Child Injuries At Home
July 7th, 2008
Hazard: Your Bathroom!
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), each year more children die of unintentional injuries in the home than from all childhood diseases combined. Over 3.4 million children per year are treated in emergency rooms due to household injuries according to Safe Kids USA. In 2004, approximately 2,300 children under the age of 14 died from accidental injuries in the United States. Most of these accidents are preventable - especially if parents are alerted to the hidden hazards in the home.
The bathroom remains one of the most dangerous rooms in the home. The National Safety Council estimates that 200,000+ injuries occur each year in bathrooms due to slips on wet floors and drowning accidents. Young children are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries in the bathroom as they do not fully understand the dangers of slippery surfaces such as marble tile or porcelain tubs. Whether you are a first time parent or an experienced one, keeping bathroom safety top of mind can help reduce the risk of accidental injuries to your children.
You’re right, you tend to think of your home as a safe place but it can potentially be a very dangerous place, especially the bathroom. I had my three year old slip and fall in the shower a few months ago and she hit the back of her head. She was all soaped up and I was in the shower with her and she slipped right out of my hands while I was washing her. Down she went and it all happened in the blink of an eye. We did not end up in the emergency room but she ended up with a big lump on the back of her head. I felt horrible and stupid because I pride myself on being safety conscious. I really look forward to trying the wash mitts when they come out.
Brilliant!