Advances in the prevention of children's injuries: an examination of four common outdoor activities.
OBJECTIVE
Injuries remain the leading cause of death for children. Experts in paediatrics and child health have a current interest in promoting children's healthy active living. This review highlights findings from recent literature regarding the prevention of injuries from four common outdoor activities: bicycling, snowboarding and skiing, walking and playground activity.


RESULTS
There is sound evidence for the effectiveness of bicycle helmets, the promotion of bicycle helmets at a community level and through physician counselling, and legislation; for the effectiveness of helmets for skiing and snowboarding; for the effectiveness of implementing playground safety standards; and for the effectiveness of modifications to the pedestrian physical environment.


CONCLUSIONS
The science of injury prevention has advanced considerably. The highest level of evidence, including systematic reviews, is now available regarding the effectiveness of protective measures, engineering approaches to the environment and legislation. Healthcare providers caring for children play a leading role in injury prevention through child and family counselling, advocacy and research.
Parkin
Patricia C
PC
Division of Pediatric Medicine and the Pediatric Outcomes Research Team and the Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Canada. patricia.parkin@sickkids.ca
Howard
Andrew W
AW
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000293:injuries*; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries*; D016138:Walking / Q000293:injuries*