MUNCIE, Ind. -- Mothers should also get a checkup when they take their children to the doctor, says a Ball State University researcher.

"Children are more likely to have repeat injuries if their mothers are perceived as having poor health habits," Kathy Russell, associate professor of nursing, said. "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 preschool children across the nation. Her research was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health.

Her goal is to help health care providers identify and serve children considered at risk for repeat injuries.

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

"Health professionals need to assess what mothers think of their children," Russell said.

Professionals can also 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 said.

The most common injuries to children found in her study were falls, burns, insect bites and being hit by objects. Russell offers some safety tips for parents of preschool children:

• Keep all hazardous materials out of a child’s reach.

• Install gates on stairways leading both up and down. Do not use accordion gates with large openings because a child’s neck can become trapped in the openings.

• Never leave standing water. Young children can drown in just inches of water, even a mop bucket.

• Keep water heaters turned down and have a thermometer for the bathtub. Install anti-scald devices in faucet fixtures.

• Purchase locks for toilets and cabinets and safety plugs for electric outlets.

• Use window guards to prevent falls from windows. Window screens do not prevent falls.

• Always strap children into high chairs and strollers.

• Avoid round and hard foods like grapes, popcorn and hard candy for children under 4 to prevent choking.

"You can have all the safety devices you want, but have to remember to always supervise a pre-school child and understand that a child is naturally curious," Russell said.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about this story or how to reach the source, contact Anthony Barker at 765-285-1560 or tbarker@wp.bsu.edu.)