When you drop off your child at school, use this checklist to make
sure these hidden hazards aren't waiting to cause injury or death.
Drawstrings on Jackets and Sweatshirts -- There should be
no drawstrings on hoods or around the neck. Drawstrings at the waist
or bottom of jackets should extend no more than 3 inches to prevent
catching in car and school bus doors or getting caught on playground
equipment.
Loops on Window Blind Cords -- Cut the loop and attach separate
tassels to prevent entanglement and strangulation in window blind
cords. One child a month strangles and dies in the loop of a window
blind cord.
Bike Helmets -- Buy a helmet that meets one of the safety
standards (U.S. CPSC, Snell, ANSI, ASTM, or Canadian), and insist
that your children wear the helmet each time they ride their bike.
About 900 people, including more than 200 children, are killed annually
in bicycle-related incidents, and about 60 percent of these deaths
involve a head injury. More than 500,000 people are treated annually
in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries. Research
indicates that a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up
to 85 percent.
Soccer Goals -- Make sure that the athletic director or
the custodian anchors the soccer goals into the ground so that the
soccer goal will not tip over and crush a child.
Playgrounds -- Check the surfaces around playground equipment
at schools and parks to make sure there is a 12-inch depth of wood
chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested
rubber or fiber material to prevent head injury when a child falls.
Recalled Products -- Make sure your child's school has up-to-date
information on recalled toys and children's products. Schools, daycare
providers, and parents can receive recall information by writing
to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C.
20207.
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