April 20, 2026, 11:00 a.m.
Lindsay Clukies, MD
As an emergency medicine physician, I see childhood illnesses that are unavoidable. But every week, I treat several emergencies that are predictable and can be prevented with small changes at home.
Medication mix-ups
Medication-related emergencies are among the most common preventable visits. Children are curious and often find pills left on counters, in purses, or in easily accessible drawers. Teens sometimes take over-the-counter products in higher doses than intended, assuming they are harmless because they are not prescription medications.
What helps:
- Store all medications, vitamins, and supplements in a locked location that is out of reach and not visible to children.
- Ask all friends and family members (including grandparents) who are around your children to do the same.
- Keep products in their original, labeled containers.
- Avoid leaving pills out even for a moment.
- Save the Poison Control number (1-800-222-1222) in your phone’s contacts.
Choking hazards
Children under 5 can easily choke on food and small objects. Many choking emergencies involve food or objects that parents or caregivers may not expect to be dangerous. Grapes, hot dogs, popcorn, gel candies, and latex balloons are among the most common. Putting things in their mouths is developmentally appropriate and one of the primary ways babies and young children explore.
What helps:
- Cut foods into safe sizes for young children.
- Keep dangerous foods from children until at least age 4, depending on size and maturity level. This includes hot dogs, chewing gum, popcorn, whole grapes, raw fruit chunks, nuts and seeds, marshmallows, and more.
- Supervise closely during meals and play. Do not allow walking, running, or playing with food in the mouth.
- Do not let babies or children play with coins, marbles, or other very small objects.
Firearm injuries
Firearm injuries are the No. 1 cause of death for children and adolescents. Most firearms involved in unintentional (or accidental) deaths occur in the home with firearms that were not stored securely. Children are curious and cannot tell the difference between a real firearm and a toy.
What helps:
- Store firearms locked, unloaded, and with ammunition locked and stored separately.
- Never keep a firearm unsecured in an automobile.
- Always ask about the storage of firearms where your child plays, travels, or frequents.
Button batteries and magnets
Small batteries and high-powered magnets can cause serious internal injuries and even death when swallowed. Some button batteries can burn through the esophagus in just two hours. They are shiny, easy to miss, and often fall out of household items or toys without anyone noticing.
What helps:
- Check toys, remote controls, flameless candles, and gadgets for secure battery compartments.
- Only purchase products or toys that are closed with a child-resistant locking mechanism, or that require a tool to open.
- Never leave batteries out. Keep spare batteries and magnets completely out of sight and reach.
- Seek immediate help if ingestion is suspected.
Hot liquid burns
Burns from hot liquids or steam (scald burns) happen quickly and can be extremely painful. Instant noodle cups, coffee mugs, and microwaved bottles are frequent sources of scalding injuries in young children. Scald burns are most likely to occur at home and in children under 4 because they are naturally curious and unaware of burn risks.
What helps:
- Keep hot drinks and food off low tables and counters.
- Turn pot handles inward toward the back of the stove and cook on the back burners.
- Test microwaved items carefully, as heat can be uneven.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) or lower, or between low and medium.
- Never leave your infant or child unattended in a bathtub and never hold your child while you’re cooking.
Head injuries from bike and scooter accidents
Head injuries from bikes, scooters, and skateboards are frequent and often preventable. Even short rides on flat sidewalks can lead to significant injuries without proper protection. Helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injuries substantially.
What helps:
- Make helmets a consistent rule for every ride, every time, and check that the helmet fits properly. It should sit level on the head and cover the forehead with the straps buckled snugly.
- Replace helmets after a crash or if damaged and model the behavior by wearing a helmet yourself.
- Let kids pick and decorate their helmets, so they’re excited to wear them.
- Add reflective stickers or lights to helmets, bikes, scooters, or skateboards to improve visibility when riding.
- St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Safety Stop offers education and tips on how to adjust and properly fit your child’s bike helmet. To schedule a bike helmet fitting, call 314-213-0062.
Trampoline and indoor playground injuries
Sprains, fractures, and neck injuries are common in trampoline parks and backyards. The risk increases significantly when multiple children jump at the same time. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against home trampolines, noting that safety measures do not significantly reduce injury risk.
For those who use them:
- Allow only one jumper at a time.
- Avoid flips and somersaults, which can cause serious neck or spine injuries.
- Recognize that soft surfaces do not eliminate the risk of injury.
- Trampolines should have intact, well-maintained padding and net enclosures, with regular inspections. If parts are unavailable or the trampoline is damaged, it should be discarded.
Treadmill and exercise equipment injuries
Treadmill belt burns on the hands and arms are very common in toddlers and young children. These injuries occur when children touch a moving belt, or approach equipment that has recently been in use and remains accessible.
What helps:
- Unplug equipment and remove the safety key when not in use.
- Block access with a gate, locked doors, or covered controls.
- Keep cords, controls, and remotes out of reach.
- Allow the equipment to fully stop and cool before leaving the area.
In case of a medical emergency with a child, determine where the nearest accredited, Level I pediatric trauma center is located. Find the St. Louis Children’s Hospital pediatric Emergency Department location nearest you.
Lindsay Clukies, MD, is a WashU Medicine pediatric emergency medicine physician and the associate medical director for trauma services at St. Louis Children's Hospital. She cares for children and families during some of their most critical moments and works to advance injury prevention efforts in the community. As a mother of three, she brings both medical expertise and a parent's perspective to her commitment to child safety.
