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FD: Child Safety
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Risk Watch - Comprehensive Safety Program
We are committed to keeping all of our residents safe. We have partnered with McKinney ISD to offer the National Fire Protection Association's® Risk Watch™ curriculum in all elementary schools. This comprehensive program focuses on the eight areas posing the highest risk of death and injury to children.
Bike & Pedestrian Safety
Head injuries are the most serious type and are the most common cause of death among bicyclists. Bicycle helmet use can significantly reduce these injuries. Additionally, approximately 1,000 children are killed annually in pedestrian-related incidents.
- Learn and practice street crossing rules.
- Learn and practice bike safety rules.
- Wear a helmet every time you ride.
- See and be seen. Ride with, not against the flow of traffic.
Choking, Suffocation & Strangulation Prevention
Every year, hundreds of children in the United States die as a result of suffocation and choking.
- Suffocation results from being enclosed in something that blocks the intake of air.
- Choking results when someone swallows something that obstructs the airway.
- Strangulation results when someone's airway is compressed.
- Eating is serious business. Put only small amounts of food in your mouth and chew slowly and thoroughly. Don't run or play while eating.
- Save your breath. Strangulation hazards may include clothing drawstrings, ribbons, necklaces, pacifier strings, window blind cords, etc. Other hazards may include openings in cribs, bunk bed guardrails, playground equipment, baby strollers and high chairs. Use caution when purchasing such items.
- Prevent suffocation. Never allow children to play with plastic bags or go inside anything which has the potential to trap them, i.e., out of service refrigerators, dishwashers, toy boxes, etc.
Fall Prevention
Unintentional falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries resulting in emergency room visits for people of all ages.
- Stay away from open windows.
- Avoid playing on stairs and escalators.
- Learn and practice safe play rules.
- Play on soft play surfaces.
Fire & Burn Prevention
- If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, cover your face and roll over and over until the flames are out. Cool the burn with cool, clear water and call 911.
- Practice home fire escape drills at least twice yearly.
- Test your smoke alarms once a month by pushing the "test" button.
- Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year.
- If your alarm sounds, get out and stay out.
Firearm Injury Prevention
Children are curious by nature and eagerly explore their environment. Nearly all childhood unintentional shooting deaths occur in or around the home. Most of these shooting deaths involve guns that have been kept loaded and easily accessible to children.
- Tell an adult immediately if you find or see a gun.
- Stay away from guns and bullets.
Motor Vehicle Safety
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for children ages 14 and under.
- Always ride buckled up in the back seat in a child safety or booster seat.
- Learn and practice school bus safety rules.
Poisoning Prevention
Keep all poisonous materials out of the sight and reach of children. Most bathroom medicine chests are not safe places for medicine storage.
- Children should only take medications from an adult they know and trust.
- Post the poison control center phone number near all phones.
- Identify any poison hazards in your home and take appropriate safety precautions.
- Children should always tell an adult if someone finds poison.
Water Safety
Drowning is the second leading cause of death from intentional injuries for people ages 5 to 24. Childhood drownings and near-drownings happen in a matter of seconds.
- Always swim with an adult.
- Wear a personal flotation device every time you're in a boat or on a personal watercraft. Inner tubes and inflatable rafts are not personal flotation devices.
- Learn and practice water safety rules.
- Stop, look, and test before entering lakes and pools.
For additional information on keeping your family safe, please call the Life Safety Division of the McKinney Fire Department at 972-547-2850 or email the Fire Department.
Child Safety Seat Resources
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center McKinney
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center provides free Child Passenger Safety Education and Car Seat Checks through their Trauma Services Injury Prevention Program. They teach caregivers how to successfully and safely install their own car seats with Child Passenger Safety Technicians certified through SafeKids Worldwide. Call Trauma Services at 469-764-5500 to schedule an appointment.
Baylor also has infant safety courses at the hospital. Register for a course online or call 1-800-4Baylor (1-800-422-9567) to register.
Centennial Medical Center of Frisco
Centennial Medical Center of Frisco offers child safety seat training, as well as other services through their prenatal education programs. For additional information call 800-330-3819 or contact their Community Relations Liaison.
National Transportation Safety Administration
Visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for a list of agencies in the McKinney area offering child safety seat inspection and installation services.
Texas Department of Public Safety
For additional information about child safety in motor vehicles, including information on the latest Texas laws regarding safety seats, booster seats and other vital information, please visit the Texas Department of Public Safety and read their FAQ.