Teen safety (2006)
Key points below
The leading causes of death to teens include:
- Motor vehicle accidents.
- Homicide.
- Suicide.
- Unintentional poisonings or drug overdose.
- Other accidents. This includes drowning, injuries from guns, and pedestrian injuries.
How can I help my teen be safe?
Take time to talk about safety. Share your views and remember what it was like to be a teen. Give your teen credit for being able to make good choices. Be a good safety role model.
Cars
- Always wear a seat belt. Everyone should be buckled while riding in the car.
- Visit childrenswi.org/teendriving for help with teen driver safety. Teen drivers need support, education, and practice to keep them safe on the road.
- Reduce distractions to stay focused on the road. Put away cell phones and limit number of others in the car.
Water
- Remind your teen about the buddy system when swimming. Teens should never swim alone.
- Teach teens how swimming in open water is different than in a pool. Open water could be a river or lake.
- Everyone should wear life jackets when on a boat.
Burns
- Put smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level and in every sleeping area of your home.
- Teach teens to unplug items like irons and hair styling tools after use. Wait for them to cool before putting them away.
- Stay at least 3 feet away from hot surfaces and open flames.
Concussion
- Make sure your teen wears the right safety gear for their activity. This includes a helmet.
Lock Boxes: gun and medicine safety
- Keep any guns in your house unloaded. They should be stored in a locked spot, separate from the ammunition.
- Teens should only handle a gun when a responsible adult is closely watching.
- Keep all medicines in their original containers and locked in a cabinet. This includes any e-cigarette, vaping, and tobacco products.
- Watch your teen take their medicine. Make sure they have the right dose.
- Add the Poison help line to your phone contacts: 1-800-222-1222.
Biking or walking
- Make sure your teen wears a helmet every time they ride a bike or anything with wheels. Visit childrenswi.org/safetycenter for more information.
- Find safe walking routes to and from school and friends’ houses.
- Teach your teen to put away their cellphone, headphones and other electronics when crossing the street.
For more information
Check out the online resources at: childrenswi.org/learn.