Childhood is a special time, and every child needs proper care and protection. Even a minor injury has the potential to affect a child’s development, and many newborns suffer from injuries during the delivery process. Most of these injuries heal without treatment. But in some cases, prompt and proper treatment can help manage birth-related injuries.
It is important to seek medical help after a birth incident to protect your child from suffering further harm. Children go through various phases during which they rapidly develop both physically and mentally. However, every child develops differently, and it is necessary to cater to each child’s needs, especially if they have suffered some kind of birth injury.
Parents should carefully monitor their children’s development to identify whether there are any delays or deficits resulting from trauma as a newborn. Any type of birth injury can affect a child’s physical and emotional development. Below, we will talk about some of the common injuries that kids are most prone to experience. Continue reading to learn about the common types of injuries and what preventive measures you can take.
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Types of Injuries That Children Commonly Suffer
As a parent, it is important to take precautionary measures to lower the risks of common childhood injuries in your home. Some of the most common childhood injuries and accidents include:
- Fall accidents
Injuries resulting from falls are the leading cause of children’s injuries on playgrounds or at home. A fall is most likely to happen when a child is playing or running. Some of the most common types of accidents that may lead to a fall injury include:
- Falling from stairs
- Falling from an elevated bed without proper railings
- Slipping in a bathtub or on another slick surface
- Tripping on a cluttered walkway
- Falling from an open window
- Falling from an elevated landing
- Baby walker accidents
To reduce the likelihood of these types of accidents, it is important to teach your child to exercise caution while walking and to wear the proper footwear.
- Motor vehicle accidents
Vehicle accidents are the most common causes of critical injuries among children and teenagers. The leading causes of car accidents include distracted driving, driver inexperience, speeding, alcohol or drugs, and night-time driving. You should not allow your child to walk alone on active roadways, and it is important to hold a young child’s hand in the street.
- Cuts and puncture wounds
Children often experience accidental injuries when they play outdoors. Scratches and cuts may occur when they mishandle sharp or pointed objects. These injuries are especially common for kids ages 5 to 14 years old. You should never neglect even a seemingly minor cut or puncture wound. When left untreated, a small wound may become infected and lead to serious complications. You should get emergency care for your child’s cut or puncture wound in the following situations:
- If the bleeding does not stop within 15 minutes.
- When the wound causes your child to experience numbness or an inability to move fingers, toes, arms, legs, joints, or other parts of the body.
- When a child experiences injury on the head or face, especially when the wound is close to an eye.
- The injury was caused by an animal or human bite that punctured the skin.
- The wound is bleeding heavily and causing extreme pain.
- The wound is showing signs of infection, which may include skin redness, fever, swelling or drainage, or foul odor.
If your child has been accidentally harmed as a result of someone else’s negligence or fault, you can file a personal injury claim on their behalf.
Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney can make all the difference in securing fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
- Burn accidents
Mild burns are common for kids and may occur when a child comes in contact with flames, hot surfaces, hot liquid, or steam. Burn injuries may become serious very quickly if they are not treated properly. The following are the common types of burns:
- Chemical burns, which may be caused by acids or solvent cleaners, such as bleach, ammonia, and paint thinner.
- Electrical burns, which may be caused by contact with an electrical current.
- Radiation burns or sunburn.
- Cold burns, such as frostbite.
Following a burn, your child may require emergency specialty care, especially in the case of the following situations:
- The child experiences burns on their face, ears, hands, feet, or genital area.
- The size of the burn is larger than the size of the child’s palm.
- The burns appear to go beyond the surface and are causing severe pain and discoloration.
- Bites and stings
Bites and stings, such as dog bites or bee stings, can happen at nearly any time and anywhere. These injuries are common and require proper medical attention. You should get in touch with a medical professional right away to determine the best course of treatment for your child. Seek immediate emergency care in the following situations:
- A wild animal bit your child.
- The animal or insect bites broke the skin.
- The wound resulting from the bite or sting is larger than half an inch and located on the face or near the eye.
- The bite is from a poisonous snake or a poisonous insect.
Seeking proper medical treatment can help to minimize the impact of any injuries that your child sustains.
What can you do to prevent child injuries?
Childhood injury prevention starts at home, and parents should ensure that the home is as child-safe as possible. Children spend most of their time at home, and the most common childhood injuries occur where children live and play. The following steps can help you prevent child injuries and safeguard your child’s health:
Supervise your child’s activities
You should make the necessary adjustments to your home and appropriately supervise your child’s activities.
- Remove dangerous objects from your child’s reach, including:
- Sharp objects, such as scissors, pencils, and knives.
- Hot substances, such as hot drinks and food.
- Small objects, such as coins and nuts.
- Stools or other small pieces of furniture.
- Breakable glass containers and plates.
- Household cleaning agents, medicines, and toiletries.
- Plastic bags, strings, and cords.
- Take the following safety measures to reduce the risk of injuries:
- Use gates and barriers for kitchen areas and other rooms in which there may be safety hazards.
- Cover electrical outlets to prevent electric shock.
- Use childproof locks and door stoppers.
- Use corner guards on sharp parts of furniture.
- Take your child for regular health checkups
Regardless of your child’s age, regular health checkups are essential for all infants, children, and adolescents. Visiting a medical professional for a checkup can help reduce potential risks at the earliest stage. Your child’s doctors can evaluate the child’s health and make suggestions to maintain or improve it.
Despite the best precautions, accidents that lead to critical injuries may still occur and negatively affect your child’s life. Be sure to seek proper treatment so a minor injury does not have a significant impact on your child’s life. If your child has been seriously harmed in an accident, you can seek assistance from a skilled Philadelphia Child Injury Attorney to learn about the legal options available to you.