The Doctor's In - Injury Prevention

Injury Prevention

By Thomas Pranikoff, MD, Pediatric Surgeon

With summertime in full swing, experts at Brenner Children’s Hospital want to remind parents to take precautions to protect their children from injury so they can make the most of their summer vacation. Three of the most common injuries seen at the children’s hospital each summer are lawnmower injuries, biking accidents and accidental drownings.

What are the most important things a parent can do to keep their children safe from lawnmower injuries?

“Children under six years-old should be kept indoors when operating a mower,” said Dr. Thomas Pranikoff, a pediatric surgeon at the children’s hospital. “And buy mowers with safety features that stop the blades of the mower when the handle is released.” Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use riding mowers. Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“Each summer we operate on a dozen children, often trying to repair damage to their hands and feet from lawnmower injuries injuries that are often disabling and could have been prevented,” Dr. Pranikoff said. “Parents need to make sure teens use eye protection and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, not sandals or sneakers, while mowing.” Lastly, parents should not allow children of any age to ride as passengers on riding mowers or farm equipment. Each summer children are injured in bike-related accidents.

What are key prevention tips for parents?

“Parents should ensure that their children wear helmets when riding a bike,” Dr. Pranikoff said. “Not only is it a good idea, but in North Carolina, it’s the law. Helmets prevent serious head trauma.”

Dr. Pranikoff also recommends that parents give their children the space and time they need to develop good biking skills. “Don’t push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until he or she is ready that’s usually about age 5 or 6,” Dr. Pranikoff said. “Each child is different and some children may be more coordinated at earlier ages. Also, consider whether your child is ready to learn to ride a bike. Visiting a shop that can help fit your child properly to the bike is also key. Buying a bigger bike for your child to grow into will only set your child up for frustration and injury.”

Dr. Pranikoff encourages parents to ride with their children until they are comfortable that their child has a good handle on the bike and is comfortable.

“Parents should also wear helmets themselves and observe the rules of the road,” Dr. Pranikoff said. “Children learn by watching and parents have to set a good example for their children to follow.”

Each summer, many parents spend time near the water. By observing safety precautions, parents can ensure their children are safe in the water. “When children are in open water, they need to be supervised by an adult and wear a life jacket at all times,” Dr. Pranikoff said. “Even good swimmers need to be supervised and swim with a buddy.”

Parents also need to make sure children do not dive into pools or water where the depth is uncertain. When injuries do occur, Brenner Children’s Hospital the area’s only children’s hospital has a 24-hour pediatric emergency room where care for kids comes in just the right size.

How does Brenner’s pediatric emergency department differ from other emergency departments? The Emergency Department at Brenner Children’s Hospital is staffed with pediatric experts. Our physicians are trained in pediatrics and emergency medicine and deal with kids 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We have specially trained nurses, respiratory therapists and other staff who are trained to help children feel comfortable and safe during their visit. We are also one of a handful of hospitals in the state who use sedation techniques for all painful procedures to make children comfortable. In addition, our pediatric emergency department has child-sized equipment to accommodate a child’s growing body.

We also have a special, child-friendly waiting area where kids can relax and not be exposed to injured adults that no child should see. For more information about Brenner Children’s Hospital at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, visit www.brennerchildrens.org.