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Accident Prevention for Children
PREFACE
Accidents are the main cause of injury and even death in children. People
only relate accidents to traffic accident or accidents in outdoor activities.
However, as a matter of fact, the place where people regard as the safest
place–home–hides many “hazards”. The main cause of home accident is general
negligence of safety at home. This pamphlet aims at providing some measures
in preventing home accident, first aid measures and how to call for help.
FALL
Cause:
Unstable gait of the toddler,
presence of objects on floor, lack of supervision, curiosity of the children,
etc.
Prevention:
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Keep floors free of toys and obstructions.
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Exercise close supervision when toddler learns to walk.
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Never leave babies unattended on raised surfaces.
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Check constantly floor surface for wear and tear.
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Keep floor dry.
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Always ensure bed-rail of the baby cot is raised when the baby is in the
cot.
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Always use a securely fitted safety harness in a pram, pushchair or highchair.
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Windows and doors must be locked to avoid misadventure by children.
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Avoid placing “step-stones” such as a chair next to a window.
- Take extra care to avoid side-turning
of a baby chair.
First Aid:
- Don’t panic. Call for help if
necessary.
- Check the level of consciousness
of the infant/child.
- Examine the child if airway is
clear (e.g. can talk, cry or not); if breathing is adequate and circulation
is normal (observe colour of the face, depth and rate of breathing).
- If breathing and circulation
are normal, check for any other injuries on the body.
- If bleeding occurs, ensure there
is no foreign body in the wound. Apply direct pressure to stop bleeding by
covering a clean gauze on it and add pressure on the gauze by your hand. Elevate
the injured limb.
- If deformity is seen on the injured
part, do not move it and call for help immediately.
CHOKING
Cause:
Accidental swallowing of foreign body, strangulation, covering of head by blankets,
accidental suffocation by pillow while baby sleeps in a prone position, near-drowning
etc.
Prevention:
- Choose toys appropriate to the
age of children. Avoid toys with detachable small parts.
- Ensure small objects are kept
out of reach of children.
- Pull cords on curtains and blinds
should be kept short and out of reach of children.
- Strings and plastic bags should
be kept out of reach of children.
- Foldable furniture should be
properly placed and locked. Instruct children not to play with them.
- Instruct children not to play
while eating.
- Never let children use milk bottle
by themselves without adult’s supervision.
- Never use pillow for baby under
one year of age. Do not use large and heavy blanket. Never let the blanket
cover the face of children during sleep.
- Avoid sleeping with baby on the
same bed.
- Never leave children alone in
a bath tub or basin filled with water.
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Bucket filled with water must
be covered and keep children away from it.
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Do not panic. Remove the cause from the patient.
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Call for help immediately.
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Perform CPR if necessary.
BURN/SCALD
Cause:
Scald by hot water, burn by fire,
touch on hot objects such as cooking utensils, etc.
Prevention:
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For adults, never hold a hot drink/food and a child at the same time.
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Ensure milk, congee or other foodstuff is at a reasonable temperature before
feeding.
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Ensure proper fence or door is installed at the entrance of kitchen. Such
must be closed at all times. Instruct children not to go into kitchen.
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While cooking, pay extra attention to the stove fire and the cooking utensil.
Turn the pan handle away from the front, and close to the wall.
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When running a bath for a child, always test water temperature beforehand.
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All hot objects including an iron or containers with hot matter must not
be placed near the margin of a table. Avoid using tablecloth. Matches and
lighters should be placed out of reach of children.
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Instruct children not to wander around when adults are preparing for a meal.
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Install proper cover to sockets.
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Warn children never play with fire.
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Do not panic. If necessary, call for help.
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Examine the child if airway is clear (e.g. can talk, cry or not); if breathing
is adequate and circulation is normal (observe colour of the face, depth
and rate of breathing).
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If breathing and circulation are normal, check for the burn or scald injures
on the body.
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Rinse the injury site with tap water for about 10 minutes. If the child
feels chilled, stop rinsing.
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Cover the injury site with a sterile gauze. Dress with bandages.
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Never apply toothpaste, soysauce or other ointments on the injured sites.
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Do not puncture any blister.
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Do not tear off any burned clothing that sticks on the injured site.
POISONING
Cause:
Food poisoning, accidental swallowing
of drugs, detergents, insecticides, etc.
Prevention:
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Keep medicines and chemicals out of sight and reach of children, preferably
in an isolated, locked cabinet.
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Always store chemicals in their original containers with appropriate labels.
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Never tell children drugs are “sweets” as this may give a wrong idea to
children.
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Ensure toys and dining utensils bought meet the international standard,
e.g. coloring materials being non-toxic.
- Do not panic. Call for help
immediately.
- Examine the child if the airway
is clear (e.g. can talk, cry or not); if breathing is adequate and circulation
is normal (observe colour of the face, depth and rate of breathing).
- Start CPR if necessary. Be cautious
not to contact any chemicals.
- If the child is unconscious but
the airway is clear, breathing & circulation are normal, place in a lateral
position.
- Bring along with any vomitus
and remains of drugs taken when seeking medical treatment.
CALLING FOR HELP
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If necessary, call for ambulance service at 999 or the Fire Services Communication
Centre at 27353355.
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Do not panic.
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Tell the call-taker how the injury happens and which part of the patient’s
body is injured.
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Tell the call-taker if the child is conscious.
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Clearly tell the call-taker the address where the accident happens, the
route leading to this address, and your contact telephone number.
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Do not hang up the phone until the call-taker had no further question. Do
not rush.
CONCLUSION
Accident could not be completely
avoided, but its occurrence could be prevented. To prevent accident to children,
adults should pay more attention to home safety. They should also clear any
hidden “hazards” at home and teach children about safety. If accidents happen,
stay calm and call for help immediately.
Information provided by the Fire Services Ambulance Command Training School
(4/2010)