Student Injury Rates in Public Schools

1
Student Injury Rates in Public Schools

• How we as educators can help.

2
Are Our Schools Safe?

• Does a low number of student injuries make it a
  good school
• We as educators are responsible to protect all
  students from injury in and around school
  premises.

3
What Age Group is Most Likely to Sustain Injury?

• Students between the ages of 10-14
• Grades four to six
• Male students at risk more than female

4
Rules to Prevent Injury
School Environment

• No running in the hallways
• No pushing or shoving
• Do not run with a scissors
• Hang on to handrail when going down stairs

• A safe school environment
• Safety program to help accidental injury
• Conditions that might affect their health

5
How Safe Are Our Playgrounds?

• What are the leading causes of injuries

• How can we prevent them

6
Top Injuries

• Collisions
• Trips
• Falls

7
Data on School Injuries

• States do not have to report injuries
• Arizona, Hawaii, South Carolina, and Utah have
  data bases
• Reports are voluntary
• No guidelines for educators

8
Working Together
Modify school equipment and facilities
Supervision and safety policies
Education of students, teachers, parents, and
administrators about prevention
9
To Be Effective

• Open communication
• Interest in school safety
• Be an example
• Access to information
• Report hazards and injuries
• Find ways to control hazards

10
Before Accidents Occur

• Work places are check regularly
• Safety and health inspections
• Employees relay hazards to management
• Accidents are looked into
• Data reported so injury and illness can be
  prevented

11
School Inspections

• Periodically health and safety inspections need
  to be done
• A safe environment requires everyone's
  participation
• All grounds and buildings are included
• Be able to recognize hazards
• Hazards should be corrected

12
Checklist
13
Stop Health Hazards

• Involve several individuals
• Schedule regular inspections
• Follow up
• When a hazard is found immediately eliminate
  before injury

14
Conclusion

• A safe and healthy environment is often taken for
  granted
• Parents trust us as educators
• Knowledge of how to reduce risk of injury is a
  must
• We must be actively involved to reduce student
  injuries

15
Reference

• Kaldahl, M. A., Blair, E. H. (2005). Student
  injury rates in public school. Journal of School
  Health, 75 (1), 38-40. Retrieved June 7, 2005,
  from EBSCOhost academic search premier database.

Questions?