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Family Safety Check

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Grown Ups: Save Kids Logo
Did you know that the number one health risk for America's kids ages 14 and under isn't violence, drugs, or disease? It's injuries. Each year, nearly 6,700 kids ages 14 and under are killed from unintentional injuries and more than 50,000 are permanently disabled. Fortunately, you can help protect your family from these needless tragedies with simple steps like the ones listed below.

Traffic Injuries (Items 1-3):

  • Use a safety seat until your child outgrows it (through age 4 and 40 pounds). When your child is 40 to 80 pounds, use a booster seat. Follow manufacturer's instructions carefully.
  • Wear bike helmets properly. A helmet should sit on top of your head in a level position and should not rock back and forth or from side to side. Always fasten the safety strap.
  • Teach children to stop at the curb or edge of the road, and to look left, right, and left again for traffic before and while crossing the street.

Drownings (Item 4):

  • Install four-sided, five-foot high fencing with a self-closing and self-latching gate around your pool or spa. Use personal flotation devices in open bodies of water. Be aware that drownings can also happen in bathtubs, buckets, and toilet bowls.

Fire and Burns (items 5-6):

  • Install smoke detectors in sleeping areas and on every level of your home. Replace batteries yearly. Plan and practice two fire escape routes.
  • Keep hot foods and drinks away from kids. The water heater should be set no higher than 120'F. Test the water temperature before placing kids in the bathtub. Consider installing anti-scald plumbing.

Firearm Injuries (Item 7) :

  • Keep your guns unloaded and locked up. Lock and store bullets in a separate location.

Falls (Item 8):

  • Install stairway safety gates and window guards on windows that are not fire emergency exits. Ensure playgrounds have safe equipment and cushioned surfaces.

Poisonings (Item 9):

  • Buy child-resistant packaging, but remember this does not mean child-proof. Keep potentially poisonous substances and plants out of sight and reach of children.

Emergency Response (Item 10):

  • Post police, fire, poison control center, and medical services telephone numbers near phones. Store syrup of ipecac with first aid supplies.

For more information, contact:
Jeanne Bietz
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5044
(402) 471-2101
e-mail: jeanne.bietz@dhhs.ne.gov

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