A dog may be man's best friend, but that's no reason to let your guard down, especially around dogs and children. Dog bites are one of the leading causes of doctor and hospital visits, with over 4.5 million people bitten by dogs each year according to the U.S. CDC. A study of all the dog attacks from 1982 to 2014 revealed that of all the dog attacks, children were overwhelmingly the target of the attacks.

Many attacks can be avoided with proper training, including avoiding aggressive games like tug-of-war. Even if a dog is familiar with a person, that does not protect them from possible bites: 80 percent of dog bite incidents involving children are inflicted by a family dog (30 percent) or a neighbor's dog (50 percent), according to statistics from the Humane Society of the United States.

To avoid the dangers of dog bites, follow these tips:

Pay attention to the signs
Dogs typically signal when they are feeling threatened or are about to attack. Keep an eye out for:

• Tensed body
• Stiff tail
• Ears pinned back
• Teeth bared
• Eyes rolled so the whites are visible

If you notice any of these signs, stay calm. Don't run from the dog, simply stay still and avoid direct eye contact. If the dog attacks, try and "feed" them an article of clothing like a jacket.

If you are bitten
In the event that you are bitten, immediately wash out the wound thoroughly with warm water and soap. Put disinfectant on the wound and cover immediately. If you are unaware of the dog's vaccination status, seek medical attention as soon as possible. From there, contact your local animal care and control agency to report the attack. 

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