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Prevent Child Injuries
08/06/2012
Road Safety
Families:
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watch children carefully
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teach young children never to cross or walk along a road unless accompanied by an adult or older child
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prevent children from playing near the road
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teach children not to run after balls, moving toys or kites that go on or near the road
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instruct children to walk on the side of the road, facing traffic
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if there is a sidewalk, teach children to use it rather than walk on the road.
Children:
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stop at the side of the road
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look both ways
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listen for cars or other vehicles before crossing
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hold the hand of another person
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in urban areas, use pedestrian crossings
Water Safety
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cover wells and water tanks so children cannot open them
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turn tubs and buckets upside down when not in use, and always supervise children taking a bath
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teach children to stay away from ditches and drains
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for families who live near bodies of water, install a fence around the house and close the gates to prevent young children from going in the water
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fence ponds and pools with vertical rails spaced close together to prevent children from getting through them to the water
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teach children how to swim when they are young
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always supervise children who are swimming
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in flood-prone areas, carefully watch children when the water begins to rise; be well informed of safe places to go to if you need to leave home quickly.
Burns, scalds and shocks
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keep young children away from cooking fires, matches, paraffin lamps, candles and flammable liquids such as paraffin and kerosene
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put stoves on a flat, raised surface out of the reach of children
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do not leave small children alone near fires or to tend fires or cook
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turn the handles of all cooking pots away from the reach of children
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keep hot foods and liquids in a safe place and out of children's reach
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never hold a child when having hot liquids or foods.
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teach children never to put their fingers or other objects into electric sockets
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cover power sockets to prevent access.
Falls
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discourage and prevent children from climbing onto unsafe places
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do not allow children to play on stairs and balconies, and, if they do, watch them closely
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use railings of appropriate width and height with vertical bars on stairs, windows or balconies
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keep the home clean, well lit and free of sharp objects and rough edges
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do not leave infants unattended on beds, cots, hammocks or in walkers or other baby equipment
Poisoning
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All medicines, chemicals and poisons should be stored in their original containers, tightly sealed and out of children's reach. Poisons should never be stored in food or beverage containers.
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Detergents, bleaches, chemicals and medicines should never be left where children can reach them. They should be tightly sealed and labeled. They should also be locked in a cupboard or trunk or put on a high shelf where children cannot see or reach them.
Dog Bites
Parents:
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Educate children. Children who understand how to act around dogs, how to play with dogs, when to leave dogs alone and how to properly meet a dog are much less likely to be bitten.
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Supervise your children. Unsupervised children may innocently wander too close to a dangerous situation.
Children:
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Don't treat a dog unkindly. Never hit, kick, slap or bite a dog or pull on his ears, tail or paws.
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Never bother dogs with puppies or dogs that are playing with toys, eating or sleeping. Don't approach a dog you don't know.
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Never approach a dog that is tied up, behind a fence or in a car.
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If you want to meet a dog, first ask the owner for permission. If the owner says it's OK, hold out your hand in a fist for the dog to sniff. If he's interested, you can give him a little scratch under the chin (not over the head) and say hello.
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If a loose dog approaches you, stand still like a tree. Keep your hands at your sides, and stay quiet and calm. Look away from the dog.
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Always make slow movements, set things down carefully and don't run when you're around dogs, as this gets them excited and they may accidently hurt you.
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