Summer injuries in kids: What Dayton Children’s data shows and how to prevent them
Seasonal Snapshot: What we saw. What we can prevent.
That’s the idea behind Seasonal Snapshot: What we saw. What we can prevent., a new series from Dayton Children’s Hospital that uses patient injury data to identify seasonal trends and give families practical ways to keep kids safe.
The first Seasonal Snapshot looks at injuries treated at Dayton Children’s from May through July 2026. Three findings stood out: e-bike and e-scooter injuries, drowning and button battery ingestions.
on wheels: e-bike and e-scooter injuries are on the rise
From May through July, Dayton Children’s treated 137 children for e-bike and e-scooter-related injuries, including 16 involving cars or other vehicles.
The average age of children injured on e-bikes and e-scooters was 11 years old. Common injuries included injuries to the head, face, neck, shoulders and knees; broken arms, wrists and legs; and scrapes.
Helmet use remains an important opportunity for preventing injuries. Fewer than half of children with e-bike injuries and 18% with e-scooter injuries were documented as wearing a helmet. None of the nine children involved in an e-scooter versus traffic injury were documented as wearing a helmet.
The injuries can also be serious. So far in 2026, 22 children with e-bike or e-scooter injuries have been admitted to Dayton Children’s, compared with nine in all of 2025.
what can families do to prevent e-bike and e-scooter injuries?
Make a properly fitted helmet nonnegotiable for every ride. Follow manufacturer age recommendations, make sure children have the skills to safely operate the device and have them practice away from traffic before riding independently.
around water: drowning remains a risk for young children
Dayton Children’s treated 11 children for drowning incidents from May through July. Children ages 2 to 4 were most commonly involved. One child died.
Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, making active adult supervision critical whenever children are in or around water.
what can families do to prevent kids from drowning?
Designate an adult “water watcher” whose only job is to actively supervise children around water. Use appropriate life jackets and create multiple layers of protection, including barriers that prevent young children from accessing pools without an adult. Enroll kids in age-appropriate swim lessons
around the home: button batteries pose a hidden danger
Small enough to fit inside many everyday household items, button batteries can pose a serious risk to young children if swallowed.
Dayton Children’s treated four children for button battery ingestions from May through July. The average age was just 2 years old. Eleven button battery ingestions have been treated at Dayton Children’s so far in 2026.
Button batteries can be found in common household products, including remote controls, key fobs, toys and other small electronics.
what can families do to prevent button battery ingestions?
Keep loose batteries and devices containing button batteries out of reach of young children. Make sure battery compartments are secure and regularly check toys and household devices for loose or missing batteries. If you suspect a child swallowed a button battery, seek immediate medical attention.
using injury data to help keep kids safe
Summer is only the beginning of the Seasonal Snapshot series. Throughout the year, Dayton Children’s injury prevention team will review patient data to identify seasonal and emerging injury trends and share timely information with families and health care providers.
Learn more about injury prevention programs from Dayton Children’s, plus tips and resources for your family, including free car seat safety checks, Navigating Teen Driving Together, home safety and more.
contact us
If you are interested in pursuing a story about Dayton Children’s please contact public relations manager, Katie Solovey, at 937-673-4941 or by filling out a media inquiry through our contact us form.