Introduction
One of the leading reasons for harm in young children throughout the UK are accidents that happen around the home. Most accidents are preventable with the proper care and attention to the home. There are around 2 million children each year under the age of 15 who end up at the emergency room with some type of injury resulting from an accident in the home. Around half a million of this children are under the age of 5 years old. There are even more children who have accidents at home who are treated at home by their parents.
Accidents are the leading cause of harm and even death in kids. People only consider accidents with motor vehicle accidents or mishaps from outside activities but accidents in the home are just as prevalent.
The Causes of Home Accidents
The most serious accidents that happen at home are caused by:
- Getting a burn or scald
- Falling from a height
- Drowning
- Poisoning
- Choking
- Suffocating
In most cases, these accidents are occurring during the summer time, on weekends and during holidays in which children are not in school. They are especially occurring in the late afternoon to early evening time frame. The chances of an accident happening are higher if:
- The caregiver is distracted
- There is no supervision
- There are changes to the routine of the child
- Everyone is in a hurry and doesn’t pay attention
- The child is at a home that is not familiar to them
Child Accident: What to do?
In most cases, you can treat your child’s accident at home. However, in the event that:
- The child is not breathing
- The child is struggling to breathe
- The breathing is fast, wheezy or simply not right
- There is a high temperature
- They cannot use a limb from the injury
- Poison has been swallowed
- Will not wake up or they are confused
- Have a seizure
Then you are going to want to call for immediate care. Whether you call the ambulance or take the child to the emergency department on your own.
Preventing Accidents
Keep in mind that minor accidents, such as bruises and bumps are going to occur. It is the nature of a child to explore their surroundings, and this is important to their learning and development. You can do some things, such as explaining dangers in the home, as well as monitoring children closely while playing to prevent accidents from happening. Never leave children unsupervised around dangerous applicances.
Related Video On Accidents In The Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JMn7gguZng