Your
child suffering an injury in school can be heartrending – getting that call
from school saying your child is hurt, perhaps bleeding or worse, unconscious!
It is every parent’s nightmare and one that you want to avoid because no amount
of damages or compensation can reimburse the pain and anguish that your child
and you go through.
child suffering an injury in school can be heartrending – getting that call
from school saying your child is hurt, perhaps bleeding or worse, unconscious!
It is every parent’s nightmare and one that you want to avoid because no amount
of damages or compensation can reimburse the pain and anguish that your child
and you go through.
Why School Safety is an Issue
Schools
are supposed to provide a safe, healthy and hazard free learning environment
for children and are required to exercise a level of care that will prevent
injury. In spite of this, injuries can and do take place. With 53 million
children in school and kids spending about one fourth of their waking hours
there, statistics say that each year 10 to 25 percent of an estimated 14
million unintentional injuries among
kids below 15 happen in or around school. The risks of
injury tend to be higher in areas such as labs, gyms and playgrounds. Traveling
to and from school by bus can be another risk area.
are supposed to provide a safe, healthy and hazard free learning environment
for children and are required to exercise a level of care that will prevent
injury. In spite of this, injuries can and do take place. With 53 million
children in school and kids spending about one fourth of their waking hours
there, statistics say that each year 10 to 25 percent of an estimated 14
million unintentional injuries among
kids below 15 happen in or around school. The risks of
injury tend to be higher in areas such as labs, gyms and playgrounds. Traveling
to and from school by bus can be another risk area.
Also,
schools may exercise less control in situations such as field trips and
athletic meets. A 2014 study in the Journal of Medicine and Science examined sport-related
traumatic brain injuries and found that about 300,000 such
incidents (mainly concussions) occur each year in the United States.
Researchers concluded that sports are second only to motor vehicle crashes as
the leading cause of traumatic brain injury among people aged between 15 and
20.
schools may exercise less control in situations such as field trips and
athletic meets. A 2014 study in the Journal of Medicine and Science examined sport-related
traumatic brain injuries and found that about 300,000 such
incidents (mainly concussions) occur each year in the United States.
Researchers concluded that sports are second only to motor vehicle crashes as
the leading cause of traumatic brain injury among people aged between 15 and
20.
How to Protect Your Child From School
Related Injuries
Related Injuries
Be
sure to protect your child from injuries, sexual harassment, bullying to the
extent you can. For this it is important for parents to be informed and to pass
on this information to their children in a simple, age appropriate and
accessible manner.
sure to protect your child from injuries, sexual harassment, bullying to the
extent you can. For this it is important for parents to be informed and to pass
on this information to their children in a simple, age appropriate and
accessible manner.
Children
need to be able to tell when they are being bullied or harassed. They need the
confidence to come out with this information to a trusted adult in a position
of authority. As a parent you can teach even a young child to differentiate
between a good and bad touch. You can clarify to a child what behavior from
peers is acceptable and what is not. You can prevent a potential problem or at
least prevent its escalation.
need to be able to tell when they are being bullied or harassed. They need the
confidence to come out with this information to a trusted adult in a position
of authority. As a parent you can teach even a young child to differentiate
between a good and bad touch. You can clarify to a child what behavior from
peers is acceptable and what is not. You can prevent a potential problem or at
least prevent its escalation.
You
can also teach your child a safe way to board a school bus and to disembark,
the importance of not running after a bus or walking behind or close to a bus.
You can ensure that you dress your child in appropriate clothing and shoes on
days when they are going to spend time in the playground. Trailing belts, draw
stings, beads, buckles and so on can be hazardous.
can also teach your child a safe way to board a school bus and to disembark,
the importance of not running after a bus or walking behind or close to a bus.
You can ensure that you dress your child in appropriate clothing and shoes on
days when they are going to spend time in the playground. Trailing belts, draw
stings, beads, buckles and so on can be hazardous.
If
your child participates in a sport, ensure that he or she has had a general
health checkup, that your child has adequate safety gear (shin pads, mouth
guard, helmets, goggles etc) and appropriate sporting equipment. Teach your
child the importance of drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration. Also
make sure that the teacher or coach has all necessary expertise about any
allergies, medical symptoms or conditions.
your child participates in a sport, ensure that he or she has had a general
health checkup, that your child has adequate safety gear (shin pads, mouth
guard, helmets, goggles etc) and appropriate sporting equipment. Teach your
child the importance of drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration. Also
make sure that the teacher or coach has all necessary expertise about any
allergies, medical symptoms or conditions.
