By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Toddlers are at risk for choking incidents in homes and day care centers. Due to this real danger, parents, babysitters, teachers, day care providers, and child care workers should take precautions to remove items from the reach of children that may lead to a choking incident. Parents and caregivers should be super diligent in monitoring what a child eats, what is within reach of a child, and what toys are available and appropriate for a child. It is estimated that approximately 2.5 million children in the United States experience some type of choking episode or incident every year after consuming or swallowing a foreign object. Of these, medical researchers estimate that 2,000 deaths result every year. This is a staggering number considering that many such incidents are avoidable with proper supervision, consistency, and some common sense. One suggestion from medical experts is to do a “Toilet Paper Tube Test.” If an item can fit through a toilet paper tube, it is too small to be left within the reach of a child. Safety precautions and solid supervision can help prevent many choking incidents from taking place. This would certainly reduce the number of associated choking personal injuries to children. You can read more at Doctors Warn of Choking Hazards to Children.
In New York and other States, two things don’t mix well – day care centers and guns. In Syracuse, New York, a man was sentenced to prison for having a shot gun outside of a New York day care center. He was charged and sentenced for criminal possession of this firearm / weapon. Police had responded to the scene after getting a call that shots were fired. While no children or others were injured, the man was still charged with a crime. See
In Clear Lake, Minnesota and other cities, parents place their children in day care center with the hope and expectation that the children will receive care in a nurturing, clean, and safe environment. Unfortunately, children in Minnesota are abused, neglected, and injured in Minnesota day care centers. Some children even suffer serious personal injuries or die as a result of poor care or criminal acts in a day care center. In Clear Lake, Minnesota, a Ham Lake (Minnesota) man – Joshua Paul Emery – was sentenced to 6 years of prison for an incident that took place at a day care center. Emery punched a 3 year old girl enrolled in the program because she was crying. The trauma was this punch caused her bowel to perforate which in turn required surgery. Emery was charged and subsequently he pleaded guilty to the criminal charges of assault.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, a man tried to abduct / kidnap a 4 year old boy from a Charlotte gym while the boy’s father was working out. The gym provided for day care services for members. While the boy’s father was working out, a man came to the day care center part of the gym and told the attendant that he was a friend of the boy’s father (work out partner) and that he was there to pick up the boy. As the attendant was gathering the boy’s belongs, the boy stated that the man was not his father and that he did not know the man. The attendant then informed the man that the attendant would need to contact the father before releasing the boy out of the care and custody of the gym’s day care program.
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In South Dakota and other States, it is quite tragic that incidents of Shaken Baby Syndrome continue to be reported. The simple and violent act of shaking a baby can result in serious brain damage and even death. Never – ever shake a baby for any reason. Whether it is done in fun, in anger or for discipline, a child’s brain and skull cannot withstand the force of an adult shaking the child. In Eagle Butte, South Dakota, it was reported by the 
In Washington and States, children continue to be the unfortunate victims of drive way and back over accidents. In Newcastle, Washington, a father was backing out of his driveway when he accidentally hit his son with the back end of the vehicle. As the father was backing up, the boy ran over from a corner to where the vehicle was backing up according to local police.