Child Safety in the Home Blog Sept 11
Many thanks to Whoops! Child Safety for this blog. Check out their website for some great information sheets www.whoopschildsafety.co.uk/resources
Child Safety in the Home
We all like to think that our children are safe when they are at home, but statistically the home is the place where the under 5's are most at risk for accidental injury. There are about 500,000 under 5’s treated each year as the result of an accident in the home.
Not every accident can be prevented. Accidents are just that, accidents, unexpected events that can’t be planned for. But there are certain things that we can do that can help prevent accidents from happening, especially those with the most devastating consequences; those that lead to disability, disfigurement or ultimately, death.
Impact Injuries
These injuries typically include, trips and falls, falls down stairs, children bumping into things and things falling on top of them. Each year we would expect to see around 36,500 children under 5 attending A&E with an impact injury. Of these around 1,100 will be left with a permanent disability.
Top Tips:
Change babies on the floor wherever possible to avoid falls from high changers
Make sure floors are kept clear so you don’t trip when carrying baby
Make sure you use the harness on high chairs, buggies and prams
Use gates to keep the under 2’s away from stairs
Make sure heavy items such as flat screen TVs and book cases are secure and can’t fall
Heat Injuries
Every single day 10 children under five are treated for severe burns. This does not include all of the children who are treated for more minor burns or burns. Around 95% of all heat injuries to children occur within the home and the number one cause of heat injury in children are hot drink scalds.
Top Tips:
Never hold a baby or small child whilst drinking a hot drink
Never run the hot tap first when filling the bath
Keep children out of the kitchen whenever possible but definitely whilst cooking
Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children
Make sure that you have a working smoke alarm that is checked regularly
Inhalation and Ingestion Injuries
This type of injury includes poisoning, strangulation and suffocation and choking. Around 20 children every day are admitted to hospital because they are suspected of swallowing something poisonous, and approximately 13 children die each year from choking. Deaths from choking are rare but they do happen.
Top Tips:
Keep all poisons and medicines out of the reach and sight of children
Make sure the cords from blinds are cut short and kept tied up so there is no hanging loop
Make sure small toys and objects such as coins are kept out of reach
Good supervision whilst children are eating and giving food which has been cut small can prevent chokes
Never give children food to eat while they are in car seats. Imagine what you would do if your child was choking as you were driving down the motorway!
Never give children un-inflated balloons
With accidents prevention is always the best policy. By changing a few small things, keeping hot drinks away from children, making sure we check smoke alarms regularly, unplugging phone chargers, keeping chemicals and medicines out of reach and supervising children while they eat are just some of the things that we can do to prevent the worst kinds of accidents.
However if the worst does happen, knowing what to do is just as important. Being able to deal with an emergency quickly and effectively is vital.
First Aid Tips
Impact Injuries
If the accident is serious and you suspect broken bones or internal injuries try not to move the child and seek medical advice
If the skin is broken clean the wound with soap and water and dress the wound to keep it clean
Don’t give anything to eat or drink if you think the child may need an anaesthetic
In the event of a head injury seek medical advice
If the injury looks serious you may need to call an ambulance
Heat Injuries
Run burns under cold water for as long as possible to cool the area
Keep the burn clean with a non fluffy cloth or cling film
Leave any clothes that may have stuck to the skin where they are, do not try and remove them
A burn that covers an area that is bigger than the palm of the child’s hand needs medical attention
Never apply ointments, creams, butter or oil on a burn and never prick blisters
Inhalation and Ingestion Injuries
If a child stops breathing for whatever reason you will need to perform mouth to mouth resuscitation or even CPR. It is a good idea to attend a life saving course to learn this technique
If you suspect a child has swallowed something poisonous seek medical help immediately taking the container of the suspected poison with you
If the child is choking try to remove the blockage by delivering 5 sharp blows to the back between the shoulder blades. Never use a finger to ‘fish’ things out as you may push the obstruction further back.
Whoops! Child Safety Project works throughout the North East to actively reduce the incidence of accidental injuries to children.
There website offers excellent information factsheets on burns and scalds, child accident facts, choking, falls in the home, fire escape, home safety, poisoning, toy safety and water safety.
They can offer a range of training for organisations as well as home safety checks and equipment to families throughout the North East.
For more information about their services check out www.whoopschildsafety.co.uk or t: 0191 477 7366