Going out in public with your kids is supposed to be fun, but sometimes accidents happen. Kids are masters of slipping away just long enough to get hurt before you can intervene. And while you can’t prevent every accident, you can avoid a number of mishaps with a little extra diligence.
Whether it’s a slippery floor, an uneven sidewalk, a pothole, or a hazard on the playground, here’s how you can protect your child from common dangers.
Watch out for slippery surfaces
Checking out the floors is probably the last thing you’d consider doing while out with your child, especially if they’re younger. You have enough on your hands trying to manage grabby hands and tantrums. But it’s critical to scan for wet and slippery surfaces before your child reaches those areas. It may not always be possible if you’re juggling multiple responsibilities, but each scan can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
The areas at high risk for being slippery are entrances, restrooms, food courts, and aisles with liquid products. Many slip-and-fall injuries happen just a few steps inside the entrance of an establishment and restrooms are notorious for collecting pools of water and soap around the sinks.
Teach your child to stick close to you and hold your hand when you walk through the entrance of a store. Encouraging them to slow down, walk, and refrain from jumping around will help them avoid hazards in the restroom and other potentially dangerous areas.
File a lawsuit if your child is injured
If your child is injured in an accident in public, it’s wise to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. It’s the only way to recover the financial compensation you’ll need to pay for medical bills and other expenses. For example, if your child was injured in a fall after a missing wet floor sign in a department store, you can sue the company, and their insurance policy will pay your claim.
Just be aware that if the insurance company offers you a settlement out of court without going through your lawyer, it’s going to be an extremely low offer. Always consult an attorney before attempting to negotiate financial compensation on your own behalf.
Keep an eye out for uneven surfaces
Poorly maintained sidewalks and curbs are magnets for trip-and-fall accidents. Tens of thousands of people are injured each year because of poor walkway conditions. Common trip threats include:
- Sidewalk cracks and curbs. Curbs, regardless of condition, are always a hazard for kids. Teach your child to step off and onto curbs rather than jumping.
- Playground surfaces. Even in professionally designed play areas, there could be uneven mats, dirt, mulch, or loose gravel that can pose a trip hazard. It’s easier to just let your child run off and play, but it’s safer to do a quick inspection first.
- Transitions between two different surfaces. This includes moving from carpet to tile and from pavement to mats. Since children have shorter strides, they’re more likely to trip over these transitions.
- Potholes. Potholes are notorious for causing fall injuries that involve broken bones. Scan asphalt surfaces for hazards and be ready to tell your child to stop if you see danger.
Teach your child safe habits for using stairs
There’s only so much you can do to protect your child from existing hazards. One of the most impactful things is teaching your child how to use stairs safely. Steps are a serious fall hazard. A study from the Center for Injury Research and Policy found that over 93,000 children under the age of five were treated for stair-related injuries every year between 1999 and 2008.
To avoid injury, teach your child to hold the handrail at all times and go slowly. It also helps to avoid carrying your child up and down stairs. Even when they’re really young, it’s safer to teach them how to walk up the stairs while holding your hand. It might take longer but the alternative is risky.
Provide footwear with traction
As kids get older, they tend to reject the fashion choices their parents prefer, but don’t let that stop you from dressing them in footwear with traction. Non-slip shoes are essential for public outings and will reduce the risk of slips and falls more than dress shoes and flip-flops. Proper footwear is even more important in the winter when conditions are constantly wet and/or icy.
Safety is a shared effort
Not every injury is preventable, but some are. By scanning for hazards, teaching your child how to climb stairs safely, and holding their hand in hazardous areas, you can keep your child out of the ER.