Accidents at Home

Accidents happen at home in about 70%-80% of cases. The most common types of home accidents involve burns, falls, poisoning, electrocution and choking on foreign objects.

Falls
They can occur from beds, staircases, changing tables (even for infants as young as 3 months), high chairs, windows and balconies.

• Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
• When in a high chair, the child should always sit and wear the safety harness.
• Horizontal rails on balconies are very dangerous since a child can easily climb them and fall. Add a protective mesh!
• Don’t place chairs or small tables near windows. Children could climb them, open the window and fall.

Poisoning

• Store all medications in a locked, high cabinet out of your child’s reach.
• Do not keep medications in your handbag; a child might open it and put them in their mouth.
• Store cleaning products, bleach, and other chemicals out of reach.
• Never put gasoline, alcohol, or other caustic substances into soda bottles or any containers that might attract a child’s attention.

Choking on Foreign Objects
Common foreign objects include nuts, legumes, candy, small coins, bits of food or toys that can break into small pieces.
If you suspect choking (the child suddenly starts coughing without having been sick or shows signs of breathing difficulty), contact your paediatrician immediately.

• Do not put your hand in the child’s mouth.
• Place one hand on the chest and the other on the back, then deliver 5 sharp blows between the shoulder blades.
• Visit the doctor or nearest hospital immediately.

Preventing Burns

• Do not leave boxes of matches or lighters where children can find them.
• Burns can occur from hot liquids such as coffee, tea, soup or hot water. Do not place them near the edge of the table where children can reach or pull the tablecloth.
• When cooking, turn pot handles inward so that children can’t grab them and spill the contents.
• Do not leave a hot iron within reach when ironing; a child could touch it.
• Use a protective screen in front of the fireplace when it’s lit.

Electrocution
Young children may insert pins, hair clips or other metal objects into electrical outlets, resulting in electrocution.

• Make sure children do not touch outlets or electrical appliances with wet hands.
• Cover outlets with special safety covers available on the market.
• Do not leave electrical cords exposed.

Creating a safe environment for your child at home is the best way to prevent accidents that often and inevitably occur at these ages.

Katerina Katsibardi, MD, PhD
Paediatrician
Doctor of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
www.katsibardi.gr

Note: Regular paediatric check-ups are recommended. This article provides general information, and in any case, you should consult your paediatrician.