Las Vegas, NV – Back to school is a busy time for children and families. Between school supplies, new clothes and sports tryouts, parents may not think about safety issues. During back to school time, Safe Kids Clark County and Sunrise Children’s Hospital want to remind parents to talk to their children about how to stay safe.
Pedestrian safety is important this time of year. According to a 2012 report by Safe Kids, pedestrian injuries among 16-19 year olds in the U.S. increased 25 percent over the previous five years. Teens now account for half of all pedestrian deaths among children 19 and under.
“Distraction is a big problem, both while driving and walking," said Jeanne Marsala, RN, Director of Safe Kids Clark County at Sunrise Children’s Hospital. "As kids head back to school, we’re urging parents to talk to their kids to make sure they are paying full attention when crossing the street. And we adults need to follow our own advice. If we put our devices down, our kids are more likely to do the same.”
Safe Kids and Sunrise Children’s Hospital recommend the following six tips for back to school:
- Talk to your kids about how to be safe while walking. Teach kids at an early age to put down their devices and then look left, right and left again when crossing the street.
- Walk with your kids to the bus stop and wait with them until it arrives. Teach kids to stand at least three giant steps back from the curb as the bus approaches and board the bus one at a time.
- Make sure your carpool is safe. Carpooling is a great way to save time for busy families. Make sure each child in the carpool has a car seat, booster seat or safety belt, based on individual age, weight and height. If there isn’t, find an alternative way for your child to get to and from school.
- Receive a pre-participation physical exam. Before playing organized sports, make sure your child receives a pre-participation physical exam, or PPE, by a doctor. This can help rule out any potential medical conditions that may place your young athlete at risk.
- Drink enough water. Bring a water bottle to practice and games. Encourage children to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during and after play. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends 5 oz. for an 88-pound child every 20 minutes or 9 oz. for a 132-pound adolescent every 20 minutes.
- Check playgrounds where your children play. Look for age-appropriate equipment and double check for hazards, such as rusted or broken equipment and dangerous surfaces. Report any hazards to the school or appropriate local office.
For more safety information, please visit Safe Kids.
About Safe Kids Clark County
Safe Kids Clark County works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Safe Kids Clark County is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Clark County was founded in 1993 and is led by Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center and Sunrise Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit Safe Kids Clark County or follow us on Facebook at Facebook.
About Sunrise Children’s Hospital
Sunrise Children’s Hospital is the largest, most comprehensive children’s hospital in Nevada that also serves the surrounding region and millions of visitors that come to Las Vegas. A 16-time Consumer Choice award-winning hospital and two-time “Best Hospital in Las Vegas,” Sunrise Children’s Hospital offers a full range of specialized services, including Nevada’s only pediatric heart surgery program, a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department, the largest Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in the state, a dedicated Inpatient Pediatric Unit, and Obstetricians and Pediatric Intensivists in-house 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sunrise Children’s Hospital is located on the same campus as Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center – Nevada’s largest acute care facility. Sunrise Children’s Hospital is a member of the Sunrise Health System, which includes Sunrise Hospital, MountainView Hospital and Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center. For more information, follow @SunriseHosp and Facebook.
Sunrise Children’s Hospital
3186 South Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Sunrise Children's Hospital
Need to find a physician or get answers to your health questions? Call 702-233-KIDS (5437).