Injury Prevention

Riding ATVs or 4-wheelers is a common activity in South Mississippi for all ages, especially in the summer. Even though it's hot outside, it's important to wear all safety equipment, including a helmet, goggles, gloves, pants and boots. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of Traumatic Brain Injury by 60 percent.

According to safekids.org, these are tips on preventing burns and scalds:

• Formula and Milk - Due to uneven heating and "hot spots", avoid using microwaves to heat milk or formula. Always test the temperature of milk or formula before giving it to your baby.
• Cooking - Teach young children to stay at least 3 feet from cooking space. Cook on the back burners of the stove and turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove. Keep hot food and drink away from the edge of the counter and table. 
• Bathing - Check bathwater temperatures before placing your child in the bath. The water should feel warm, not hot. Place your child in the bath facing away from the water faucet. This way they are not tempted to touch the hot faucet and turn on the hot water.
• Fireplaces - Keep children away from fireplaces. Make sure your fireplace has a safety screen and keep remote controls out of children's reach and sight. Hot glass takes more than an hour to cool down after turned off.
• Candles - Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or before going to sleep.
• Lighters and Matches - Teach children that it is not safe to play with matches, lighters, or fireworks. 
• Appliances - Unplug and safely store irons, flatirons, and other appliances. These become very hot and take a long time to cool down. Do not leave these unattended when in use. 
• Batteries - Keep devices with button batteries out of children's reach. When swallowed, a child's saliva triggers an electrical current which can cause a severe chemical burn in their esophagus. If a child swallows a button battery, go the emergency room immediately. 

Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces your risk of injury during a motor vehicle crash. It is important for everyone in the car to properly war a seatbelt. 

The best way to keep your child safe in the car is the use the right car seat in the right way. According to safekids.org:

• Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable death and injury to children in the United States. 
• It is important to buy the correct car seat for your child's age and properly install the car seat.
• It is recommended that you place your baby in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible until 2 or more years of age.
• It is imperative to pay close attention to the label on the car seat, making sure your child is within the weight, height, and age limits.
• Don't be in a rush to move your child out of a booster seat. The adult seat belt usually does not fit well until a child is between 8 and 12 years old, depending on the size of your child. 

1. LEARN THE FACTS

• 30-40% of children are abused by family members
• 40% of victims are abused by older or larger children
• 35% of victims are 11 years of age and younger
• Domestic violence can affect a child’s mental well-being well into adulthood.

2. LEARN THE WARNING SIGNS

• Physical Signs: Redness and Bruising, Broken Bones, Self-Harm, Pain/Discomfort in any body part, Unexplained injury, Patterned injury, Burns, Scalding Injury, Bite Marks
• Non-Physical Signs: children may show heightened anxiety and fear, behavioral issues (angry outbursts), inability to concentrate and poor academic performance, depression, withdrawal, avoidance of certain people, mood changes, sleep pattern variations including increased nightmares and/or bed-wetting, normalized criminal activity or abuse of others, and inappropriate sexual behavior.

3. MINIMIZE OPPORTUNITY

• Choose group situations and assure trusted adult supervision at all times.
• Abusers often become friendly with potential victims and family to earn trust and gain alone time with children. Drop in unexpectedly when children are alone with an adult or other youth, even if it is a trusted family member or friend.
• Monitor internet use. 1 in 5 children are approached by predators online.
• Talk with your child and take note specific detail of how time has been spent.
• If you suspect child abuse, report it.

When driving, it is important to always be focused on the road. Avoid using a cell phone to make texts or calls while driving. Other distractions that increase the risk of a crash include speeding, loud music, too many passengers, and alcohol in the vehicle.

If you have a teenager, make sure you help them understand the importance of safe driving, as well as the consequences of distracted driving.

Falls make up 33 percent of the trauma registry visits at Forrest General. Falls are most common in seniors, but they can happen to anyone. Spend time making sure your home and the homes of loved-ones are fall-proof.

Fireworks are quite common for many festive holidays in South Mississippi. If you have children, it is important to always have adult supervision when handling fireworks. Hand-held sparklers are often seen as not very dangerous, but they can cause serious burns. Wearing protective eyewear can also minimize the risk of injury. If an eye injury does occur, DO NOT try to treat it yourself, come see a medical professional.

More than half of fatal motorcycle crashes result from collisions with other vehicles. 

1. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET

• Use a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant motorcycle helmet to protect your brain during a crash.  Look for the DOT symbol on the helmet.

2. GEAR UP AND BE VISIBLE

• Arms and legs should be completely covered by wearing leather or heavy denim.
• Boots or shoes should be high enough to cover your ankles.
• Gloves should be worn to protect your hands and provide a better grip.
• Brightly colored clothing with reflective material makes you more visible to other drivers.
• Use headlights, even during the day.

3. RIDE ALERT

• Avoid alcohol and drugs that impair alertness and reduce reaction time.
• Some prescribed medications negatively affect judgement, coordination, balance, throttle control, and ability to shift gears.
• Try to predict what other vehicles and/or pedestrians will do.

4. MAINTAIN A SAFE BIKE FOR THE ROAD

• Check tire pressure and tread depth, hand/foot brakes, headlights, signal indicators, and fluid levels before you ride.
• Secure and balance cargo, as well as adjusting suspension and/or tire pressure to accommodate extra weight.

5. DRIVERS BE MINDFUL AND READY TO REACT

• Be aware of motorcyclist on the road. Motorcycles are less visible than full sized automobiles due to size.
• Anticipate motorcycle riding practices, such as downshifting, and be ready to respond quickly and appropriately. Stay back to maintain a safe following distance.
• Look twice when changing lanes. Check mirrors, blind spots, and use turn signals.

1. PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN

• Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured.
• Supervise children around any animal.  Never leave children unsupervised with any animal, even if it is your trusted, beloved pet. ANY DOG CAN BITE.
• Do not allow children near dogs during feeding time.
• Teach children to avoid dogs they don’t know.

2. SAFETY GUIDELINES

• Ask the owner if it is OK to pet the dog. Dogs are protective of their owners and their homes.
• Let the dog see and sniff you before petting it. Keep your hands by your side and do not reach toward a dog’s face.
• Do not run toward a dog. Dogs often bite when they are scared.
• If an unfamiliar dog approaches, stay calm and avoid eye contact. Stand still or back away slowly. Avoid sudden movements.
• Do not approach a dog while it is eating. Some dogs can be aggressive around food.
• If a dog is injured or in pain, use extreme caution when approaching the animal.

3. PREVENT YOUR DOG FROM BITING

• Keep your dog on a leash when in public.
• Enroll your dog in training classes.

4. IDENTIFY AGGRESSION

• Learn to recognize dog body language and identify aggressive posture in dogs including averted gaze, licking of lips, ears back, stiff and forward movement of body.

It is very important for vehicle occupants to wear their seatbelts when traveling to avoid traumatic injuries. We want to help keep Mississippi safe by encouraging all drivers and passengers to always buckle up. Here are some facts about seatbelt safety in Mississippi (CDC.gov).

• 5,135 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in Mississippi from 2009 - 2018.
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people age 1 - 54 in the US.
• 83% of Mississippi residents claim to wear of seat belt at all times in a vehicle.
• The death rate for male vehicle occupant deaths is double that of female deaths.

To learn more about seat belt safety, click here.

Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning.  Three children die every day as a result of drowning. 

• Learn to swim. Keep within your fitness and swimming abilities. Don’t float where you can’t swim. Stay dry when waves are high.
• Swim near a lifeguard. Never swim alone, regardless of age. Never overestimate your swimming ability. Designate a WATER WATCHER. An appropriate water watcher is at least 16 years of age; however, adults are preferred. The watcher should have skills to recognize someone in distress and should know CPR. The watcher should have a working phone and be able to call 9-1-1 if needed. The watcher should be alert and not under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The watcher should have a floating or reaching object that can be used to rescue.
• Be alert. Do not drink alcohol or use mood altering medications while swimming. Keep track of weather conditions.

• Practice feet first water entry. Diving headfirst into shallow water can cause life-altering spinal damage and paralysis. Enter the water feet first and check for depth and obstructions. Never dive into unknown water.

• Wear a life jacket. Children and non-swimmers should wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket when in or around the water. Do not rely on inner tubes, plastic air floats or inflatable toys. 
• Be aware of water conditions such as RIP CURRENTS. Do not become a victim trying to help someone else. Seek help from a lifeguard. Relax if caught in a RIP current. Swim out of the current, then to shore.