Facial Injuries

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Prevention

There are many steps you can take to help prevent a facial injury.

Always use car safety seats and seat belts to prevent or reduce nose and facial injuries during a car accident. Place your child in an approved child car seat when traveling in a car. Follow the manufacturer's directions for securing the seat in the car. Children should ride in the back seat for safety.
Do not use alcohol or other drugs before participating in sports or when operating a motor vehicle or other equipment.
Wear a helmet and other protective clothing whenever you are biking, motorcycling, skating, skateboarding, kayaking, horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding, or rock climbing.
Wear a mouth protector when you participate in contact sports.
Wear a hard hat if you work in an industrial area.
Wear safety glasses, goggles, or face shields when you work with power tools or when you do an activity that might cause an object to fly into your face.
Do not dive into shallow or unfamiliar water.
Prevent falls in your home by removing hazards that might cause a fall.
Do not keep guns in your home. If you must keep guns, lock them up and store them unloaded and uncocked. Lock ammunition in a separate area.

You can take steps to help reduce your young child's risk of facial injury.

Never leave your child unattended in a high place, such as on a tabletop; in a crib with the sides down; on elevated porches, decks, and landings; or even on a bed or sofa.
Do not leave your child alone in any infant seat or sitting toy, such as a swing or jumper. Use all of the safety straps provided.
Use stair gates to block stairways. Use gates at the top and bottom of the stairs, and use the gates properly.
Do not use baby walkers. Baby walkers have caused many injuries and are not safe even if the baby is watched closely.
Watch your child when he or she is outside. Uneven grass, sloping lawns, and hills may be hard for your child to walk on.
Make your home safe from falls by removing hazards that might cause a fall, such as throw rugs.
Place your child in an approved child car seat when traveling in a car. Follow the manufacturer's directions for securing the seat in the car. Children should ride in the back seat for safety.
Have your children wear helmets when necessary, such as when they are passengers on a bike or are riding a tricycle or bicycle on their own.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 15, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.