Child Safety 2010

1. Child Safety 2010 M. Bryan Slaughter Attorney 434.951.7233

2. Child Safety is Everyone’s Business • Since the 2000 Census, the number of children under 5 years of age has risen 8 percent, while the numbers of children aged 5-9 and 10-14 years have fallen 3.4 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively.

3. The External Cause of Injury Mortality Matrix* TypeRate† (average annual number of deaths) Drowning 1.4 (1,150) Falls 0.2 (187) Fires/Burns 0.7 (592) MV Traffic-related‡ 9.1 (7,317)    MVT-Occupant 4.6 (3,724)    MVT-Unspecified 3.1 (2,486)    MVT-Pedal Cyclist 0.2 (162)    MVT-Pedestrian 0.9 (724)    MVT-Other 0.3 (221) Poisoning 0.7 (606) Suffocation 1.2 (956) Other Injuries± 1.7 (1,368) All Injuries 15.0 (12,175)+ The rate is 0.7% of a population of 100,000. From a CDC Childhood Injury Report released December 2008. 

4. Be Water-Wise! • Test the water temperature of your infant’s or toddler’s bath water by dabbing a drop on the underside of your wrist BEFORE placing your child in the tub. • Never leave your child alone in the tub, spa or pool! MichieHamlett Attorneys at Law

5. Children in High Places • Avoid placing children in high spaces or places! Falls aren’t funny and childhood injuries can be extremely serious. • If your child is injured in a fall and unable to move, Call 911. Seek medical attention immediately! • If your child is injured and you are unable to take your child to a doctor or to the emergency room, Call 911.

6. Scalds and Burns • Burns are among the most devastating and painful injuries to children. In 2008, more than 850 children were treated for burns at Children’s National Medical Center. • Annually in the U.S., more than 600 children ages 14 and under die due to fire-and burn-related injuries, and another 100,000 are treated in hospitals.

7. In the Kitchen… • Never leave hot pots/pans on the stove or in the oven, unattended. • Turn all pot/pan handles toward the back of the stove, so little hands can’t reach them! • Don’t leave matches, lighters, or candles where children can reach them! • Have a working fire extinguisher handy– and know how to use it!

8. In The Kitchen, continued… • Maintain a three-foot child-free zone around the stove! 3’

9. Fire Prevention is Good! • Beyond fire prevention, every family should have an escape plan from their home– and all family members, caregivers and babysitters should know what it is. • Designate someone to take a child out in case of fire. • Designate a place out away from the home to meet if there is a fire.

10. If There Is Fire, Do You Know What To Do? • Don’t open doors that are hot! • If there’s smoke, drop to the floor where the air is clearer and crawl; if clothes catch fire, drop to the ground and roll! • Get out and call 911 from another location! Never re-enter a burning building.

11. Danger Indoors and Out! • Children can get in trouble quickly, especially when left unattended. Things like window blind cords, the blinds themselves and soccer nets can all be strangulation hazards for young children. MichieHamlett Attorneys at Law

12. The Medicine Cabinet • Keep all medicines out of children’s reach in a lockable medicine cabinet. • Make sure to read the directions on the medicine container for proper dosage of medicine for your child. If you do not understand the directions or dosage instructions, call your pharmacist! • Make sure all medicine is kept in containers with child-proof caps. • Keep the Poison Control phone number by the phone 1/800-222-1222

13. Recalled Children’s Toys • Pay attention to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recalls of unsafe children’s toys, often imported from China. • Watch out for toys coated with lead paint or chemical elements such as antimony or cadmium. • Some toys are too loud, too sharp, or have too many small parts! MichieHamlett Attorneys at Law

14. Baby Product Recalls • Two baby products that have been recalled, The MacClaren Stroller (2009) and the Rainforest Open Top Take-Along Swing (2007)

15. Unsafe Children’s Products • Infants’ and Toddlers’ Furniture, such as Cribs, Baby Swings, High Chairs and Playpens MichieHamlett Attorneys at Law

16. More Unsafe Furniture • Supervision is a key component to child safety. • Leaving your child unsupervised in infant furniture is not a safe or wise decision.

17. Pay Attention to Recalls! Go to: http://www.cpsc.gov to see recent recalls of unsafe or hazardous children’s products, furniture, toys, jewelry, medicines, etc.

18. Buckle Up, Everyone! • “Buckle Up, Virginia” noted Virginia’s 2008 Traffic Fatalities/Injuries statistics: • 59% of people killed in traffic accidents were not restrained; • 9% of people injured were not restrained; and • Child Safety Seats have been found to reduce risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.

19. Children’s Booster Seats • Make sure you are using the recommended safe booster seat for your child’s size and weight. • Check to make sure the shoulder belt and lap belt are in the proper position. • Children under 4’ 9” who weigh between 80 and 100 lbs. require a booster seat.

20. So Get Involved! • Our children’s safety is largely up to us. • It’s good to participate in local Child Safe programs, pay attention to child product recalls, “child-safety”-proof your home, and use good common sense. • Have a plan! Remember to call 911 if you or your child need help. • For more info on how to keep children safe, check websites, such as http://www.childsafetyblog.org or http://www.SafeKids.org