The most important factor in dealing with an emergency is to be prepared. This means talking with your child's pediatrician about emergency care to develop an emergency plan and being familiar with the closest emergency departments. Ask when you should go directly to an emergency department, when you should call an ambulance, and what to do when the physician's office is closed. If your child requires treatment in the emergency department, make sure all your questions and concerns are answered by the staff. The most important thing parents can do to protect the health of their children is to practice injury prevention.
Preventable injuries are the leading cause of childhood death and permanent injury.
Child safety seats, bicycle helmets, poison prevention, safety caps on medicines, window guards, and sports safety gear are just a start. Parents, community leaders, and elected officials can make emergency care of children a priority by supporting adequate funding for emergency education, training, equipment, and research. A. Physicians who specialize in emergency medicine have devoted their careers to improving the emergency care system through research, training, policy, and public education. Until 30 years ago, there was little recognition among the public or the medical community that emergency care required unique training, equipment, and procedures. ACEP was among the first organizations to develop guidelines for pediatric emergency equipment, staffing, training, and procedures.