Preventing Childhood Injuries

Summary

In a discussion with Dr. E. Faye Williams, National President and CEO of the National Congress of Black Women, Candace Kelley addresses the alarming statistics of unintentional injuries among children, with over 12,000 deaths annually. The conversation highlights the importance of teaching safety measures, close supervision of young children, and the use of non-toxic household products. It also touches on the higher risks faced by certain ethnic groups, particularly African American children, due to substandard housing conditions, and emphasizes the need for vigilance and communication to prevent such tragedies.

Takeaways

• 📊 According to the CDC, over 12,000 children die each year from unintentional injuries, with more than 9.2 million treated for non-fatal injuries, highlighting the severity of this issue.
• 👩‍⚕️ Dr. E. Faye Williams, National President and CEO of the National Congress of Black Women, discusses the groups at the highest risk of injuries and prevention strategies.
• 🔥 Common causes of unintentional injuries among children include burns, poisoning, falls, and drownings, emphasizing the need for targeted safety measures.
• 👦🏽 Young males are more prone to injuries, but girls can also suffer as many injuries when participating in the same sports, indicating the importance of gender-inclusive safety education.
• 👶 Close supervision and constant vigilance are crucial for very young children, especially to prevent suffocation, underscoring the role of caregivers in injury prevention.
• 🏊‍♂️ Drowning is a significant risk for children aged 1 to 4 years, requiring careful monitoring around water sources such as swimming pools and bathtubs.
• 🏠 Household cleaning and washing products should be non-toxic and stored out of children's reach, with safety caps and packaging to prevent accidental ingestion.
• 🔒 Implementing safety measures such as door locks and covering open water sources is essential to prevent young children from accessing dangerous areas.
• 🌐 Various organizations like the World Health Organization, CDC, and Safe Kids provide reports and guidelines on preventing childhood injuries, indicating the availability of resources for safety education.
• 🏘️ African American children are particularly at risk due to factors such as substandard housing and lack of safety equipment like fire alarms, pointing to socio-economic disparities in injury risks.
• 🚗 Traffic accidents are a notable concern for white children, with the 13-14 age group being particularly vulnerable, emphasizing the need for comprehensive road safety education.
• 👀 The key to preventing injuries is being a vigilant 'watchdog' and communicating safety precautions to children, especially those who are old enough to understand.

Q & A

How many children die each year from unintentional injuries according to the CDC?

According to the CDC, more than 12,000 children die each year from unintentional injuries.

What is the number of children treated for non-fatal injuries annually?

Over 9.2 million children are treated for non-fatal injuries each year.

What types of injuries are primarily discussed in the script?

The script primarily discusses burns, poisonings, falls, and drownings.

Who is at a higher risk of injuries according to the initial assumption in the script?

The initial assumption in the script is that young males might be more inclined to injure themselves.

What does Dr. E. Faye Williams say about the injury rates among girls and boys playing the same sport?

Dr. E. Faye Williams states that when girls and boys are playing the same sport, girls tend to have as many or more injuries than the boys.

What is the first step suggested for preventing injuries from poisoning?

The first step suggested is for parents, teachers, grandparents, etc., to teach safety measures.

Why is constant supervision important for very small children, especially in relation to suffocation?

Constant supervision is important for very small children because they are more susceptible to suffocation and may not understand the risks associated with certain activities.

What precautions should be taken with water around the house for children aged 1 to 4 years old?

Precautions include being very careful with swimming pools and water in bathtubs, as just a small amount of water can drown a young child.

What should parents do regarding cleaning products to prevent injuries in children?

Parents should try to buy non-toxic cleaning products and ensure they are stored out of children's reach, preferably with safety caps and packaging.

Which ethnic group is mentioned as being more susceptible to certain types of injuries?

African Americans are mentioned as being more susceptible to suffocations, drownings, burns, and pedestrian accidents.

What is one area where African Americans have a lower problem with compared to other ethnic groups?

African Americans have a lower problem with traffic accidents compared to other ethnic groups.

What is the key advice given for parents to prevent injuries in children?

The key advice is for parents to be vigilant (watchdogs) and communicate with their children about what to stay away from.

Outlines

00:00

🚨 Unintentional Injuries Among Children: Prevention Strategies

The video script opens with Candace Kelley discussing alarming statistics from the CDC on children's unintentional injuries, with over 12,000 deaths and 9.2 million non-fatal injuries annually. Dr. E. Faye Williams, the National President and CEO of the National Congress of Black Women, joins the conversation to address the high-risk groups and preventative measures. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of teaching safety measures to children, especially the importance of supervision for young children to prevent suffocation. It also highlights the need for vigilance around water sources to avoid drowning, the purchase of non-toxic cleaning products, and securing them out of children's reach. The segment underscores the role of parents, teachers, and guardians in educating and protecting children from common hazards.

Keywords

💡Unintentional Injuries

Unintentional injuries refer to accidents that are not caused by deliberate actions. In the context of the video, these injuries are a significant cause of death and non-fatal injuries among children. The CDC statistics mentioned in the script highlight the severity of this issue, with over 12,000 deaths and 9.2 million non-fatal injuries reported annually. This underscores the need for preventive measures and safety education.

💡National Congress of Black Women

The National Congress of Black Women is an organization represented in the video by Dr. E. Faye Williams, its National President and CEO. The organization likely focuses on issues affecting black women and children, including health and safety. Its involvement in the discussion indicates a commitment to addressing the high-risk groups for unintentional injuries and finding solutions to prevent them.

💡Safety Measures

Safety measures are actions or precautions taken to prevent accidents or injuries. In the video, Dr. Williams emphasizes the importance of teaching safety measures to children, parents, teachers, and grandparents. This includes supervision, especially for very young children, and using non-toxic cleaning products. The concept is central to the video's theme of injury prevention.

💡Supervision

Supervision in the context of the video refers to the close and constant monitoring of children, particularly babies, to prevent accidents like suffocation. The script mentions that young children are naturally curious and can easily get into dangerous situations without proper oversight, making supervision a crucial aspect of injury prevention.

💡Drowning

Drowning is a type of unintentional injury that can occur in bodies of water, such as swimming pools or bathtubs. The video script highlights the susceptibility of young children, aged 1 to 4, to drowning due to their curiosity and lack of understanding of the risks associated with water. This makes it a key concern in the discussion of child safety.

💡Non-Toxic Products

Non-toxic products are items that do not contain harmful chemicals that can cause poisoning. In the video, Dr. Williams advises buying non-toxic cleaning products to reduce the risk of poisoning in children. This is particularly important in households with young children who might accidentally ingest these substances.

💡Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents involve injuries or fatalities to people who are walking, often caused by vehicle collisions. The video script notes that African American children are particularly susceptible to these types of accidents, likely due to factors such as neighborhood safety and housing conditions. This highlights the need for community and parental vigilance in preventing such incidents.

💡Traffic Accidents

Traffic accidents are collisions involving vehicles on roads, which can result in serious injuries or fatalities. The script points out that white children tend to suffer more from traffic accidents, contrasting with the higher risk of pedestrian accidents among African American children. This underscores the importance of road safety education and precautions for all children.

💡Substandard Housing

Substandard housing refers to living conditions that do not meet minimum safety or health standards. In the video, Dr. Williams links substandard housing to the higher risk of injuries among African American children, noting the lack of fire alarms and other safety features. This suggests that improving housing conditions can be a key factor in reducing injury rates.

💡Education

Education in the context of the video is not just academic but also includes safety education. Dr. Williams emphasizes the need to educate children about potential dangers and how to avoid them. This is crucial in preventing unintentional injuries, as it equips children with the knowledge to make safer choices.

💡Watchdog

Being a 'watchdog' in the video script implies a vigilant role, especially for parents and caregivers, in monitoring and protecting children from potential dangers. This includes not only physical supervision but also teaching children about safety and the consequences of risky behaviors.

Highlights

The CDC reports over 12,000 children die annually from unintentional injuries, with more than 9.2 million treated for non-fatal injuries.

Dr. E. Faye Williams, National President and CEO of the National Congress of Black Women, discusses injury prevention strategies.

Injuries discussed include burns, poisonings, falls, and drownings, with young males typically more prone to injuries.

Girls can have as many or more injuries than boys when participating in the same sports.

The importance of teaching safety measures to prevent injuries, especially among the young and unaware.

The necessity of close and constant supervision for babies to prevent suffocation.

The natural curiosity of children aged 1 to 4 years makes them susceptible to drowning if not monitored around water.

The recommendation to use non-toxic cleaning products and to keep them out of children's reach.

The use of safety caps and packaging to prevent children from accessing potentially harmful substances.

The need to cover open water sources and install door locks to prevent young children from accessing water unsupervised.

Certain ethnic groups, such as African Americans, are at higher risk for fatal and non-fatal injuries due to factors like substandard housing.

The role of being a vigilant watchdog and communicating safety to children who can understand.

African Americans have a lower incidence of traffic accidents compared to white children.

The emphasis on the importance of preventing drink and drive among teenagers, especially those learning to drive.

The transcript highlights the need for community and parental vigilance in injury prevention among children.

The discussion underscores the impact of environmental factors on injury risks for children, particularly in underserved communities.

The call to action for parents and caregivers to implement safety measures and be proactive in preventing child injuries.

Transcripts

Kelley: ACCORDING TO THE C.D.C.,

EACH YEAR, MORE THAN 12,000 CHILDREN

DIE FROM UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES,

AND MORE THAN 9.2 MILLION ARE TREATED FOR NON-FATAL INJURIES.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT THESE TYPES OF INJURIES?

HELLO. I'M CANDACE KELLEY,

AND I'M JOINED BY DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS,

NATIONAL PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BLACK WOMEN,

TO DISCUSS THE GROUPS AT HIGHEST RISK

AND WAYS TO PREVENT THESE INJURIES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

-Williams: THANK YOU. -Kelley: AND THE INJURIES,

GENERALLY, THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

ARE THE BURNS, THE POISONS -- ESPECIALLY -- FALLS, DROWNINGS,

AND THESE GROUPS, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE LOOK AND SECTOR OFF

WHO IS MOST AT RISK,

I WOULD IMAGINE THAT YOUNG MALES

MIGHT BE MORE INCLINED TO INJURE THEMSELVES.

Williams: WELL, THEY ARE TO MOST OF THE INJURIES,

BUT WHEN GIRLS AND BOYS ARE PLAYING IN THE SAME SPORT,

GIRLS TEND TO HAVE

AS MANY OR MORE INJURIES THAN THE BOYS.

Kelley: SO, IN TERMS OF WHAT CAN BE DONE,

LET'S TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, POISON,

BECAUSE THAT'S A BIG ONE -- IN THE NEWS QUITE A BIT.

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?

WHAT CAN PEOPLE WHO ARE AROUND CHILDREN DO

IN ORDER TO TRY TO PREVENT THESE TYPES OF INJURIES?

Williams: WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THERE ARE A LOT OF REPORTS

IN TERMS OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THESE INJURIES, HOW THEY HAPPEN,

AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THEM --

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION,

THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL, SAFE KIDS -- A LOT OF THEM.

BUT, ESSENTIALLY,

THEY AGREE THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS YOU CAN DO.

FIRST OF ALL, PARENTS, TEACHERS, GRANDPARENTS, ET CETERA,

SHOULD TEACH SAFETY MEASURES.

MANY TIMES, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL DO SOMETHING

AND THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S GONNA CAUSE AN INJURY

OR THAT IT'S LIKELY TO CAUSE AN INJURY,

SO TEACHING SAFETY MEASURES WOULD BE THE FIRST ONE.

IN THE CASE OF VERY SMALL CHILDREN,

LIKE BABIES, WHO TEND TO HAVE SUFFOCATION AS A PROBLEM,

THEY NEED CLOSE SUPERVISION AND CONSTANT SUPERVISION.

WE SHOULDN'T LEAVE LITTLE BABIES ALONE.

THEN YOU HAVE THE LITTLE OLDER ONES,

SAY, FROM 1 TO 4, 5 YEARS OLD -- THEY'RE CURIOUS NATURALLY, SO --

-Kelley: ABOUT EVERYTHING. -Williams: OH, YES.

IF THEY SEE WATER, THEY'RE GONNA WANT TO GO TO IT.

THEY GRAVITATE TOWARD IT,

BUT IT TAKES JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER

TO DROWN A YOUNG CHILD,

SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN WE HAVE SWIMMING POOLS

AND WATER IN BATHTUBS OR SOME PLACE AROUND THE HOUSE,

BECAUSE YOUNG CHILDREN ARE GONNA BE CURIOUS,

AND THAT'S THE AGE GROUP THAT IS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE

TO DYING FROM DROWNING.

SO WE HAVE TO ALSO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THEM.

MANY TIMES, WE HAVE THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE

THAT WE USE FOR CLEANING OR FOR WASHING.

WE SHOULD TRY TO BUY THE NON-TOXIC THINGS

WHEN WE HAVE LITTLE CHILDREN AROUND THE HOUSE,

AND IN ALL CASES, PUT THEM AWAY

SO THAT THE CHILDREN CAN'T REACH THEM

EVEN IF THEY CLIMB UP TO THEM.

Kelley: RIGHT. SEAL THEM UP TIGHT, TOO.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE THOSE SAFETY CAPS.

Williams: YES, YES. THOSE SAFETY CAPS AND PACKAGING

SO THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN'T GET IN THEM.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, SOME YOUNG PEOPLE

CAN GET INTO ALMOST ANYTHING.

IT'S SORT OF LIKE WITH THE COMPUTERS

AND WHAT HAVE YOU -- THEY KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

THEY FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO IT. -Kelley: THAT'S THE FIRST THING

THEY'RE TRYING TO DO -- HOW DO I GET INTO IT?

Williams: SO, OBVIOUSLY,

THE FIRST THING THAT SHOULD BE DONE

IS TO TRY TO BUY NON-TOXIC PRODUCTS

FOR CLEANING AROUND THE HOUSE, AND NEVER LEAVE THEM DOWN

WHERE THE CHILD CAN REACH THEM

OR EVEN IN AN AREA

WHERE THEY CAN PUT A CHAIR UP TO THE PLACE AND GET THEM.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, CHILDREN ARE VERY CURIOUS

ABOUT ANY- AND EVERY THING.

AND WHEN WE HAVE OPEN PLACES WITH WATER,

WE NEED TO COVER THOSE.

WE NEED TO, YOU KNOW, HAVE DOOR LOCKS

SO THAT LITTLE KIDS, 1 TO 4 YEARS OLD ESPECIALLY,

CAN'T GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND GET INTO THE WATER.

Kelley: NOW, I SAW SOME REPORTS, TOO,

WHERE THERE ARE CERTAIN ETHNIC GROUPS

THAT MIGHT BE MORE AT RISK

TO HAVING THESE TYPE OF FATAL OR NON-FATAL INJURIES.

Williams: YES, OF COURSE.

IN THE CASE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS,

BECAUSE I WORK MORE WITH AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN

I'M AWARE OF WHAT THOSE ARE.

AND, OF COURSE, THEY'RE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE SUFFOCATIONS,

TO THE DROWNINGS, TO BURNS,

YOU KNOW, FROM FIRES AND WHAT HAVE YOU.

AND THEN FROM PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT.

Kelley: AND WHAT'S THE CAUSE OF THAT?

Williams: WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE YOUNG BLACK CHILDREN

OFTEN LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THE HOUSING IS NOT SAFE.

THEY MAY NOT HAVE FIRE ALARMS IN THEM,

AND THEY'RE -- AGAIN, THEY'RE CURIOUS

FOR THINGS AROUND THEM, YOU KNOW,

JUST LIKE ALL CHILDREN ARE,

SO SOME COME JUST NATURALLY AS A PART OF THEIR AGE,

BUT A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO

WITH SUBSTANDARD HOUSING THAT THEY'RE IN.

Kelley: BUT THE KEY REALLY IS BEING A WATCHDOG,

AND THEN ALSO COMMUNICATING CERTAIN THINGS TO YOUR CHILDREN,

WHO YOU CAN COMMUNICATE WITH, ABOUT WHAT TO STAY AWAY FROM.

Williams: ABSOLUTELY. NOW, THE ONLY AREA

IN WHICH AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE A LOWER PROBLEM WITH,

AND THAT IS TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.

THAT'S THE ONE AREA IN WHICH WHITE CHILDREN

TEND TO HAVE MORE OF THOSE AND TO SUFFER MOST FROM THOSE,

SO ALL OF THE PARENTS, THOUGH, NEED TO BE CAREFUL

AND TO MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN DON'T

DRINK AND DRIVE, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW,

AS SOON AS THEY GET TO BE 13 OR 14,

THEY WANT TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE,

AND THAT'S THAT AGE GROUP

THAT SUFFERS MOST FROM THOSE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS --

THOSE FATAL ONES. -Kelley: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US,

GIVING US SOME TIPS ON HOW TO PREVENT

SOME OF THESE FATALITIES AND INJURIES.

GOOD SEEING YOU.

Williams: OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Kelley: ALL RIGHT. AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US

FOR THIS EDITION OF "COMCAST NEWSMAKERS."

I'M CANDACE KELLEY.

♪♪