Dr Abhinav Mani
Child injuries encompass accidental harm that occurs among individuals aged 0 to 19. Every hour, a child succumbs to injury, with about 1 in 5 child deaths attributed to this cause. A child is treated for an injury in the emergency department every 4 seconds.
Children’s environments are rife with potential hazards, and unintentional injuries account for a significant number of annual injury-related deaths. It is estimated that 90% of these injuries could be preventable with proper precautions. Unintentional injuries refer to those that could be avoided through the implementation of necessary safety measures. While individuals of all ages can face life-threatening unintentional injuries, certain types of injuries pose greater risks to specific age groups.
Examples of such injuries include falling to the ground, burns, poisoning, drowning, injuries caused by heavy objects, and road traffic accidents.
Preventing Childhood Trauma and Injuries
A) Infants: Accidents involving infants often arise from falls, burns, suffocation, and the ingestion of foreign objects. To mitigate these risks:
4Always ensure infants are under constant supervision to prevent falls in unprotected areas.
4Avoid providing very small objects to children.
4Ensure toys lack detachable small parts that could be accidentally ingested or inserted into the nose or ears.
4Refrain from offering solid foods that pose a choking hazard.
4Keep items like coins, buttons, stoves, fires, electrical appliances, switches, and medications out of the reach of children.
4Never leave children unsupervised near water sources like tubs or pools.
B) Toddlers: Toddlers are susceptible to injuries from falls, burns, aspiration, electrocution, drowning, and road traffic accidents. To safeguard them:
4Provide constant supervision and clear guidance during various activities.
4Store harmful substances like hot objects, medications, sharp items, chemicals, inflammable materials, and electrical appliances out of children’s reach.
4Ensure non-slippery flooring and securely place furniture to prevent falls.
4Prohibit children from playing with cords, plastic bags, or pillows.
4Install proper protective measures like parapets on roofs and railings on staircases.
C) Adolescents: Adolescents face risks such as road traffic accidents, injuries from sports and instruments, and electric accidents. Promote safety among adolescents by:
4Educating them about safety precautions concerning fire, electricity, sharp objects, and ideally, swimming.
4Encouraging them to engage in activities within safe environments, such as avoiding flying kites from open rooftops.
4Instructing them on road safety and traffic rules and never leaving them alone in a car with the keys.
Concept of Childproofing of HOME:
Childproofing the house in general is about making sure you have the safety essentials installed and your home’s repairs and renovations are up to date.
A. In General
4Acquiring proficiency in infant Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
4Maintaining a comprehensive First Aid kit, including bandages, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment, and pain medication.
4Installing electrical outlet covers to prevent access to dangerous openings.
4Securing heavy electronics and furniture with wall-mounted hardware and safety straps.
4Avoiding the use of lead paint at home to prevent cognitive problems in babies and toddlers.
4Installing and maintaining smoke detectors whenever possible.
B. Bathroom
4Installing an external door lock to ensure bathroom safety for children.
4Securing the toilet with a latch to prevent exploration by little ones.
4Using cabinet locks to store hazardous bathroom cleaners and small devices out of reach.
4Adjusting the water heater to maintain the bathtub water temperature at a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
4Storing items such as pills, cosmetics, and cleaning products in secure, out-of-reach locations.
4Safely disposing of the trash can to prevent children from accessing and potentially tasting its contents.
C. Kitchen
4Using knob safeguards and oven locks to prevent unintended use by children.
4Storing knives out of reach in secured blocks or drawers.
4Installing locks on lower cabinets containing hazardous substances.
4Disconnecting and managing cords for kitchen appliances.
4Storing matches in a high, locked cabinet.
4Keeping hot dishes away from counter edges and avoiding tablecloths that a child could pull.
D. Rooms
4Cushioning table corners to prevent accidental bumps and injuries.
4Securing cords from lamps and windows to prevent strangulation hazards.
4Installing metal window guards on window frames.
4Exercising caution with a lit fireplace and never leaving a baby unattended in the room.
4Adding an exterior door lock to home offices for added safety.
4Being vigilant about small items that can be choking hazards and using warning words to emphasize potential dangers.
E. Washing area
4Using childproof garbage cans and storing detergents out of children’s reach.
4Being cautious of liquid laundry gel packs and keeping them inaccessible to prevent ingestion risks.
Considering the age appropriateness of gel packs and employing child locks for front-loading washers and dryers.
F. Toy room
4Prioritizing crib safety by opting for a minimalist setup.
4Choosing open toy storage to reduce the risk of trapping or pinching.
4Using cordless window blinds to minimize the risk of entanglement or strangulation.
In conclusion, adopting these safety measures, including securing furniture, childproofing cabinets, and choosing safe toy storage, significantly enhances the overall safety of your baby’s environment.
(The writer is Assistant Professor, Department of Trauma and Emergency Medicine AIIMS, Vijaypur, Jammu).