Maximizing Success
CHILDHOOD INJURY PREVENTION
Our Childhood Injury Prevention Program raises awareness and educates parents, caregivers and early childhood education staff on childhood injury prevention strategies to make homes, automobiles and communities safer for children ages zero through five. The program provides parents/caregivers with safety resources and products such as (but not limited to): electric outlet covers, cribs, choke test tubes, helmets, cabinets and toilet seat locks, smoke alarms, and bath thermometers. Last year we were able to conduct over 85 trainings and reach over 1,300 parents to provide safety information and products.
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In San Diego County, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among young children ages 1-5 years. Recommendations in the San Diego Report Card on Children and Families for Unintentional Injury, point to the need for additional education and training for parents and caregivers regarding safety prevention.
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CHILDHOOD INJURIES ARE PREDICTABLE
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that childhood injuries are predictable, preventable, and among the most under-recognized public health problems facing our country. Unintentional injuries (sometimes called accidents) are the leading cause of hospitalization and death among children. Nationally, about 1 in 5 U.S. child deaths is caused by an injury:
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Among infants, the most common cause of injury-related death is suffocation.
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For children ages 1 to 4 years, the leading causes are drowning and transportation-related injuries.
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Among infants and young children under age 5, fires/burns, poisoning, and falls are also causes of injury-related deaths.
