1. The number of non-fatal injuries to children under 5 has risen 12% since 2007.
2. The number of people over 13 who now own smartphones has risen to 114 million – compared with 9 million in 2007.
3. Since 2007: Injuries involving playground equipment among children under 5 has increased 17%, injuries involving nursery equipment has increased 31%, and injuries involving swimming pools climbed 36%.

Although no formal studies have been conducted linking distracted parenting and child injuries, experts strenuously contend that the texting-while-parenting phenomenon is a major concern. Thus, parents should exercise the following tips to ensure their child’s safety:

1. No game playing – i.e. Words with Friends – until after the children are in bed.
2. If smartphone use while in the car is absolutely necessary, pull over first.
3. Put away the phone if the children are partaking in a risky activity like swimming.

Many parents don’t think twice about using their smartphone while parenting. However, parents should not wait until a disaster occurs to change their smartphone-use habits. By exercising the above tips, parents can ensure that they don’t suffer the consequences of the texting-while-parenting phenomenon.

1. The swing collapsing while in use.
2. The swing tips over, causing injuries to the user and those children around the swing set.
3. Protruding parts that cause scratches, lacerations, and cuts.
4. Poor materials used in the construction of equipment.

With Spring (hopefully) right around the corner, parents can take steps to ensure that their backyard swing sets remain safe:

1. For children younger than three, purchase a toddler swing set with enclosed sides.
2. Only purchase swing sets that have a minimum of 22 inches of separation between them.
3. Set the swing set up in a level location, away from overhanging objects.
4. Provide a safe landing area below the swing set.
5. Monitor children at all times while they are on the swing set.

Although backyard swing sets are a great source of entertainment for children, they also pose a serious safety risk. By exercising the above tips, parents can ensure that their children remain safe this Spring.

1. More than 1 in 3 young people have experienced threats online.
2. Over half of young people have experienced some form of cyber bullying. 10% to 20% experience it regularly.
3. Only 1 in 10 teens tell a parent that they have been a cyber-bully victim.
4. Cyber-bullying victims have lower self esteem and are more likely to consider suicide.

Technology has provided bullies and mean girls with a new platform for their malicious behavior. However, parents can take steps to reduce cyber bullying and its effects by exercising the following tips:

1. Talk to your child or teen about the seriousness of cyber bullying.
2. Encourage your child or teen to tell an adult if cyber bullying is occurring.
3. Inform your child or teen to never tell their password to anyone and to not write it down in a place where others can find it.
4. Keep the computer in a shared space like the family room and do not allow your child or teen to have a computer in their room.

With technology becoming more advanced every day, it is important that parents understand the ill-psychological effects that cyber bullying can have on their child or teen. By exercising the above tips, parents can ensure that their child or teen is protected from this form of bullying.

1. Every year, over 100,000 children aged 14 and under are treated for burn injuries in hospital emergency rooms.
2. Fires kill about 500 children aged 14 and under every year.
3. Children aged five and under are twice as likely to die in a fire than any other age group.
4. Only three-quarters of all homes in the United States have at least one working smoke alarm (Smoke alarms can reduce fire-related deaths by 82% and injuries by 46%).

Since many ordinary things in a household – from bath water to electrical outlets – can cause burns, parents must exercise extreme care when dealing with potential hazards:

1. Install and maintain smoke alarms.
2. Keep hot irons, curling tongs, or hair straighteners out of the reach of children.
3. Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
4. When cooking, turn the panhandles away from the front of the cooker.
5. Do not leave young children alone in the kitchen or bathroom.

The home is and always will be a potential burn-safety hazard for parents and children alike. However, by exercising the above tips, parents can ensure that their child remains safe from burn injuries.

1. The annual rate of injury has doubled between 2008 and 2010.
2. A child in the U.S. is sent to the E.R. every 46 minutes.
3. 10% of injuries occur when a child collides or is pushed by another child; 6.3% when one child fell on another.
4. In all, 3.4% of children are hospitalized or kept for more than 24 hours after an injury. Broken bones account for 81.7% injuries that required a hospital stay.

Although bouncy castles and like structures can provide much-needed exercise for children, there are risks associated with the activity. The worst injuries, experts contend, occur when more than one child is on the bouncer at one time. These additional tips can also assist in ensuring your child’s safety:

1. Limit use to children aged 6 and older.
2. Always ensure that there is adequate adult supervision.
3. Do not allow children to do flips or engage in horseplay.
4. Limit the number of children allowed on the bouncer at one time.

Bouncy castles can be a hit at any child’s birthday party. By exercising the above tips, parents can ensure that their child, as well as other children, remains safe from injury.

1. Guns are stored in more than one third of U.S. households.
2. 500 children die annually from accidental gunshots.
3. 39% of children know where their parents store their guns; 22% say they have handled the guns despite their parents’ warning to stay away.

Although inherent risks to children are associated with parents’ ownership of guns, there are steps parents can take to ensure that their children remain safe in the household:

1. Lock up guns and keep them away from children. Do not simply hide the gun.
2. Lock up ammunition and keep it separate from the guns.
3. Store the keys for the gun and ammunition separate from other household keys. Keep the keys out of the reach of children.
4. When handling or cleaning a gun, never leave the gun unattended.
5. Speak with your child – as well as parents of your child’s friends – about gun safety.

Gun ownership requires responsibility. By exercising the above tips, parents can ensure that their children remain safe from accidental shootings.