Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Study finds fewer Nevada children dying in accidents

2002 survey ranks state 32nd, with 19 deaths per 100,000 age 14 and under

Nevadans are doing better than ever at helping their children survive childhood, improving on accidental death prevention between 2000 and 2002, according to the Kids Count Data Book.

Put out by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the national study surveys 10 measures that reflect the well-being of children.

Nevada ranks 32nd among all states in the study, which shows the state dramatically reduced child deaths. In 2000, the state reported 23 deaths for every 100,000 children age 1 to 14; in 2002, the number had dropped to 19.

Clark County Health District officials said the improvement is due in part to a greater effort by authorities to promote public awareness campaigns, and increasing involvement by nonprofit groups that focus on child safety.

Mike Bernstein, a health educator in injury prevention, said the district has been drumming a pool safety message in Southern Nevada since about 2000.

Over the past four years, he said, child drownings have gone down by more than half. So far in 2005, the health district has recorded three drowning deaths, one in June and two in April.

The improvement shouldn't mean parents or authorities should let their guards down, Bernstein said.

"In Clark County, there are more than 75,000 backyard pools and 4,500 public pools. That's a lot of opportunity for accidental drowning."

Jeanne Cosgrove, a registered nurse and injury prevention coordinator at Sunrise Hospital, said part of the improved child death rate in Nevada lies in parents doing a better job of complying with seat belt and vehicle child safety seat laws.

Cosgrove, who also heads Safe Kids Clark County, a nonprofit group dedicated to preventing injuries and accidental deaths among children, said the main thrust of the group's public awareness campaign has been car safety. The group offers free car seat inspections and provides free car seats to needy families. For information about obtaining inspections or a free safety seat, call 731-8666.

"People talk about (how) children die when they're left in a hot car, but we see only about one of those deaths per year," she said. "The truth is, many more die from not being buckled up."

Safe Kids recently concluded a survey of seat belt and car seat compliance in Southern Nevada and found that in 2000, only about 37 percent of parents buckled up their children. By 2004, compliance had reached about 60 percent.