Parents do their best to protect their children, keep them safe at home and teach them how to be safe in the world.  But accidents do happen.  If your child is injured, you have the important job of getting them medical care and helping them cope with related emotional problems.  You know your children best and are in the best position to see how well they are coping and when they might need extra care.

When your child is confronted with an accident injury that requires immediate medical care, you may find yourself in the Emergency Room of your local hospital.  To get quality care, you will need to be work with the medical team and be supportive of your child.

The ER can be a stressful frightening place for both injured children and their parents. You may be extremely worried and filled with questions, so good communication with the medical team is essential for your peace of mind and the best possible treatment for your child.

Here are some tips for a successful ER visit:

1. Ask questions. Make sure you understand the answer. If you are not sure, let the medical team know and ask again.
2. Stay with your child as much as possible. Ask permission to be with your child during medical tests and procedures.  You are the best person to help your child get through the experience. Be calm and reassuring.
3. Make sure the medical team knows about your child’s pre-existing medical conditions, including any special needs, fears, or allergies.
4. Be your child’s advocate. Stay involved in your child’s care and decisions about treatment.  Make sure the team knows everything they need to about the accident, and always tell them if your child is in pain or needs their attention.  Explain to your child what is happening; be honest and reassuring.
5. Help your child communicate about his or her needs. For example, if your child is in pain, let the medical team know.  Allow your child to express fears or feelings and to talk directly with the team. As much as possible, let your child answer, but don’t force him or her to talk. Be there to listen when your child is ready.
6. Take care of yourself. You need to be healthy if you are going to be strong for your child.  Get the support you need from family and friends, eat well, and get some sleep.

In the days following the injury, many children will feel upset, stressed, or worried.  This is when they will need a little extra support from family and friends.

Now that the school year is in full swing, it’s a great time to get involved in your child’s safety, while going to and from school. In your home, morning may be a hectic time, as you get yourself ready for work, get the kids ready for school, and make sure everyone is out the door on time and safely. No matter how your children get to school, by bus, carpool, bicycle, or walking, there are ways you can make their travel fun, and protect them from a car accident injury.

Get involved

1. Volunteer at the school to direct traffic, assist kids onto buses, or monitor loading zones.
2. Distribute drop off and pick up information to promote the designated procedures and safety areas.
3. Ask your school how best to get involved.

Join a carpool

1. Join with your neighbors and other parents to share driving duties. This will take cars off the road, ease congestion at busy times, make drop off and pick up easier. Besides, it’s environmentally green!

Have kids walk to and from school

1. This is a great way to help kids get fresh air and exercise, and stay healthy.
2. It reduces the number of cars around the school and neighborhood lowering the risk of an auto related accident.
3. Always accompany the younger kids on their walk. This will give you an opportunity to exercise while teaching your kids about safety.
4. Riding a bike to school also is a great alternative, if you have taught your child about bicycle safety and identified travel routes with traffic control devices.

More and more people ride bicycles to school and work, for exercise, and for all types of transportation needs.  With this increase of cyclists on roads, streets and paths, the importance of bicycle safety increases as well.  Many communities now have bike lanes on their roads, but traffic safety is only one aspect of a more complete bicycle safety picture.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have published guidelines for bicycle safety.  Their “10 Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety” are:

1. Protect your head, wear a helmet.
   A proper fitting helmet can reduce head injure by 85% if you follow these important steps.
   -  Only buy a helmet that complies with CPSC standards.
   -  Make sure it fits properly and is worn correctly with the strap securely fastened.
   -  Wear your helmet every time you ride your bike, even on short trips.
2. Make sure your bicycle fits you properly.
   You can check the owner’s manual for instructions on how to adjust your bicycle to your correct height.  You should be able to comfortably stand over the top tube of your bike.
3. Brake and safety check before riding.
   Brakes are so important for controlled riding and emergency stopping.  Check to see that your brakes are working correctly before you start your ride.  If your hand brake touches your handlebars they are not safe and need to be adjusted. Check the brake shoe pads for even wear. Also make sure your wheels are straight and securely fastened.
4. See and be seen.
   To help other cyclists, drivers and pedestrians to see you more easily, always wear bright colors.  Neon or fluorescent safety gear is great to make sure people can see you.
5. Avoid night riding.
   Riding a bicycle at night is much more dangerous than daytime riding.  If you can avoid it, you should; if not, make sure you take the following precautions.
   -  Install CPSC approved reflectors on your bike.  Make sure they are permanently attached in a highly visible place.  If you add a carrier or anything else, ensure the reflector is not covered.
   -  Put a bright light on the front and on the back of your bicycle.
   -  Night riding requires more than bright colored clothing.  Wear reflective gear, especially on your ankles, wrists, back and helmet.
   -  Ride in brightly lit areas and ride defensively.  Assume drivers can not see you.
6. Stay alert, watch for things in your path.
   Use all the same precautions you would as a car driver. Stay focused on the road and watch for potholes, cracks, wet leaves, railroad tracks, or anything that could cause you to fall. Before going around any object, look in all directions, check your front and back, and signal to alert nearby drivers.
7. Go with the flow of traffic.
   Ride single file on the right side of the lane going with the flow of traffic.  This keeps you where most drivers can see you and helps avoid a car-bicycle accident.
8. Be aware of traffic around you.
   The same rules you use as a car driver apply here.  Carefully check the intersection before you enter the street. Always look both ways, in front and behind you, then signal and enter the road when clear.  About 70% of car-bicycle accidents occur at driveways or other intersections.  Be aware.
9. Obey traffic laws.
   Bicycles are vehicles and cyclists are covered by the same rules as motorists.  Follow all traffic signals, signs, and rules for operating a car.   Always signal, be courteous, and stay aware.  Your safety depends on it.
10. Secure your wheels
    Make this a part of your equipment check each time before you ride or after a fall. Make sure your quick release wheels are firmly closed.  Learn about your bicycle and take good care of the equipment.