Safe Kids

Most people are surprised to learn that preventable injuries, such as car crashes, drownings, fires and falls, are the leading cause of death to kids in the United States. We can change this. For more information visit Safe Kids Worldwide.

Outdoor Play

  • Stay hydrated. For every 20 minutes of play, a young athlete should drink about 10 gulps of water. 
  • Learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion and encourage athletes to speak up if they get hurt. 
  • Check that playgrounds where your children play have shock-absorbing surfaces. Rubber, synthetic turf, sand, pea gravel, wood chips or mulch are the safest options. Also look for hazards, such as rusted or broken equipment. Alert the school or the parks and recreation department if a playground is unsafe.

Toy and Game Safety

  • Consider a child’s age, interests, and abilities. Read labels for age appropriate toys.
  • Children under age 3 put things into their mouths and can choke. Be careful with small balls and parts.
  • Read assembly instructions and complete warranty cards. 
  • Remove and throw away the packaging from the toy before giving to a baby or small child. 
  • Always supervise children while they play to avoid injury. Joining them adds to their fun and development. 
  • Keep toys from older children away from younger children. Toys for older children usually have small parts that pose a choking hazard.
  • Check old and new toys regularly for damage such as sharp edges or loose small parts. 
  • Store toys for older and younger children separately. Safe storage prevents falls and other injuries. 
  • Check for product recalls at the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov

Road & Auto Safety

  • Teach your child to ride their bike on the right-hand side of the road, with traffic, and to use appropriate hand signals. 
  • Make sure your child has a helmet, and take the helmet safety fit test to check that it fits properly. 
  • Teach children to look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Then remind them to continue looking until safely across. 
  • Talk to your teen about buckling up every ride, every time, every car, every driver.
  • Learn car seat safety and how to get a free inspection.

Heatstroke

To help prevent tragic and unnecessary deaths due to heatstroke, Safe Kids Worldwide and the General Motors Foundation teamed up to launch Never Leave Your Child Alone in a Car, an awareness campaign geared toward parents and caregivers. A child’s body heads up 3-5 times faster than an adult’s body. 

The Campaign Encourages Everyone to ACT 

  • A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. Always lock your doors and trunks - even in your driveway. Keep your keys and key faubs out of reach of children.
  • C: Create reminders. Place something you’ll need at your next stop - like a briefcase or cell phone - next to the child safety seat. It may seem simple, but it can be a helpful reminder on a chaotic day.
  • T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, take action. Call 911. Emergency personnel are trained to respond to these situations.