Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Safety Tips

Shriners Hospitals for Children® is committed to to raising awareness and helping prevent spinal cord injuries. Here are some safety tips to lessen the likelihood of these incidents:

Vehicles

  • Avoid distractions, including texting, talking on the phone, eating, disruptive passengers or pets
  • Give driving your full attention
  • Never drive after drinking alcohol
  • Wear a seatbelt
  • Be aware of side-effects of prescription drugs before driving
  • Properly restrain children under age 12 in the back seat
  • Place young children in age and height and weight appropriate safety or booster seats
  • Follow traffic rules, including speed limits
  • Download our brochure, Safety Tips for Young Drivers  
Falls 
  • Avoid having throw rugs in the home
  • Keep carpet in good condition. Replace or repair torn edges.
  • Be sure your home and stairways are well-lit
  • Keep floors and pathways clear

Violence

  • Teach children that guns are dangerous and never to play with them
  • Instruct your children to leave places where guns are accessible or visible
  • Encourage children to discover new ways of resolving differences or arguments without violence or weapons
  • Keep guns locked, out of site and unloaded
  • Lock and store bullets in a separate location

Diving

  • Have clearly visible depth indicators around the entire pool. Do not allow anyone to dive into water less than 9 feet deep.
  • Never allow anyone to dive into an above-ground pool.
  • Be sure pool area is adequately lit
  • Clearly indicate appropriate diving areas
  • Have someone trained in water safety present at parties

Playground

  • Check playground and playing fields to be sure they are properly maintained and equipment meets safety standards
  • Be sure there is appropriate adult supervision

Trampolines

  • Always have trained persons to supervise use
  • Children should not jump on trampoline from high objects or locations
  • Always have protective padding on supports and surrounding land surfaces
  • Allow only one person on trampoline at one time

Sports

  • Always wear appropriate clothes, shoes and safety gear
  • Learn proper techniques for movements used in different games
  • Play by the rules
  • Be sure there is proper supervision

Download and save all of these tips.