Citation

Campbell CM, Baker MD, Monroe KW. Pediatr. Emerg. Care 2012; 28(12): 1389-1390.

Affiliation

From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PEC.0b013e318276c8a3

PMID

23222111

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tornadoes and violent weather pose a hazard to children, yet little is known about the use of personal protective devices during storms. An outbreak of tornadoes on April 27, 2011, resulted in the deaths of 23 children in Alabama. METHODS: Records from 60 patients seen in a pediatric emergency department for tornado-related injuries were reviewed to identify the use of injury prevention devices. RESULTS: Three children directly exposed to a violent tornado (Enhanced Fujita Scale 4) were using safety equipment, specifically, a helmet and infant car seats. These 3 children sustained only minor injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Personal protective devices may have played a role in preventing child injuries from tornadoes. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the medical literature on helmet and infant car seat use as child protective devices during tornadoes.

Language: en