Longmont Clinic

Automobiles

The leading cause of accidental death in children is automobile accidents.

Parents should always wear seat belts.
On every trip, infants and children need to be in a car seat or seat belt. IT IS THE LAW.
A car seat that is rear-facing, is for infants up to one year of age or 20 pounds. A front facing car seat is for children older than one year, or 20 pounds and up to 4 years or 40 pounds. Make sure babysitters and friends have and use care seats and seat belts. Teach children to be careful in streets and parking lots.

Drowning

Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death in children.

Infants and toddlers may drown in 1-2 inches of water. Empty or prevent access to buckets, diaper pails, ice chests with melted ice, toilets, bathtubs, hot tubs, swimming pools, irrigation ditches or wells. Watch your child constantly.
If possible, do not put a swimming pool in your yard until your children are over 5 years old. If you have a pool, you must fence it off and make sure kids can not get in. Enroll your child in swimming lessons at 4-5 years of age. Older children should never swim alone. Always use Coast Guard-approved life jackets when boating or doing other water sports. Parents should set a good example. Blow-up toys, water wings or air mattresses are not substitutes. Children are not able to understand the basic elements of water safety before they are 4 years old.

Poisoning/Choking

Poisoning and choking are significant causes of childhood accidents and death.
The age of highest risk is 1-3 years. Keep medicines and chemicals out of reach or locked up. Examples are: aspirin, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, iron pills, moth balls, furniture polish, drain cleaners, weed/insect poisons, kerosene, bleach, and alcoholic beverages. Keep in mind that many plants are also poisonous. Keep products in their original containers. Do not use ipecac unless told to do so by your doctor or poison center.
Do not give hard foods or large pieces of soft foods to children under the age of four. Kids can not chew nuts, seeds, hard candies, popcorn, corn chips or gum well enough under 4 years of age. Soft food for infants or toddlers needs to be cut into very small pieces (hot dogs, grapes, sausage, etc.). Inhaled rubber balloons are a special problem (deaths have even occurred in teenagers). Make sure nothing small enough to pass through a cardboard toilet paper roll is accessible to children 4 years and under. Keep the poison center phone number handy if your child swallows anything you think they should not.

Firearms

Firearms are the 5th leading cause of unintentional death for children under the age of 15.

A gun in the home is a danger to your family. A family member or friend is much more likely to be killed than an intruder. The risk of suicide is 5 times greater with a gun in the house. The risk of homicide is 3 times greater with a gun in the home. If you keep a gun, empty it out and lock it up. Talk to children about the real life dangers of guns. Talk about non-violent solutions to problems. Be aware of gun risks children may face at places where they play or visit.

Other Important Dangers:

Burns — Burns are a preventable injury, frequently seen in the pediatricians office. Lower your hot water heater to 120 degrees. Keep hot liquids/appliances out of your child's reach. Make sure you have working smoke detectors and talk about what to do in case of a fire. Cigerrettes are the most common cause of fires in homes. In the summer, watch for hot metal (such as seat buckles or slides), and avoid fireworks.

Falls — Falls often happen because parents are not aware of what their children can do. Never leave any infant alone on a high place or any child unattended in a shopping cart. As soon as your child can pull to stand, lower the child's crib mattress. Do not buy a walker — they do not help walking and do cause injuries. Use safety gates on stairs and locks/guards on upper floor windows.

Bicycles — Most serious bike injuries occur when the bicyclist is hit by a motor vehicle. Never allow your child to ride without a helmet. Buy the right size bike for the child. Teach your child the rules of the road.

Toys — The responsibility for your child's safety resides with you. Accidents are most likely to occur when your child has a toy that is too large or complicated for their development; there is an absence of responsible adult supervision; the toy is misused, damaged, or cheaply made; or if a younger sibling or playmate plays with a toy not meant for them.

Local Organizations Offering Infant Child First Aid and CPR:

Longmont United Hospital
1950 West Mountain View Ave
Longmont, CO 80501
303-651-5496

YMCA
950 Lashley
Longmont, CO 80501
303-776-0370