Module 5: Contemporary Child Health Issues

Why is home safety important with children

● Children spend most of their time at home.

● Many injuries occur due to falls, poisoning, and unsafe environments.

● Young children are curious and unaware of danger.

What are some strategies to make the home safer

● Install safety gates and window guards.

● Lock medications and chemicals.

● Anchor furniture and TVs.

● Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. ● Provide supervision.

● Use safety locks.

● Install outlet covers.

Why is child passenger safety importaant

● Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury and death.

● Proper car seat use reduces injury risk.

How can you implement child passenger safety

● Use appropriate car seats.

● Ensure proper installation.

● Use booster seats when needed.

● Never leave child unattended in car.

Why is choking important to consider with children

● Children have small airways.

● High risk due to immature chewing and swallowing.

What are some strategies to prevent choking

● Cut food into small pieces.

● Avoid small hard foods.

● Supervise eating.

● Keep small objects out of reach.

why is sun safety important with children

● Children's skin is sensitive.

● Sunburn increases skin cancer risk.

what are some ways you can promote sun safety in children

● Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen. w/ 100% UV protection

● Wear hats and protective clothing.

● Avoid peak sun hours.

● Provide shade.

Ways to prevent heat illness/ dehydration

Drink plenty of water

Symptoms: thirst, fatigue, leg cramps, cool moist skin

Bring child inside

Remove extra clothing and fanning

why is water safety important with children

● Drowning is a leading cause of child death.

● Children can drown quickly and silently.

what are some possible intervention to promote water safety

● Supervise constantly near water.

● Install pool fences.

● Teach swimming skills.

● Use life jackets.

why is burn safety important with children

● Children have thinner skin.

● Burns can cause permanent injury.

what are some ways to prevent burn injuries with children

● Keep hot liquids away.

● Lower water heater temperature.

● Keep matches and lighters away.

● Teach fire safety.

why is safe sleep important with infants

● Unsafe sleep increases SIDS risk.

● Infants cannot reposition themselves.

What are some ways to promote safe sleep with infants

● Place the infant on its back to sleep.

● Use a firm mattress.

● Avoid loose bedding.

● Avoid co-sleeping.

Why is recreational Injury prevention important with children

● Sports increase injury risk.

● Head injuries and fractures are common.

when should helmets be replaced

In general, undamaged helmets should be replaced every 5 years

*In general, helmets should not have stickers on them, as most sticker adhesives have a solvent in them that weakens the plastic*

What are some possible strategies for recreational Injury prevention important with children

● Use helmets and protective gear.

● Supervise activities.

● Ensure safe equipment.

why is farm safety important with children

● Use helmets and protective gear.

● Supervise activities.

● Ensure safe equipment.

why might preschool safety at home need to be considered

● Preschoolers explore independently and may hurt themselves

What are some ways to promote preschooler safety at home

● Teach safety rules.

● Secure sharp objects.

● Use safety gates.

number 1 risk factor of mortality in children less than 5 years of age

falls

highest cause of mortality in adolescence

suicide

number 1 risk factor of mortality in children greater than 5 years of age

Motor vehicle accidents

infant age range

0-1

toddler age range

1-3

preschool age range

3-6

Rear facing carseat until at least

2 years of age (even up to 4), best protection for head, neck, and spine.

Forward facing carseat from

2-6 years of age (up to 18 kg)

Adult seatbelt has to be over their

strongest bones (after booster seat stage).

Children under 13 are safest in the _____ seat of the vehicle.

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