CHILD SAFETY - Full extract 

It is surprising how many different answers are given when people are asked about the commonest cause of death in Australian children. Cancer, infections and asthma are often suggested but it is accidental injuries that claim more lives than anything else. Each year at least 500 children die from accidents of some sort. On a daily basis about 5000 children require medical attention and 200 are admitted to hospital. 

Many of the deaths occur on the roads. Drownings in backyard pools also feature, as do domestic fires and ingestion of poisons. It must also be kept in mind that for every death there are many other children who have sustained major injuries and permanent disabilities. 

There has to be a certain amount of risk-taking behaviour in growing up and that will always be the case. Helmets for bicycle-riding and rollerblading are common sense and will prevent many head injuries. Likewise, the correct gear for contact sports is essential. However, some accidents will still occur and may have to be be regarded as an accepted risk of certain sports. 

What is not acceptable is the notion that a certain number of children will continue to drown in unfenced backyard pools. Nor should it be an accepted risk that children will die by ingesting dishwashing fluid that happens to be under the sink, or by swallowing grandma's tablets that are on the bathroom bench. We should be able to reduce the number of these accidents occurring. 

As a community we should be continually reminding ourselves of the major problem of accidental injuries in children. Legislation about pool-fencing and childproof packaging are a good start but education has to be the main way of addressing the problem. 

The earlier this education process starts the better. Perhaps we should be introducing children to safety concepts from an early age, at kindergarten or earlier. Instruction about first-aid could also be gradually introduced. Some of this is covered already in various personal development curricula. However, it is alarming how many children go through school without any formal teaching in this regard. 

In the meantime there are many practical things we can all do to reduce the risk of accidental child injury... 

Health Tips:
* Be aware of the high-risk times of the day, especially around evening meal time. The kids are tired and hungry and it is easy to be distracted. 

* Extra care is required at times of increased stress; lapses of concentration are more likely. Watch those telephone rings or calls to the door when you have a toddler; accidents only take a few seconds. 

* Try to make your house toddler-proof. Have a good look around the house at toddler height. Check under the sink; special care is required with dishwashing powders, detergents and mothballs. 

* Have emergency numbers like the Ambulance and Poisons Information Centre by the phone. 

* Safety-switches and smoke-detectors should be a priority in every home. 

* Household medicines should be in a childproof lock-up medicine cabinet. Overdoses of medication like paracetamol and iron can be fatal. 

* Consider a first-aid course. If an accident does occur it is great if you know what to do while waiting for medical help to arrive.

Dr. Andrew Pattison: Common Consultations
North East Valley Division General Practice, Melbourne, Australia.   Disclaimer
  - Last modified: August 18, 2001