Caring for Grandchildren Concerned About Unintentional Injuries Grandparents rate unintentional injury their number one concern when caring for grandchildren, according to a survey released this week by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Preventable injury the leading killer of kids ages 14 and under takes more children's lives than any other cause including disease, crime and violence. Despite their awareness and concern for safety, the survey shows grandparents lack important information and safety devices needed to keep their grandchildren from harm in certain areas. Coalitions around the country, including the Oklahoma SAFE KIDS Coalition, a program of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, are assisting in publicizing this new survey, and conducting child safety activities during this week's National SAFE KIDS Week observance. Young children and the elderly are at the greatest risk for fire-related death and injury.
Children can suffer third-degree burns from hot tap water in a matter of seconds.
One-third of grandparents don't believe these devices are necessary, yet more than 90 percent of poisonings happen in homes. Among children ages 5 and under, nearly 60 percent of poisonings are from non-pharmaceutical products, such as cosmetics and cleaning substances. Only 23 percent of grandparents with young children in their homes say they have ipecac syrup in case of an unintentional poisoning. Ipecac syrup, when used under medical advice, can reduce the likelihood of severe poisoning and prevent the need for an emergency room visit. While more than 90 percent of grandparents report they secure their grandchildren at all times when riding in the car, many are not doing so properly.