The important thing to remember about preventable injuries is that they are preventable
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Let's Keep Our Children Safe During the Pandemic
As kids have more unstructured time at home, and parents are navigating so many competing priorities, it is challenging to stay focused on everything at once. This is a time when injuries for kids may be on the rise, which can put families at risk during trips to the emergency room and cause a strain on an already overburdened health-care system.
The good news is whether you’re a parent working from home or a family member, friend or neighbor helping with childcare, there are safety precautions you can work into your busy days to help prevent injuries and keep kids safe at home, at play and on the road. Check out the ways to keep children safe at home, at play, and on the road below. |
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PRECAUTIONS TO HELP KEEP KIDS SAFER AROUND CARS AS PARENTS DEAL WITH CORONAVIRUS
By Lorrie Walker
March 23, 2020
We know caregivers are juggling so many priorities during these uncertain times: Teleworking, home schooling, handwashing, sanitizing, supervising your child and so much more. It is challenging to stay focused on everything at once. The good news is there are a few precautions we can all take to keep kids who are out of daycare or school safer during, what can seem like, very long days.
ASK THE EXPERT: LEAVING A YOUNG CHILD ALONE IN A CAR DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC?
By Lorrie Walker
April 10, 2020
The Question: I’m a single parent and I know that under normal circumstances it is never OK to leave your child alone in a car. But I was wondering, now with the threat of coronavirus, is it OK for my child to wait in the car while I run into the pharmacy or grocery store to pick up a few things?
The Answer: While leaving your child in the car alone might seem like an option during these challenging times, I promise, it is not worth the risk. Cars can heat up to dangerous levels in just a short amount of time, even on mild, sunny days – and cracking a window doesn’t help. Plus, you can get distracted or delayed in the store, one of the scenarios that has led to too many unintentional tragedies. We don’t want to see this happen to your family.
This is a time to consider all your options. Can someone else supervise your child at home while you run to the store? Getting food or medicine delivered to your door is now more available than ever since businesses are trying to limit the number of people in their stores. They are using their employees to provide free or low-cost delivery to their customers. Take advantage of a drive through, use the free delivery service, ask a friend or neighbor who is going to the store to shop for you, or order your food over the internet or phone and do curbside pickup.
We know this is a difficult situation. That’s why it’s more important than ever to remember the solutions that prevent injuries and save lives.
By Lorrie Walker
March 23, 2020
We know caregivers are juggling so many priorities during these uncertain times: Teleworking, home schooling, handwashing, sanitizing, supervising your child and so much more. It is challenging to stay focused on everything at once. The good news is there are a few precautions we can all take to keep kids who are out of daycare or school safer during, what can seem like, very long days.
- Keep car doors and trunks locked and keep key fobs out of reach. Kids as young as 2 or 3 are known to climb into unlocked cars and trunks to play, but they can’t always get out. Locking your car doors and reminding your neighbors to do the same provides an important level of protection. It is one less thing to worry about. If, for some reason, you cannot find a child you thought was just outside playing, check cars, trunks and pools first.
- If you do have to drive, walk all the way around your parked car to check for children. We’re all trying to limit travel and exposure to the virus but if you have to run out for a quick errand, remember that kids play everywhere, including behind cars. Taking a few seconds to double check can make a big difference.
- Slow down and avoid distractions. Other drivers, like you, are stressed, anxious and distracted so be extra alert during these times especially in neighborhoods. Kids can dart behind cars and into streets in unpredictable ways. Be ready!
ASK THE EXPERT: LEAVING A YOUNG CHILD ALONE IN A CAR DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC?
By Lorrie Walker
April 10, 2020
The Question: I’m a single parent and I know that under normal circumstances it is never OK to leave your child alone in a car. But I was wondering, now with the threat of coronavirus, is it OK for my child to wait in the car while I run into the pharmacy or grocery store to pick up a few things?
The Answer: While leaving your child in the car alone might seem like an option during these challenging times, I promise, it is not worth the risk. Cars can heat up to dangerous levels in just a short amount of time, even on mild, sunny days – and cracking a window doesn’t help. Plus, you can get distracted or delayed in the store, one of the scenarios that has led to too many unintentional tragedies. We don’t want to see this happen to your family.
This is a time to consider all your options. Can someone else supervise your child at home while you run to the store? Getting food or medicine delivered to your door is now more available than ever since businesses are trying to limit the number of people in their stores. They are using their employees to provide free or low-cost delivery to their customers. Take advantage of a drive through, use the free delivery service, ask a friend or neighbor who is going to the store to shop for you, or order your food over the internet or phone and do curbside pickup.
We know this is a difficult situation. That’s why it’s more important than ever to remember the solutions that prevent injuries and save lives.
HOME SAFETY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: CREATING A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUNG KIDS TO PLAY
By Ashley Hunt
April 10, 2020
While we are all social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, our homes are not just a place for us to live—they have become our offices, schools and playgrounds. In our last home safety blog, we talked about the importance of keeping all cleaning products and medicines out of reach of children. But home safety does not stop there.
To our youngest, most imaginative family members, it may seem like every room or piece of furniture in the house is now a new place for them to climb or explore. We know that our homes and furniture are not designed to be playgrounds, so here are three tips to help create a safer place for your kids to play in your home.
See our other blogs on how to help keep kids safe during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. If you have a question for one of our experts, please email Gary Karton at gkarton@safekids.org and we’ll include it in a Q&A to help you and other caregivers.
By Ashley Hunt
April 10, 2020
While we are all social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, our homes are not just a place for us to live—they have become our offices, schools and playgrounds. In our last home safety blog, we talked about the importance of keeping all cleaning products and medicines out of reach of children. But home safety does not stop there.
To our youngest, most imaginative family members, it may seem like every room or piece of furniture in the house is now a new place for them to climb or explore. We know that our homes and furniture are not designed to be playgrounds, so here are three tips to help create a safer place for your kids to play in your home.
- Mount flat-panel TVs to the wall and place large, box-style TVs on a low, stable piece of furniture that can hold the weight. Use anti-tip brackets, braces or wall straps to attach top-heavy furniture to the wall. By securing TVs and furniture, you can help prevent tip-overs if your child tries to pull themselves up from the ground using these objects.
- Watch children around balconies and windows. Now that the weather is starting to get warmer, we may be tempted to open our windows to get some fresh air. Window screens are not strong enough to hold a child’s weight, so install window guards or stops and move furniture away from windows to prevent falls. It’s still important to know how to open the window in case of emergency.
- Use safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs and attach them to the wall, if possible. Give yourself some peace of mind knowing that your littlest ones cannot access rooms they aren’t supposed to while you are trying to balance working and parenting. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels to make sure you have the right gates for your needs.
See our other blogs on how to help keep kids safe during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. If you have a question for one of our experts, please email Gary Karton at gkarton@safekids.org and we’ll include it in a Q&A to help you and other caregivers.
ON BIKE OR ON FOOT, HELP KIDS PREVENT INJURIES WITH THESE 3 SAFETY TIPS
By Nadji Kirby
March 26, 2020
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to practice social distancing and stay in the house as much as possible to protect ourselves, our families and the health of others. However, we do understand that getting out for a bit to stretch and play is important for children (and adults). As you work to strike that right balance, here are a few simple safety tips to help your kids stay active and injury free.
By Nadji Kirby
March 26, 2020
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to practice social distancing and stay in the house as much as possible to protect ourselves, our families and the health of others. However, we do understand that getting out for a bit to stretch and play is important for children (and adults). As you work to strike that right balance, here are a few simple safety tips to help your kids stay active and injury free.
- Teach kids to look left, right and left again before crossing the street. We know that many of you are now balancing working from home and supervising your children so at times they may be outside playing on their own. This is a great opportunity to reinforce this simple tip and practice a few times with the younger ones to make sure they know the right thing to do when an adult isn’t there.
- Make eye contact with drivers. Everyone is just a little more distracted nowadays so remind kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street, and to pay full attention while crossing by putting phones, headphones and devices down.
- Wear a properly-fitted helmet. Taking a bike ride is always a great activity for kids, and it seems more and more kids are cruising around either by themselves or with their families. This is no time for a needless trip to the hospital so remind your children the importance of wearing a helmet every time they ride. And if you’re going with them, remember to be a good role model and wear your helmet as well. Kids look up to you.
3 SAFETY TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN YOUNG KIDS ARE HOME
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Local Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Safe Kids Thurston County
Coordinator: Danielle King Phone: 360.522.3108 danielle.king@ccacwa.org Lead Agency: Child Care Action Council 3729 Griffin Lane SE Olympia, WA 98501 Phone: 360.786.8907 www.ccacwa.org |
Safe Kids Worldwide
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20004-1707 Phone: 202.662.0600 http://www.safekids.org/ 
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The Child Care Action Council and Thurston County Medic One serve as the lead organizations, lending support to help the group accomplish their goals related to childhood injury prevention in Thurston County.