Unintentional brain injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in children. Parents may not always be able to keep their children from getting hurt, but there are some simple things they can do to make injury less likely. Protecting a child's head from falls and motor vehicle crashes is one of the most important things. Please take a few minutes to read through the information below.

A parent's role as a teacher and role model:
At this age, children will begin making their own safety decisions. Parents will not always be present to protect them, however it is still their role as teachers to guide them in making proper choices. Parents still need to enforce the safety rules for their children such as wearing seatbelts, wearing a helmet while riding their bikes or never touching a gun.

The other role parents play at this age is that of a role model. Children will mimic the behavior of their parents, therefore if the parent wears seatbelt, it increases the likelihood that their children will when they are not with their parents.

Parents should remain active in their children’s lives by knowing their friends, habits and activities so that they can detect differences in their children that could indicate a bigger issue such as suicidal thoughts, gang activity or improper decision making.

It is our hope that the following information will assist parents in raising a healthy, happy and safe child.

The biggest risk for children at this age:

Car Crashes:
Children should always wear seatbelts no matter where they are seated in the car. It is important to discuss not riding with friends who speed or are intoxicated, but parents also need to gauge their children’s skills at driving before giving them reign at the wheel. It takes an average of five years to develop skills in collision avoidance. Teens should consider taking an additional safety course besides the traditional driver's education. Your child does not have to start driving on their own at any age. Newer cars often have added safety features that parents should consider when buying cars for their children.

Falls/Drowning:
Teenagers should still wear correctly fitted helmets when riding a bike, scooter, ATV or while roller skating to protect their heads from brain injuries. If they are in large bodies of water, teach them to wear a personal flotation device to protect themselves from drowning. For more information, visit www.thinkfirst.org.

Fire:
Parents must ensure their house has smoke detectors and that they are checked regularly. For more information on home fire safety, visit www.charlottefire.org.

Poisoning:
At this age it is important to discuss the consequences of mixing and overdosing on medications, illegal drugs or other inhalants. If a poisoning is suspected call 1-800-222-1222. For more information on poison prevention, visit www.ncpoison.org. For more information on substance abuse, visit www.preventionservices.org or a school substance abuse counselor.

Outdoor Safety:
Parents should make sure that their children know how to safely engage in outdoor activities on their own such as walking, biking and mowing the lawn. Fireworks should be handled with adult supervision and teenagers should follow all safety guidelines when using them. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov

Fire Arms:
Parents should ensure that all firearms are locked away unloaded in a cabinet or with a trigger lock and stored away from the ammunition in their homes and in the homes where their children play. For more information, visit www.thinkfirst.org or www.charmeck.org/Departments/MCSO/Home.htm.

Sports Safety:
During sport activities, parents should ensure that their children are wearing all the protective gear required of that sport and that safety precautions are taken during games and practices. For more information, visit www.aaos.org/wordhtml/prevspor.htm or www.nata.org.

Youth violence:
Youth violence includes aggressive behaviors such as verbal abuse, bullying, hitting, slapping or fist fighting. Parents should teach their children other outlets for expressing anger and encourage positive activities. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov or www.safeyouth.org.

Suicide rates among youth remain unacceptably high. If parents know their child, they can often detect changes in patterns that may indicate a problem. For more information, visit www.save.org.

Children who have had an injury in the past, a developmental delay of some type, or are in homes with domestic violence, substance abuse or mental health issues, may be at greater risk for injury and may require additional protective measures.

For more information on childhood injuries locally visit, www.carolinasinjuryprevention.com or www.safekidscharmeck.org. For national information visit www.cdc.gov, www.usa.safekids.org or www.aap.org.

If children play at other friend's houses or stay with other caregivers outside their homes, parents should ensure the same guidelines for safety are followed at that house.

This article is provided strictly as a service and for informational purposes. Carolinas Medical Center makes no representations or warranties about the information in this article and this article is not intended to replace any advice or information from your pediatrician. This article does not guarantee that an infant or child will not suffer injury or death even if all guidelines are followed.