Safe Kids – Injury Prevention

UMC is dedicated to leading the region in injury prevention for children.

According to the American Burn Association, over 450,000 people are seen in the healthcare setting for treatment of burn injuries. Use this page to educate and empower yourself in preventing burn injuries!

Safe Kids Lubbock – Leading the Region

We are the only Safe Kids Lead Agency for the surrounding area. Safe Kids Lubbock continues to seek new opportunities to prevent childhood injuries and works closely with local businesses, schools, and partners to distribute critical information to prevent traumatic injuries and keep our children safe. 

Liquid and Steam Burn Prevention

  • Set your water heater at 120 degrees F/48 degrees C or just below the medium setting.
  • Use a thermometer to test the water coming out of your bath water tap.
  • Run your hand through bath water to test for hot spots.
  • Use back burners and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so children cannot pull them down.
  • Use oven mitts when cooking or handling hot food and drinks.
  • Stir and test food cooked in the microwave before serving. Open heated containers away from you from back to front.
  • Keep children away from the stove when cooking by using a safety gate for younger children and marking with tape a 3-foot “no-kid zone” for older children.
  • Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters and avoid using tablecloths and placemats.
  • Use a “travel mug” with a tight-fitting lid for all hot drinks.
  • Never hold or carry a child while you have a hot drink in your hand.

Cooking Safety

Fireworks Safety

  • Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
  • A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities.  Never give fireworks to children.
  • Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
  • Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
  • Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
  • Never relight a “dud” firework.  Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
  • Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
  • Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
  • Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
  • Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.

http://www.fireworkssafety.org/safety-tips/

Home Safety

  • Install smoke alarms in your home (inside bedrooms, outside sleeping areas)
  • Test smoke alarms each month
  • Have a fire escape plan
  • If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT and CALL FOR HELP
  • Avoid space heaters
  • Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors in your home
  • Place lit candles where they can’t be reached or knocked over by pets or children
  • Don’t leave candles unattended
  • For additional safety tips, click here

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