Keeping children safe is a problem which is universal. All parents dread their child getting injured or hurt and want to keep them safe. When children are injured and harmed, the average parent does not cause the harm or injury. Child safety issues in America seem to be increasing due to inappropriate parenting and children living in poorer communities. Over 9 million children are treated for injuries in emergency rooms yearly. In America, many of our urban areas are filled with violence and shootings, causing accidental injuries and death. This is a great fear for many parents and a cause for concern on a daily basis. In addition to these accidental injuries, abuse and various forms of neglect cause additional injuries to children.

In 2012, there were 1,114,759 children living in Louisiana - 8,344 children were victims of abuse and neglect. Louisiana is ranked 50th among states in percent of babies born at low birth weight and 48th among states in its infant mortality rates. Seventy-eight children and teens were killed by firearms in homicides and 17 children and teens were killed by firearms in suicides.

Here are Some Safeguards for Infants and Children

Do safety checks around the house

• Check top and bottom kitchen cabinets
• Stairways
• Tables and chairs
• Electrical plugs
• Hanging chords from lamps and blinds

Learn the characteristics of a good toy

• Attractive in shape and color
• Durable
• Encourages creativity
• Easily cleaned
• Safe

Toy evaluation

• Safety
• Durability
• Encourages creativity
• Educational

First crawl checklist

• Cover electrical outlets
• Dangerous objects have been removed from floor
• Breakable objects have been placed out of reach
• Poisons and cleaning supplies are out of reach
• Sharp objects have been removed
• Gates have been installed
• Tablecloths and dangling objects have been removed

Safeguard Solutions for Adolescents

• Parents knowing what appropriate adolescent behaviors are.
• Parents letting children assume responsibility for their misfortunes and mistakes without putting them down or blaming them.
• Parents teaching the child a proper sense of responsibility by modeling appropriate behaviors.
• Parents knowing when to discipline and issue appropriate consequences for their child’s inappropriate behavior.
• Parents teaching values and morals through family life experiences and examples.
• Parents refraining from blaming others for their child’s lack of discipline and self-control.
• Parents demonstrating tough love and not demonstrating a permissive, culturally friendly style of parenting.
• Parents teaching the golden rule and allowing children to treat others as they want to be treated.
• Parents realizing that tough choices and challenges are the beauty of responsible parenting.
• Parents praising their child’s accomplishments and validating self-worth while recognizing their successes and acknowledging their weaknesses.

Resources:

Healthy Beginnings for Your Baby
Children’s Defense Fund