Tricycle-Related Injuries Send Many Children to Hospital

November 15, 2015

Unlocking Word Meanings
 今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. hospitalization / ˌhɒs pɪ tl əˈzeɪ ʃən / (n.) – the state or condition of being taken into a hospital
Example: His life-threatening injury required hospitalization.

2. fracture / ˈfræk tʃər / (v.) – to break a bone
Example: She fractured her ankle when she was dancing.

3. suffocation / ˌsʌfəˈkeɪʃn̩ / (n.) – the condition of not being able to breathe
Example: Putting a blanket over a child’s face may cause suffocation.

4. recreation / ˌri kriˈeɪ ʃən / (n.) – activities done to have fun
Example: Our family’s favorite recreation is mountain climbing.

5. keep an eye on / kip ən aɪ ɒn / (idiom) – to closely watch or monitor someone or something
Example: I need to keep an eye on my baby sister today.


Article
 ニュース記事

Read the text below.
Many children in the United States have required hospitalization because of tricycle-related injuries, a recent study revealed.

Medical student Sean Bandzar and his colleagues conducted the said study, which was published in the journal Pediatrics. To identify the characteristics of tricycle-related injuries among children, the researchers reviewed and analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for 2012 and 2013.

According to the researchers’ analysis, more than 9,300 cases of tricycle-related injuries treated in emergency rooms were recorded in 2012 and 2013. Researchers also found that 224 of these children had to be admitted into the hospital, while the rest were able to go home right after their treatment.

The researchers also found that most accidents related to riding a tricycle involved two-year-olds. In addition, the average age of children who were sent to the hospital because of a tricycle accident was three years. The most common injury was in the children’s head, while the elbow was the most commonly fractured.

Aside from riding a tricycle, other common causes of injuries and even death among children include suffocation, drowning, fire and burns, accidental poisoning, falling from a height, and accidents related to sports and recreation. This is according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a public health institute in the United States.

The National Health Service in the United Kingdom says that accidents involving children usually happen when parents fail to look after their children because of distractions. Thus, parents or guardians are encouraged to always keep an eye on their children to avoid accidents.

Viewpoint Discussion
 ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         How else can accidents involving children be prevented?
·         After reading the article, would you still recommend the use of tricycles among children? Why?

Discussion B

·         What toys do you think are not safe for children? Please discuss your answer.
·         In your opinion, until what age should parents keep an eye on their children? Explain your answer.

November 15, 2015