|
What is the most common childhood accident?.
A
According to the last accident
report survey completed by the consumer safety unit (2002) burns and scalds are
the most common child hood accidents.
The most commonly seen burns and scalds at Accident and Emergency
Departments are caused by hot drinks, sunburn and bath water scalds. Other causes
of burns and scalds are gas or open fires, cooker burns, irons, curling tongs,
hair straighteners, cigarettes, matches, cigarette lighters and many other hot
surfaces
To prevent this type of accident occurring we suggest the following:
- In general try to keep
young children out of the kitchen, the risks and hazards are too many.
- If you are drinking
a hot substance like coffee, always put your baby down in a safe place - Never
hold a hot drink and your baby at the same time.
- Try not to put a hot
drink on a surface that a child can get to and pull on themselves. Your Childs
skin is more sensitive than an adults and a drink can still burn a child even
after 15 minutes from it being made!
- Never leave children
alone in the bathroom unsupervised
- Using a cordless kettle
can prevent accidents
- When running a bath
turn the cold water on first to cool the base of the bath, and always test
the water temperature with your elbow before letting a child get into the
bath or shower.
- Use the rear cooker rings
and place the panhandles away from the front of the cooker. This is to prevent
children from pulling the hot food onto themselves.
- Always keep hot irons,
curling tongs and hair straighteners out of the reach of children. They still
can be hot when cooling down and keep the flexes tucked away
health visitor
back to faq's - Hygiene & Safety |
