Injuries
Falls
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Falls can occur at any age and any location. About 1 in 5 falls result in injury, and the older adult is more likely to experience a serious injury. Isolation, unsteady gait, chronic health conditions, and some medications put older adults at greater risk. For more information, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
For ways to prevent falls in the home, go to: https://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/future-planning/prevent-falls-at-home.aspx
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents can include car crashes, motor cycle crashes, or ATV and dirt bike accidents. These are unexpected and often devastating to those involved. Distracted driving is one of the main reasons accidents happen, and this can be prevented. Avoid using cell phones to text, call, or even look up music or directions while driving. Also avoid eating, applying make up, or other distracting tasks. Always wear a seat belt!
Important information can be found at:
Trauma during Pregnancy
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Trauma during Pregnancy
Traumatic injuries can occur during pregnancy and can be very scary. During pregnancy, the center of gravity shifts, making women less stable and more likely to fall. The growing belly can also make seat belts more difficult to put on, but they must be worn at all times. Lastly, the risk for domestic violence increases during pregnancy, putting mom and baby at risk for injury. For more information, go to:
https://www.thehotline.org/help/
https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/seatbelts-during-pregnancy.aspx#
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/falling-while-pregnant
Childhood Injuries
Assaults and Violence
Trauma during Pregnancy
Children are active, and sometimes clumsy! Childhood injuries can include anything from bumps and bruises, to broken bones, to concussions. With such an array of injuries, parents often have lots of questions.
See below for more information on common childhood injuries.
Car Seats
Assaults and Violence
Assaults and Violence
Car seats save lives! It is also North Carolina Law that infants, toddlers, and school age children up to age 8 or 80 pounds be in a child or booster seat. For information on child seat laws and car seat sizing: http://www.buckleupnc.org/occupant-restraint-laws/child-passenger-safety-law-summary/
http://www.buckleupnc.org/choosing-using/
https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats
Assaults and Violence
Assaults and Violence
Assaults and Violence
Assaults can also occur at any age and in any location. Assaults can include bullying and school fights, domestic and interpersonal violence, teen dating violence, child abuse, gang violence, and more. People hurt people, and it can be extremely traumatizing.
See below for further information of assaults and violent injury.
Childhood Injuries
Additional Information
Childhood injuries are common, and sometimes scary. Most of the time, kids injuries are minor and can be treated at home with a little love and a band-aid. However, it is estimated that over 9 million children are taken to the emergency department each year for unintentional injuries. Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children up to age 19. According to the CDC, the most common traumatic injuries in kids include falls, burns, drowning, road related injuries and poisoning. The following will discuss some of these injuries and more. For more information from the CDC visit: https://www.cdc.gov/safechild/child_injury_data.html
Falls and sports injuries: Falls in children generally occur during activities, including sports activities (Versus falls in older adults, which may occur from standing due to being unsteady and weak). Wearing appropriate sports gear, proper fitting shoes, and avoiding distractions can reduce injuries. Falls can result in bruises, abrasions, lacerations, or even broken bones. Bruises and abrasions can generally be treated at home with rest and ice. Any open wound should be cleansed and covered with a bandage.
Lacerations are open cuts that often bleed a lot. The first thing to do is stop the bleeding by holding pressure. If there are large amounts of blood-such as blood that is spurting out or pooling around clothing or the floor, call 911 immediately and hold pressure. www.stopthebleed.org has information on bleeding control. Lacerations may need sutures, staples, or skin glue, so it is best to seek medical care.
Broken bones and sprains can also occur, and both can cause swelling, pain, and limited movement of the affected area. Rest and ice should be applied, and over the counter pain reliever can be given (as long as no allergies exist-follow directions on the medication label). You cannot always tell by looking at an injury if the bone is broken-the only way to know for sure is by X-ray, so seek medical assistance if you are worried about a broke bone.
Concussions can also occur from falls or sports injuries. A concussion is defined as a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow, bump, or hit to the head that causes the brain to move within the skull, causing injury to the brain. Signs of concussion can include headache, loss of consciousness, confusion, nausea or vomiting, memory loss, and feeling sluggish or difficult to awaken. Concussions can be very serious, and a medical provider should be notified. Symptoms of concussions can last for many weeks to months, and recovery involves allowing rest and slowly returning to activities. Athletes who experience a concussion should not return to play until their doctor says it is OK. Wearing helmets when riding bikes, scooters, and skateboards, as well as helmet for sports activities can reduce the chances of concussions. For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/index.html
Burns are quite common, and can occur while cooking, bathing, grilling, or using heated objects such as irons. Keeping hot objects out of reach of children, and ensuring that burners are turned off can help reduce injury. If a child suffers a burn, removed the heat source immediately and cool the burn with lukewarm or cool water but do not apply ice-this can further damage the skin. For large burns, or burns from electric or chemical sources, seek medical treatment immediately. Keep hot water heaters at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. For more information, go to: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/injuries/skin-injuries/burns-and-scalds
Drownings can occur in as little as an inch of water, and occur quickly & quietly. Children don't make noise or splash a lot when drowning. Watch children closely when at the beach or pool, and even in the bathtub. Never leave an infant or toddler unattended near water, and teach older kids to never swim alone or in rough water. Swim lessons are great for all ages, and using a life vest for younger kids can save lives. If you use a boat or water sports, ensure that all ages use water vests. To learn more about preventing drownings, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html
Non-Accidental Trauma is the last topic discussed here, and will extend into the following section on assaults and violence. Non-accidental trauma, or NAT, is often called child abuse. NAT can involve physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, as well as neglect, and is the leading cause of traumatic injury in infants and children less than five. Abusive Head Trauma, also called shaken baby syndrome, occurs in newborns and infants, and has many serious consequences. Child abuse and sexual abuse can occur in any child, regardless or race, sex, or socioeconomic status, and also leads to serious consequences, including mental and behavioral health issues, as well as poor physical health. If you or a parent you know feels overwhelmed or need help, Call 1-800-799-7233 or reach out to your doctor, emergency department, or police. Everyone feels overwhelmed at times, and it is OK to ask for help. If you have any concern that a child is being maltreated contact a local medical provider, law enforcement, social services, or emergency department, or call 911 immediately. It is better to report and initiate an investigation than to allow a child to continue to be hurt. For more information on abuse or reporting, go to:
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/reporting/how/
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/Abusive-Head-Trauma.html
bullying, fighting, and teen dating will be covered in the next section.
Assaults and Violence
Additional Information
Violence affects all ages, races, genders and sexual identities, and levels of socioeconomic status. Children may experience bullying and fights in school. Teens may endure teen dating violence. And people of all ages can experience interpersonal violence or domestic violence. Violent crimes also affect many. Violence is a public health problem, and those working in the medical field treat victims of violence daily. Nurses, doctors, and injury prevention coordinators have the ability to not only treat injuries, but also to make connections to avoid future violent injuries from occurring.
Sexual Assault info: https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline
http://www.safealliance.org/programs/sexual-trauma-resource-center/
If you have experienced sexual assault or rape, go to your local emergency department where Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners can assist with your injuries and help you receive the help and resources you need. Remember that sexual assault, domestic violence, or child abuse is not your fault and nurses, doctors, and injury prevention specialists are present to help you.
Bullying is an issue in all grades, and can even occur in adults in the workplace. It happens in person and online via text, email, or social media. Bullying is not just the physical harm that the bully imposes on the victim, but it can also include name calling, spreading rumors, making negative comments, or posting embarrassing comments or pictures online. Posting sexual content of someone without their consent can even be considered sexual assault. Bullying can lead to feelings of hopelessness, depression, or suicidal thoughts. Encouraging coping skills and finding counselling can helpful. For more info about bullying go to: https://www.stopbullying.gov/
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), Domestic Violence, and Teen Dating Violence involve violence within relationships. Intimate Partner Violence and domestic violence are terms that are often used interchangeably, both referring to the harm inflicted on one partner of a relationship or a past partner. This can include heterosexual or homosexual relationships, or even relationships that are not romantic. Inciting fear, inflicting injury, sexual and physical abuse, or emotional abuse are signs of unhealthy relationships. Teen dating violence is a form of IPV, and many parents do not believe that young relationships can become violent. It is actually estimated that 1 in 3 teens have experienced some sort of dating violence, and it is never to early to talk to your child. For more information go to: https://www.loveisrespect.org/ This site gives examples of how to talk to your child about healthy and unhealthy relationships.
https://www.thehotline.org/help/
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teendatingviolence/fastfact.html
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html
Violent crime, Youth & Teen Violence, Gang Violence are kind of general terms that come up when discussing violence. Violent crime is a broad term that can mean anything from fist fights, to stabbings, to shootings, and can be robbery, assault and battery, threatening others, or sexual assault and rape. Youth and teen violence can include bullying or child abuse, or fights breaking out in schools. Many teens and young adults may be lured by the promise of joining gangs, but this only increases the likelihood of enduring violent injuries. The odds of being the victim of violence increases with gang membership, as well as with lower socioeconomic status or homelessness. Teen runaways also have an increased chance of being injured. Suffering from one violent injury increases the chance of repeat violence, so intervening with each violent injury can benefit the victim. This is true for teens and adults, and there is help for people of all ages. If you are experiencing injuries from violence seek medical care and call 911. For more information, go to:
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/preventgangmembership/index.html
https://youth.gov/youth-topics/violence-prevention
https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/injury-topics/youth-violence-prevention
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