cause for children ages 1 through 4. The majority of drownings and near drownings occur in residential swimming pools and open water sites. However, children can drown in as little as one inch of water. Drowning occurs quickly and silently in a matter of seconds. Supervision is the key to preventing drownings and near drownings.

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  • Wheel Safe: Bicycles are associated with more childhood injures than any other consumer product except the automobile. More than 70 percent of children ages 5 to 14 ride bicycles. Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes and is the most important determinant of bicycle-related death and disability. The single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes (as well as other wheeling sports) is a helmet. Helmet use among bicycles ranges from only 15-25 percent.

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  • Scooters: In 2002, 30% of toy-related deaths involved unpowered scooters. Since 2001, at least 10 children ages 14 and under have died as a result of scooter-related injuries. Of these scooter deaths, 90% were motor vehicle-related. Children riding scooters should wear a helmet, elbow and knee pads. Wrist guards are not recommended since they make the scooter difficult to control. Very young children do not have the skills to control a scooter and are at great risk of injury.

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  • Walk Safe: Pedestrian injury remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury related death among children ages 5 to 14. While the majority of injuries are traffic-related, children under 2 are more likely to suffer non-traffic related pedestrian injuries including those occurring in driveways, in parking lots and on sidewalks. Children are particularly vulnerable because they are exposed to traffic threats that exceed their cognitive, developmental, behavioral, physical and sensory abilities. Parents often over estimate their child's pedestrian skills. Children are not able to safely cross the street alone until at least age 10.

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  • Play Safe: Injuries from falls are often caused by recreational activities such as sports and playground incidents. More than 3.5 million children 14 and under suffer from medically treated sports injuries per year. In 2002, more than 215,500 children under age 14 visited emergency rooms for playground-related injuries. Prevention tips include proper supervision when playing and making sure that children wear the proper protective gear when playing sports.

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