Mothers' Health and Children's Injuries.

Mothers should get a checkup as well when they take their kids to the doctor, suggests Kathy Russell, associate professor of nursing, Ball State University, Muncie, Ind. "Children are more likely to have repeat injuries if their mothers [have] poor health habits. When children come through for treatment, the focus is usually on the child. We might need to also ask how the mother is doing."

Russell has studied factors related to unintentional repeat injuries in 4,287 preschoolers across the nation. Her goal is to help health care providers identify and serve youngsters considered at risk for repeat injuries.

Mothers with health problems may not be able to supervise their offspring continuously against household injuries, Russell points out. Other factors contributing to repeat injuries include use of alcohol, depression, and perceptions of the child's behavior.

Health professionals can help prevent injuries by educating parents. "Intervention should include teaching parents about growth and development of children and what to expect from children at particular ages."

Russell offers the following safety tips for parents of...