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Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes and is the most important determinant of bicycle-related death and permanent disability. The single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from wheeled sports crashes is a helmet. Helmet use reduces the risk of bicycle-related death and injury and the severity of head injury when a crash occurs. Unfortunately, national estimates report that bicycle helmet use among child bicyclist ranges only from 15 to 25 percent. Helmet use is lowest (for all ages) among children ages 11 to 14 (11 percent). Helmets should be worn by riders of all ages when participating in wheeled sports such as riding bikes, tricycles, or scooters, in-line skating or skate boarding. There are several types of helmets available based on the type of activity the participant is engaging in.
Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under. Child safety seats and safety belts, when correctly installed and used can prevent injury and save lives. Unrestrained children are more likely to be injured, to suffer more severe injuries and to die in motor vehicle crashes than children who are restrained.
Much of the area that Safe Kids Grand Forks covers is rural in nature. In fact, nearly 1 million children under the age of 14 in the U.S. live on farms or ranches, with many in North Dakota and Minnesota. Each year, approximately 70 children, ages 14 and under die from farm injuries and another 150,000 are injured in the farm in a preventable incident.
To raise awareness about farm injuries, Safe Kids Grand Forks and Farm Credit Services have teamed up to assist with several farm and summer Safety Camps in and around our region. These events are held in the spring and fall of each year.
The communities in which these events are held include:
- Crookston
- East Grand Forks
- Grafton
- Northwood
Most of these camps are scheduled through the community school systems so they are not open to general attendance. For more information on these camps or in hosting one in your community, contact Safe Kids Grand Forks.
- More Farm Information and Resources:
In the United States, pedestrian injury is the second leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 5 to 14, claiming the lives of 669 children in 2001. In 2002, nearly 43,300 children were treated in emergency rooms for pedestrian-related injuries.
Safe Kids Worldwide and program sponsor FedEx Express  created Safe Kids Walk This Way to bring national and local attention to pedestrian safety issues. The goal of the initiative is preventing pedestrian-related injury to children. Since the launch of the program in spring 2000, Safe Kids Walk This Way has spanned the globe to reach families in more than 140 cities throughout the United States and on three continents.
Drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in this age group and the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4. The majority of drowning and near drowning occurs in residential swimming pools and in open water sites. However, children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water and are therefore at risk of drowning in wading pools, bathtubs, buckets, diaper pails, toilets, and hot tubs.
Burns can be one of the most painful injuries a person can experience. Whether burns occur in the home or in an outdoor setting, from flames or water too hot, keeping kids safe from burns is important. Safe Kids Grand Forks is pleased to work in partnership with the Grand Forks Fire Department to spread the safety messages related to fires and burns.
Each year nearly 500 children die in residental fies. Eighty-five percent of these children are under age 10, and more than 56% are ages 4 and under. Smoke alarms are extremely effective at preventing fire-related death and injury.
The chances of dying in a residential fire are cut approximately 50% when a smoke alarm is detector
Safe Kids offers fire and burn prevention resources for adults and children, along with links to other safety resources. Visit the Fire and Burn Prevention website for teacher resources and presentations, safety games, coloring pages, quizzes, and many other valuable resources.
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Phone: 701.780.1489