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SALT LAKE CITY -- Safety advocates are launching a month-long campaign to prevent summer injuries. They say a few decisions parents make now could keep our kids out of the emergency room.
Decision No. 1: Buy your child a bike helmet. Bicycle accidents are one of the leading causes of deaths and injuries, and a helmet could prevent many of them.
Decision No. 2: Properly install your child's car seat. Seven out of 10 seats are improperly installed, and the state is offering dozens of opportunities in the coming weeks to fix that.
Seven out of 10 child car seats are improperly installed, and the state is offering dozens of opportunities in the coming weeks to fix that.
Also, resolve to closely supervise your children -- especially around at the pool.
Christi Fisher of Safe Kids Utah says it's crucial "to be there to be watching constantly, to not take your mind off, your eyes off when they are playing in the water."
The same applies to children's summer sports. Most injuries take place during practice, not the game.
"Be out there," Fisher urges. "Be aware of what they're doing, what they're playing, how they're playing."
In Safe Kids' national ranking a few years ago, Utah came in 39th in child safety during the summer months.
Advocates want to change that. They're hosting a month's worth of free car seat checkpoints, safety fairs and other events. To find one in your area, CLICK HERE.
E-mail: dwimmer@ksl.com
