A pediatrician has highlighted the most frequent ways children get hurt and offered tips on preventing these incidents.
Dr. Meghan Martin, a Florida-based doctor known online as @beachgem10, frequently provides parenting advice through her social media platforms.
In a recent video post, the pediatrician and mother discussed the types of injuries she often encounters, noting that such mishaps are the primary cause of child fatalities in the United States.
‘Many of the injuries I see in the emergency department are preventable,’ she captioned the video.
While she mentioned that many of these injuries are minor, she emphasized that some can lead to severe consequences.
“Simple adjustments can have a significant effect. I assure you, the safety of these children is worth the effort,” she stated.
Dr. Martin expressed sorrow over how preventable accidents can permanently alter the lives of families and communities.
The most common, she said, are gun violence, car crashes, drownings, and poisonings.
Florida-based Dr Meghan Martin explained using car seats, installing pool fences, using gun locks, helmets and practicing safe sleep are the best ways to keep kids safe (stock image)
‘For every child that dies, many more are severely injured,’ she continued. ‘And most of these tragedies are preventable.’
The medical professional then went on to detail some ‘high impact’ ways to keep kids safe.
She first focused on safe sleep for youngsters by urging parents to follow the ABCs – alone, on their back and in a crib.
Next was water safety, as the doctor urged people to install pool fences, teach swim skills and to always stay within arm’s reach of their children.
Third, Dr Martin shared how to keep children safe in vehicles.
‘Use the right car seat or booster every ride,’ she suggested. ‘Do not rush transitions – it’s not a race.’
Another non-negotiable for the doctor is to wear a helmet every ride and every time.
‘Bikes, scooters, roller skates – all of it,’ she listed.
Ensuring medication is out of reach of children is another preventable disaster, as is childproofing the home with Dr Martin using stair gates as an example (stock image)
Ensuring medication is out of reach of children is another preventable disaster, as is childproofing the home with Dr Martin using stair gates as an example.
But her tips did not stop with young children, with Dr Martin reminding parents to be cautious of their teens too.
‘Model safe driving,’ she urged. ‘Talk openly about the risks.’
She said to also teach pedestrian safety, by teaching kids how to use crosswalks and look up at traffic rather than down at their phones.
Elsewhere, the medical expert urged people to be cautious when using high high-speed devices.
‘Think twice before letting unlicensed drivers on ATVs, e-bikes and e-scooters,’ she suggested.
Dr Martin said being mindful of these potential threats can help save a child.
‘We’ve seen so many accidents,’ she reflected. ‘Small steps save lives.’
