November is National Child Safety and Protection Month

Worry is often your closest companion if you’re a parent, grandparent, or love and care for a child. Unfortunately, it just comes with the job. November is National Child Safety and Protection Month and the perfect time to review some key safety considerations as well as a few ways you can help minimize any risks.

Children, Social Media, and Depression

Fact: Four in ten U.S. parents with children under 18 worry that their children might experience anxiety or depression at some point. And according to Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, social media usage isn’t helping. Teens spending more than three hours on social media daily are twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety symptoms.

What you can do: Commit to following research-based guidelines from pediatricians that include building a family media plan, balancing time with and without devices, talking about social media, and setting a good example yourself. 

Children and Firearms in the Home

Fact: Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S., surpassing car motor vehicle accidents in 2020. 

What you can do: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the safest home for a child is one without guns. If you have firearms in the home, hiding them isn’t enough. Guns should be locked, unloaded, and stored in a gun safe or lock box with ammunition locked and stored separately. 

Children and Motor Vehicle Accidents

Fact: In 2020, 607 children under 12 died in motor vehicle crashes, and more than 63,000 were injured. Of the children killed, 38% didn’t have their seatbelts fastened.

What you can do: Without exception, make sure children are properly buckled in car seats, booster seats, or seat belts and that car seats are appropriate to their age and size.

I hope these tips are a helpful, timely reminder for you and the special kids in your life. As always, if I can be of assistance, please call the office. That’s why I’m here.