Crashworthiness of vehicle-to-pole collisions using a hybrid III 3-year-old child dummy

To date, statistics indicate that motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injury for children despite improved crashworthiness of vehicles and child restraint systems, since children are at risk for devastating head and neck injuries due to their fragile physiology. Thus, this thesis focused on minimizing child injuries experienced during frontal vehicle-to-pole collisions by improving on the safety and energy absorption of existing traffic pole structures. A finite element computer model, using LS-DYNA software, was used to simulate crash events in order to determine the influence of pole structural and material characteristics on the injury parameters of a 3-year-old child dummy occupant. It was concluded that the anchored base support, and the embedded pole in soil systems provide desirable crashworthy results. In addition, it is recommended to mandate traffic protection devices in all areas with poor energy absorbing characteristics that resemble non-deformable objects.

Crashworthiness of vehicle-to-pole collisions using a hybrid III 3-year-old child dummy

To date, statistics indicate that motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injury for children despite improved crashworthiness of vehicles and child restraint systems, since children are at risk for devastating head and neck injuries due to their fragile physiology. Thus, this thesis focused on minimizing child injuries experienced during frontal vehicle-to-pole collisions by improving on the safety and energy absorption of existing traffic pole structures. A finite element computer model, using LS-DYNA software, was used to simulate crash events in order to determine the influence of pole structural and material characteristics on the injury parameters of a 3-year-old child dummy occupant. It was concluded that the anchored base support, and the embedded pole in soil systems provide desirable crashworthy results. In addition, it is recommended to mandate traffic protection devices in all areas with poor energy absorbing characteristics that resemble non-deformable objects.

Impact of the Voluntary Safety Standard for Liquid Laundry Packets on Child Injuries Treated in US Hospital Emergency Departments, 2012−2018

Objectives. To evaluate the effect of the voluntary safety standard for liquid laundry packets on the rate of injury involving children younger than 5 years in the United States. Methods. Semiannual national estimates of child injuries involving liquid laundry packets treated in US hospital emergency departments were developed for the July 2012 through December 2018 study period. We used a negative binomial regression model to estimate the effect of the voluntary standard on the injury rate following the standard’s publication at the end of 2015. The analysis controlled for the rapid growth of laundry packet use during the study period. Results are presented as relative risks and percentage changes in the injury rate. Results. The voluntary standard was associated with a 49.4% to 61.6% reduction in the rate of child injury. Conclusions. The results suggest that the requirements of the voluntary standard have effectively reduced the rate of child injury involving liquid laundry packets and may have prevented 9200 to 23 000 emergency department–treated injuries during the study period.

SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS FOR RISK EXPOSURE OF CHILD INJURIES AT HOME WITH FOCUS ON BURNS

<p>Burns are a significant public health problem that occurs at home and especially affect children. Non-fatal burn victims suffer from prolonged hospitalization, disfigurement and disability, with consequences of stigma and rejection. The survey on child injuries at home with focus on burns showed that sociodemographic determinants play an important role for child safety at home. The majority of home injuries were attributable to human and environmental factors. The main ways for prevention, including education, safe environment creation, legislation and enforcement can prevent child injuries (including burns or scalds) and promote safety at home, saving the lives of vulnerable age groups, especially children.</p>