Protecting Children from Domestic Accidents: A Guide for Parents

Domestic accidents usually involve children. Their natural curiosity turns them into little explorers exposed to accidents at home. The best way to ensure their safety is to avoid their access to risky areas without supervision, such as kitchens or near windows. The youngest children are the ones who go to the emergency room the most. “One of the most frequent consultations is craniocerebral trauma due to accidental falls of babies. Poisoning occurs, above all, in children under seven years of age due to taking medications; cleaning products and cosmetics,” explains Sofía Mesa, emergency pediatrician at Hospital 12 de Octubre, in Madrid. “Other consultations have to do with medication dosage errors; due to accidents such as smoke inhalation in the event of fires and gas leaks,” says the pediatrician.

The map of domestic incidents of children is associated with their age. The little ones are more prone to accidents related to their limited mobility. “Children under six months usually have injuries resulting from falls from a height and rarely suffer choking and burns, unlike children up to 12 months old, who tend to be older,” explains Iván Carabaño, associate professor of Pediatrics at the Complutense University. from Madrid. From the age of three, children have greater autonomy and mobility, so the range of domestic risks expands. “The injuries that occur most frequently at that age are due to blows, falls, poisoning, choking, burns and drowning. However, between the ages of 7 and 12, bumps and falls are more associated with playing sports,” Carabaño clarifies. “When children are over 12 years old, the incidence of injuries changes and not only refers to involuntary injuries, but also to self-inflicted injuries and those derived from acts of violence, such as fights,” he adds.

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The basic things that children should not have access to for their safety are the potentially dangerous substances or tools that are at home: “Medicines and cleaning products, sharp kitchen materials, sharp tools or flammable substances,” he continues. Table. “Windows or balconies can cause fall accidents, so it is advisable to be careful with the arrangement of chairs, tables and other furniture in order to prevent children from leaning out and falling,” warns the doctor.

Guide for parents on the prevention of unintentional injuries in childhood prepared by the Spanish Pediatric Association.

The child’s natural curiosity that leads him to explore the world is not at odds with security at home. “It is essential for their development that they can know and experiment with their environment safely. Therefore, we must have optimal facilities; Keep them away from fire and very hot substances or from precarious electrical systems,” advises the pediatrician. Sofía Mesa lists several proposals to protect children in the domestic environment:

When a serious accident occurs at home with the child, a quick response is required so that he or she receives immediate medical attention. “You should call 112, where they will inform you of the steps to follow or, if necessary, indicate when to take you to a health center,” continues pediatrician Sofía Mesa, who mentions the Toxicological Information Service (SIT) that answers telephone queries from all over Spain 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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2023-12-16 09:03:34
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