One of the more traumatic injuries a child can receive are ones that happen to their heads and necks. There are numerous ways that children can receive head injuries. But there are ways to keep them safe.
Kids in Cars
Nevada has seen a record rise in automobile deaths. Last year, 382 people lost their lives from automobiles. That is an increase of 18 percent since 2020 and over 37 percent over 2009 numbers.
The main message here: seatbelts save lives. Always make sure your child is wearing them, as well as yourself and everyone else in the car. One unrestrained person is a deadly risk for everyone.
Also, make sure your children that are in safety seats are being buckled up properly.
- Never place a safety seat in the front seat of a car. Regardless of the type of safety seat you use, the front seat is dangerous, especially if your vehicle has air bags.
- Snugly secure the belt holding the safety seat in the car and the harness holding the child in the safety seat.
- Make sure your car seat fits properly in your car. Check the vehicle owner’s manual and the safety seat instructions for proper placement procedures.
- Send in the safety seat registration card. Doing so will keep you informed about any updates or recalls of the product.
- Destroy a child safety seat if it has been involved in a crash, even if it still looks like it is in good condition. Damage that affects a seat’s ability to withstand another accident is not always visible.
- Avoid secondhand safety seats. Use a secondhand seat only if it has instructions, the manufacturer’s date and model number on it, and has never been in a crash.
- Never use an expired safety seat. The life of a car safety seat is about six years.
Wear a Helmet
This goes for whether you are on an ATV, bike, skateboard, etc.
- Wear a helmet and protective clothing, no matter how slowly you are riding. A fall at any speed can cause a severe head injury.
- Stop and look both ways for cars before entering the street from a driveway, parking lot or sidewalk.
- Move with the traffic flow – ride on the right-hand side of the street.
- Ride single-file and never carry any passengers on bicycles built for one.
- Obey all traffic laws, signs and signals. Bicycles are not toys – they are considered vehicles.
- Slow down when approaching intersections. Children should walk their bikes across busy intersections and streets. Don’t assume drivers will give you the right-of-way.
- If biking at night is necessary, equip your bike with a headlight and reflectors. Also wear reflective tape or clothing.
- Always watch for potential hazards like loose gravel, potholes, wet leaves or other things that may cause you to crash.
- Keep your bicycle under control. No stunts.
- Ride skateboards and scooters on the sidewalk.
- Give cars and pedestrians the right-of-way and always pass them on the left.
- Make sure your bike is a safe bike and the right size for you. Make sure both feet can touch the ground while sitting on the bicycle seat.
- Check your brakes, tires and chain before you ride. Make sure they are in good working condition.
Hot Cars
The temperatures are already rising. But it is always an important reminder to never leave children alone in the car. Even for a few minutes can be a major risk.
Safety Facts:
- 33% of children who die from being left in a hot car are less than one year old
- Cracking your vehicle’s windows has very little effect on its temperature
- When left in a hot vehicle, a child’s body temperature can increase three to five times as fast as an adult’s
- Children left unattended in a vehicle are at risk of being kidnapped
- Children left alone in a car can push buttons, disengage the brakes, put the car in gear or even leave the vehicle and walk away
