10 Most Common Child Injuries And How To Avoid Them

Going back to your childhood is probably something we would all gladly agree to do. After all, those days were all about adventure, endless energy, and so much FUN! But along with the little things that made you happy, do you remember the risks and injuries that all of us underwent at some point?

Today, as parents, isn’t it vital to understand the different kinds of injuries our kids can face? Isn’t it just way more logical to become familiar with common child injuries and take the right steps to protect them? You see, prevention is better than cure.

So, here we are with the most common child injuries and practical tips on how to avoid the injuries from taking place.

1. Falls:

Perhaps one of the most common child injuries is falls. This is especially true for young children and toddlers who are yet to master their motor skills. 

Moreover, injuries from falls are so damn common – it could be as simple as tripping over their toys, falling from a ride on the playground, or just tumbling down the stairs. Injuries from falls are typically unavoidable – so don’t fret a lot over it until it’s something serious. 

A skilled Atlanta personal injury lawyer handling fall injury cases has seen resulting consequences such as bruises, cuts, fractures, or even more severe injuries. So, in order to reduce fall injuries, you can do the following:

• Invest in safety gates for your home. For instance, if you install these gates at the top or bottom of the stairs, then you will be able to control your kid’s accessibility to stairs, thereby reducing your kid’s probability of falling. 

• While buying safety gates, you can also get hold of safety locks for your windows. In case safety locals are not available, you can also use window guards. These can help you stop accidental falls from your windows. 

• Always supervise your kids when they are playing – especially when they are out on open playgrounds or other elevated surfaces. 

2. Burns:

While falls are pretty common and not very scary in most cases, burns are scary and common! Moreover, burns can take place, thanks to multiple sources – from scorching surfaces and hot liquids to searing flames, it’s just too painful. 

Moreover, while injuries from burns are common, you have to understand that they can cause painful damage and, in some severe cases, permanent damage. As a result, it is vital to take into account the following safety tips for protecting your child from burns: 

• Ensure that you are keeping all hot objects like an iron, or kitchen equipments in a place where your kids cannot access them in the first place. 

• Similarly, it is best to store candles, lighters, and matchboxes in a location where your kids won’t be able to touch them. 

• Also, invest in stove guards so that you can prevent your child’s access to the burners. 

• Don’t forget to teach your kids about the importance of fire safety – make them familiar about the dangers associated with fire and how to respond during any fire emergency. 

3. Poisoning:

Now, this one is a dangerous issue! Poisoning is pretty common in young children, considering that they have a tendency to put anything inside their mouths. 

So, it is highly possible that your kid can accidentally ingest some medicine or cleaning chemicals – these are poisonous in nature and can significantly harm your child. Even if your child ingests only small amounts of something poisonous, it can turn out to be dangerous for them. 

In order to avoid any cases of accidental poisoning, you can do the following:

• It’s a part of the baby proofing process – to ensure that you are storing your cleaning chemicals, personal medicines, and anything poisonous far away from your child’s sight and reach. 

• Definitely invest on safety locks. As a result, you will be able to lock away hazardous substances safely in storage cabinets. 

• While storing things away from your child’s reach is pretty much the only preventive measure you can take, educating your child about not eating anything in the absence of adults is equally important. 

4. Choking:

Just like poisoning, choking is a pretty frightening situation – it is, in fact, life-threatening. The worst part? Choking is typically caused by small objects – when a small object gets lodged into your kid’s airway, it can choke them. 

On top of that, it is difficult to identify what exactly is causing the choking – it is usually something very common like coins, small parts of toys, or something random. 

This makes it even more difficult to control! But that doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it. So, here are some safety tips for protecting your child from choking hazards:

• If you cut food into small portions, then it will be easier for your kids to eat the same without choking on them. 

• Never leave your kids to eat alone – be present so that if anything happens, you can help your kid at that moment. 

• Try not to buy any toys that have small parts that can break off easily. Children tend to swallow these small parts randomly. And honestly, it’s beyond your control, so just don’t give them such toys. 

• For emergency cases, it is best to learn basic first aid, including child CPR, so that you can respond effectively in case of life-threatening choking hazards.

5. Drowning:

While drowning is not one of the most common child injuries, it is also the most life-threatening injury on this list! It’s not common, but if a child faces the risk of drowning, it can literally lead to something serious, including death. 

So, here are some safety steps that you can check out to protect your kid from drowning accidents.

• Here, you cannot just install safety locks to protect your kid. But you can definitely be present when your child is in the water. 

• Accidental drowning is not common, but such tragedies do happen – and being on guard is your only option. In most cases, it’s not under our control. But what can we do from our end? If you have an infant or a baby at home, you should keep your bathtub empty when nobody is using it.  

• Another thing that you can consider doing is installing protective barriers like fences around swimming pools. 

• You can also think about enrolling your kids for swim lessons early on. It will help them to learn and become familiar with water safety skills.

6. Bicycle Accidents:

Bicycle accidents can result in injuries ranging from scrapes and bruises to more serious injuries such as fractures or head trauma. 

Wearing helmets and practicing safe riding habits can significantly reduce the risk of injury. To avoid injuries caused by bicycle accidents:

• Ensure children wear properly fitted helmets every time they ride a bike, scooter, or skateboard.

• Choose bicycles that are the right size for the child and adjust the seat and handlebars accordingly.

• Teach children about road safety rules, including signaling, stopping at stop signs, and yielding to pedestrians.

• Supervise children while they ride and choose safe riding routes away from busy streets or intersections.

7. Sports Injuries:

Participating in sports and physical activities is essential for children’s physical and emotional development, but it also comes with the risk of injury. 

Common sports injuries include sprains, strains, fractures, and concussions. These types of sports injuries can be prevented by:

• Ensuring children wear appropriate protective gear for their chosen sport, including helmets, pads, and mouthguards.

• Teaching children proper warm-up and stretching techniques to prevent muscle strains and injuries.

• Emphasizing the importance of following the rules of the game and practicing good sportsmanship.

• Encouraging children to listen to their bodies and take breaks when they feel fatigued or in pain.

• Seeking medical attention for any injuries that occur during sports activities to prevent further complications.

8. Car Accidents:

Car accidents can impact people of all ages; however, they are a leading cause of injury and death among children, often resulting from improper use of car seats and seat belts. 

Properly securing children in the appropriate car safety seats can significantly reduce the risk of injury in the event of a crash. 

To prevent serious injuries in a car accident, all passengers should always wear a seatbelt, and parents should follow the guidelines for car seat safety based on the child’s age, weight, and height. 

When driving with children, also remember to:

• Ensure car seats are installed correctly and securely in the vehicle.

• Use rear-facing car seats for infants and toddlers until they reach the maximum weight or height limit recommended by the manufacturer.

• Transition children to forward-facing car seats and booster seats as they outgrow their current seat.

9. Strangulation:

Strangulation is a preventable yet potentially deadly hazard, often involving items such as window blind cords, drawstrings on clothing, and curtain tie-backs. 

Young children can become entangled in these objects, leading to serious injury or suffocation. These types of injuries can be avoided by:

• Keep window blind cords out of reach of children or use cordless window coverings.

• Cutting drawstrings on clothing to reduce the risk of entanglement.

• Avoid using crib bumpers, as they can pose a strangulation hazard.

• Choosing toys without strings or cords could pose a strangulation risk.

10. Playground Injuries:

Playgrounds provide opportunities for children to develop physical skills, socialize, and have fun. However, playgrounds also pose risks of falls, collisions, and entrapment if proper safety precautions are not followed. Important playground safety precautions include:

• Choosing playgrounds with age-appropriate equipment and safety surfacing.

• Inspect playground equipment for signs of wear, damage, or deterioration before allowing children to play.

• Supervising children closely on playgrounds, especially younger children or those using equipment for the first time.

• Teaching children to use playground equipment safely and follow playground rules.

• Reporting any hazards or maintenance issues to the appropriate authorities to prevent injuries to others.

And It’s A Wrap!

And that’s a wrap on the most common child injuries! 

The thing about these injuries is that they are very common and a major part of growing up. Moreover, it is not possible to avoid these injuries. However, knowing how to prevent your kid from falling prey to common injuries can help in the long run.

So, tell us what your thoughts are on the most common child injuries and effective preventive measures. Tell us in the comments below. 

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