There are few things that worry a parent more than the well-being of their child. While it’s not uncommon for children to have minor injuries when playing at home and even under the watchful eye of their parents, childhood injuries can be severe and in some cases, fatal. The CDC reports that a child is treated for an injury in the ER every four seconds.
Learning about some of the most common injuries for children can help you keep your child safer and be more aware of how to prevent the injuries from occurring.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury for people of all ages, but particularly children. Whether a parent is driving while distracted or a fellow motorist is driving recklessly, children are at risk of being injured in an accident. Depending on the nature of the accident, Myrtle Beach injury lawyers at Jebaily Law Firm say that you may be able to receive compensation for your child’s injuries.
The best way to keep your child safer in the event of an accident is always to have an age and size appropriate safety seat. Not only should you have you the right type of car seat for your child, but you should know how to properly use the seat and follow recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
As your child gets older and no longer requires a safety seat, always make sure they use a safety belt; as a parent, it’s your job to wear one as well.
Pedestrian Accidents
Young children and even teenagers are at a greater risk of being struck by a car while crossing the street than adults. While some pedestrian accidents result in minor injuries, Robert J. Haddad, a personal injury attorney in Virginia Beach, VA, says that some injuries can be severe (or even fatal) require a long and painful recovery.
As parents, it’s important to show your children how to cross the street carefully and always look for vehicles, even at stop signs and stop lights. Encourage children to use sidewalks as often as possible and never run out into the street to fetch a ball or toy without telling an adult.
Injuries From Defective Toys
While all toys that you buy for your child should be safe, some end up being defective and can cause a variety of injuries depending on the toy. While some defective children’s toys result in minor injuries or illness, other injuries are more severe (and in some cases fatal).
While you should stay up-to-date on any news regarding toy recalls and take away a toy once its damaged, Bennett Schiller, a personal injury attorney in Rock Hill, SC, says that you may have a product liability claim if your child is injured by a defective toy.
Burns
Young children often don’t know when something is hot on a stovetop or that the water in the faucet can be scalding to their sensitive skin. Whether you’re BBQing with a grill in the backyard, have candles lit, or are filling the tub with water, your child is at risk of getting burned.
The best way to avoid a burn, other than teaching your child about the danger of fire and hot water, is to lower the temperature on your water heater and never leave your child unattended when any heat source (like a stove or grill) is on.
These are just a few of the most common types of injuries that children can face. If your child is injured make sure you seek medical care right away. If your children is injured due to the negligence of others, you may also want to look into filing a personal injury claim to help pay for medical bills and other expenses caused by the injury.
