Doctor's Top Tips to Prevent Child Injuries

Pediatric doctor Dr. Meghan Martin has outlined the most frequent ways children sustain injuries, emphasizing that many of these incidents are entirely preventable. These accidents are identified as the primary cause of death for children in the United States, with devastating consequences for families and communities.

Dr. Martin shared critical advice on preventing high-impact injuries, including adhering to safe sleep practices by ensuring infants sleep alone, on their back, and in a crib. Water safety is paramount, requiring pool fences, swim skills, and constant supervision. For vehicle safety, the doctor advised using the correct car seat or booster for every ride and avoiding premature transitions.

Further recommendations include consistent helmet use for all rides on bikes, scooters, and skates. The doctor also stressed the importance of keeping medications out of reach and childproofing homes with safety gates. For older children, modeling safe driving and discussing risks are crucial, as is teaching pedestrian safety and caution with high-speed devices like ATVs and e-scooters.