Does it surprise you to learn that more than 12,000 spinal cord injuries are reported every year in the United States? That’s a huge number of possibly life-changing injuries and a large number of them involve children. It can be especially difficult when these injuries affect kids because they often could have been prevented if they were supervised correctly by an adult. Here are a few things you can do to protect your kids from spinal cord injuries.
Take action to decrease their chances of slipping
Slipping hazards can be a cause of an accident that leads to spinal cord injuries. Be aware of throw lugs that kids can slip on when running, and try to ensure that your floors and pathways don’t have debris on them. Finally, make sure that common areas and stairways are well lit at all times.
Be aware that guns are often involved in spinal cord injuries
You should talk to your children about guns. If you don’t have guns in the house then you should let them know what to do if they see one in the home of one of their friends. If you do have guns in the house then you should keep them locked up and give kids age-appropriate about handling them if necessary or avoiding them. Don’t allow kids to play in an area with a gun. Teach them how to resolve issues without using weapons and store your bullets in a different place than you store your gun.
Safety gear is essential
When your kids are taking part in sporting events, whether they’re league games or a casual game around the neighborhood, insist on safety gear that’s appropriate for that sport. Make sure they know the rules of the game and are following them. Have an adult supervise all sporting matches.
Be aware of how to keep kids safe in pools
There are many reasons you want to keep your kids safe in pools. First, you want to avoid drowning accidents, which are the leading cause of death for many young age groups. Second, if you let children dive in water that’s less deep than nine feet then it could lead to a spinal cord accident. Ensure your kids only swim in pools that are well lit and that clearly indicate where they can dive. An adult or lifeguard should always be present.
Seatbelts are essential
The best way to keep your child safe in a car is to ensure they’re wearing their seatbelt and any other safety devices recommend or required for their age group.
While following these rules may reduce the chances of your child being injured, there’s no way to keep them 100% safe 100% of the time. If it’s already too late to follow these tips, then a spinal cord injury attorney can help you get what you’re entitled to. Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 right away for your free consultation.
