Some trips to urgent care can’t be avoided: illness and accidents are regrettably part of growing up, but many are preventable childhood injuries. Many of these trips may be avoided entirely, when parents are cognizant of the most common cause of injuries for children.
Falls: Falls are the most common cause of injury for all children 15 years old and younger, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It’s not surprising. From falling out of trees, off bikes and skateboards and off playground equipment, gravity’s the biggest culprit in pediatric injuries. Many of these injuries are preventable, though: Insist on helmets while on bikes and other transportation, try to keep play areas padded and ensure windows have latches.
Motor Vehicle Accidents: Nearly 150 children receive emergency treatment every hour for accidents suffered in car wrecks, according to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Parents can drop the risk of injuries by reducing driving distractions, and making sure children are using the proper safety restraint for their size:
- 22 pounds and under: rear-facing car seats
- 23-40 pounds: forward-facing car seats
- 41-80 pounds: booster seats with seatbelts
- 81 pounds and above: seat belts
Burns: About 150 children receive emergency treatment every day for burns, according to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Be vigilant and know the most common sources of injury: Young children are more likely to suffer burns from hot liquid or stem, while older kids are most commonly burned by direct contact with fire.
Sports Injuries: Organized sports promote healthy lifestyles, but can also be a source of injury. About 3.5 million children under the age of 14 each year suffer a sports-related injury or get hurt in a recreational activity, according to Johns Hopkins University. Most injuries, 62 percent, occur in practice, and many children are hospitalized for overexertion outside of organized sports.
You’ll never fully protect your child from injuries, and Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado is here to help.