According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year with 1 in 5 people requiring medical attention.

At least half of dog bite victims are children. Not only are children the most common victims of dog bites, but they’re also far more likely to be severely injured.

While we may not always be able to control dogs and their owners, we can teach our children the proper way to approach and interact with dogs to help reduce their risk of getting bitten by a dog.

Dr. Susan K. Yaeger, Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, says make sure your child knows how to handle the following interactions properly.

When greeting a dog

Teach them to follow these steps:

1. Ask the dog’s owner for permission. It’s never OK to approach or try to pet a dog without asking the owner first, even if you know the dog.

2. Be calm and approach the dog slowly.

3. Before petting the dog, allow the dog to see and sniff your hand. To do this safely, hold your arm low and make your hand into a ball or completely flat with your palm up.

4. After the dog has sniffed your hand, gently pet the side of the dog’s neck, chest and body.

Avoid petting the top of the head or tail.

When approached by an unfamiliar dog

If your child is approached by an unfamiliar dog, they should stand still like a tree until the dog leaves or an adult can assist them. They should also avoid looking directly in the dog’s eyes.

Emphasize to your child how important it is that they remain as calm as possible.

If the dog knocks your child over, they should roll into a ball, covering their face and neck, and stay very still until the dog goes away.

If the dog tries to bite your child, they should put anything they can between themself and the dog.

What if a dog bites your child?

If a dog bites your child, seek medical treatment immediately.

To help the clinician understand the infection risk and what treatment your child might need, try to have the following information ready:

• Your child’s immunization status and medical history

• The name and location of the dog’s owner

• Whether the dog is up to date on its vaccinations

• Whether the attack was provoked (i.e. approaching a dog while it’s eating) or unprovoked. Knowing the attack was unprovoked lets the clinician know that the dog could be sick, which might guide treatment decisions.

In the event of an emergency, call 911. The emergency room at LVH–Carbon is located at 2128 Blakeslee Blvd. Drive E., Lehighton.