JOIN USOnce they turn five years old, unintentional injuries are the biggest threat to children’s survival. Children live in a world designed for adults, and because their body contours and behaviour are different, they are more prone to injury. Child injuries are largely absent from child survival initiatives on both local and global agendas. Most common causes of injuries among children are falls, for example falling from the bed/table/chair, tripping while running, swallowing toxic things, and burns.
Understanding danger
A young kid cannot understand danger. A kid can relate to the word ‘Stop’ or ‘No’, but they cannot interpret something like ‘Do not run onto the street, you will get hit by a car’. He is too busy concentrating on running without falling over.
* Get rid of the danger – eg. if you use chemicals in the garden, throw away the leftover chemicals
* Change the hazard – eg. avoid keeping a table and stool next to balcony parapet or windows
* Block access to the danger – eg always put medicines and cleaning chemicals in a locked cupboard
* Follow safety rules yourself – Children learn from what you do! eg. follow traffic rules while driving and also as a pedestrian
Safety measures
* Have emergency phone numbers near the phone: Police, ambulance, fire, family doctor
* Always keep a first aid kit in the house and also in the car
* Learn the basic first aid course which includes emergency resuscitation