Keeping kids safe and around Water

Background/Purpose: Nationally unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in children from ages 0 to 14. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional deaths. State of Michigan mortality data revealed that there were 238 unintentional injury deaths in children 0 to 14 years old, between 1990 and 2006. Wayne County deaths data revealed that between 1996 and 2008, 31 children died from water related injuries. Children's Hospital of Michigan has seen over 50 patients with water related injuries, between 2003 and 2008.

Methods: Kohl's Trauma Related Injury Prevention (TRIP) Program was developed to help families learn to prevent unintentional injuries that can lead to death. TRIP developed the water watcher for parents that will identify who is responsible for the child when around water. An interactive educational program that includes wearing a Personal Floatation Device, buddy systems, bucket safety, weather hazards along with demonstrations and educational material is provided to children and parents. Pre and post tests are administered to evaluate the retention of information by the children.

Results/Outcomes: In 2008, TRIP educated over 139,000 students and parents. After the analyses of the data of 709 children, the results are: pre tests showed 89.5% correct responses, post tests showed 96.9% correct responses. The post test reveals an overall average of 12.06% increase in correct responses.

Conclusion: The TRIP program has helped educate children and parents to be aware of water related hazards so they can be empowered to make safe choices when in and around water.