Child Safety

The job of protecting kids most often falls to parents and caregivers, and it is up to them to familiarize themselves with safety risks in and around their homes and communities. A child's age can impact the type of risks they face. Teens are more at risk when learning to drive, for example, while babies or toddlers may face greater danger around water. Once you know the risks, you can take steps to keep them safe.

Safety Strategies for the Teen Years

Driving

A teen’s biggest safety threat is sitting in the driveway. Half of all teens will be in a car crash before graduating from high school. Teen drivers who continue to practice with their parents increase their chances of avoiding a crash.

Substance Use

Adolescent drug fatalities have more than doubled in recent years, primarily due to opioids. Parents and caregivers have a role in educating and connecting with their teens about substance misuse to reduce its harm. Access our free Connect2Prevent training for interesting, easy-to-follow lessons designed by experts to help you feel more confident talking to your loved ones about opioid use.

Concussions

Every three minutes, a child in the U.S. is treated for a sports-related concussion. Learn how to identify concussion symptoms and steps to keep kids safer on the playing field.

Distracted Walking

There has been a demographic shift in who is more at risk for being struck by a vehicle while walking. Before cell phones, it was children ages 5 to 9. Today, teenagers are much more likely to be hit by a car. Cell phones are a deadly distraction.

Water Safety

While drowning is the leading cause of death for 1- to 4-year-olds, drownings continue to be the third leading cause of preventable death for 15- to 24-year-olds. Learn how swimmers in this age group can stay safe.

Younger Children May Face Different Risks

Child Passenger Safety

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for kids and young adults from ages 1-24. Properly securing kids in car seats, booster seats and seat belts can protect them in the event of a crash. NSC offers tools and tips on keeping your children safe on the road.

Water Safety

Many are aware of the importance of safety around pools and at the beach. Parents also need to supervise their children near bathtubs. Most drowning or near-drowning incidents happen when a child falls into a pool or is left alone in the bathtub. Distractions make for tragedies, and the younger the child, the greater the risk.

Childproofing

Learn the highest risk areas for unintentional injury and death in and around your home. Take steps to childproof your home and be sure to extend your efforts beyond toddlers. Develop a home safety plan, and practice different ways to get out of your home. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Lead Poisoning

Millions of kids are exposed to high levels of lead every day. Children under the age of 6 are especially vulnerable because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Learn what you can do to prevent lead poisoning.

Risks of Button Batteries

Young children have a tendency to put things in their mouths. Every parent knows this, but parents don't always recognize the hidden dangers lurking inside seemingly harmless items, such as remote control devices and keyless remote door openers for vehicles. Button batteries if swallowed can cause serious injury or death.

Staying Safe at School

As summer draws to a close and children start heading back to school, family life can get pretty hectic. It's important to remember – and share with your children – some key tips that will help keep them safe and healthy throughout the school year.

Playground Safety

Playgrounds are a place for fun and a place for skinned knees. Nearly 80% of playground injuries are caused by falls. Parents can take the hurt out of the equation by familiarizing themselves with safety risks and watching for potential hazards.

Children and Medicines

Dangerous poisons are lurking in your medicine cabinet. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can be deadly, especially for children. Store medicine up and away from small children. Talk with older kids about the danger of using medications in unintended ways.

Staying Safe Outdoors

NSC offers a wide range of tips to help you and your family stay safe outdoors. Whether the weather is warm or cold, you don’t want to put an end to the fun because of an injury.

Window Safety

More than 3,000 children are injured seriously enough in falls out of windows to require medical attention every year. One child dies every month from window cord strangulation. Learn about risks children face around windows, and also how windows are vital to survival as emergency escape routes.