May 20, 2022
– Accidents at home are more frequent than one might imagine and are even the main cause of death in children.
Me, with 3 children and with differences of 3 years for each one, I mean, any object that the child finds at home, can become a very interesting toy!
All the cares are few, our mothers said and it's quite true, when it comes to caring for and protecting younger children who want to explore everything.
Most frequent types of accidents:
– Falls: Be careful with stairs, balconies, non-slip carpets, kitchen countertops and not least the choice of bedding. This should be made of grids and its fixation should be ensured.
– Choking/suffocation: Chewing gum, candies, buttons, corks, coins, bottle caps and toys with small parts. Also watch out for plastic bags, telephone wires and cushions.
– Intoxications: Medicines should be stored in well-closed boxes and in high places. Cleaning products should be kept out of the reach of children and you should never put detergents or toxic products (bleach, pesticides and insecticides) in used water/soda bottles. If these situations were not possible, place latches and padlocks on the cabinet doors.
– Burns: Be careful with hot liquids, do not leave pots on the stove without anyone around and make sure you turn off the stove burners when you finish cooking. Store matches and lighters in high places, turn fryer handles towards the stove, and be careful when using the pressure cooker. Never leave the iron on, as in addition to the high temperature, it is dangerous because it can be pulled by the child.
– Foreign body aspirations: Small objects or even small toy parts are attractive for children to put in their mouths and even put in their noses. This is part of normal child development and attention must be redoubled here.
– Drownings: Never leave your child alone near a swimming pool, beach, lakes, under any circumstances. Put armbands or vests on children who cannot swim and be aware of playing near and in the water.
– Shocks electrical: When children start to crawl, or even a little older, electrical sockets take on a special attraction that results in the temptation to stick their fingers and small objects in them. In order to avoid these situations, install protectors on all sockets in the house.
– Injuries: Beware of sharp or sharp objects, such as knives, scissors or screwdrivers. Always keep them out of the reach of children.
– Gas inhalation: Children think it's fun to play with the stove knobs, but the problem is that it can cause a gas leak, without the adult noticing. We suggest purchasing a stove with an active safety lock so there is no such temptation.
– Weapons: The ideal is not to keep guns at home, but if you have them, don't keep them loaded and keep the ammunition away from the gun. Always store weapons in a safe place, completely inaccessible to children.
Sometimes it only takes a few seconds of distraction for accidents to happen.
And because there are always other dangers…
Like any mother, I too went through an unfortunate experience with my middle son, Duarte, at age 4.
Late afternoon on a Saturday, a family moment made us look for an ice rink to try out. The track was 1 hour away from closing and almost empty, the scenery was perfect for us to have our first experience.
João, my husband, enters the track with Duarte and my eldest daughter, Ana Luísa, I stay with the youngest, Maria, outside.
Duarte, not complying with the size that allowed him to walk alone, had to sit in a mini chair with the body of a seal, with 4 wheels and being pushed by his father.
However, in one of the track's curves, Duarte falls and someone runs over the little finger of his right hand.
Nothing to do... after 5 hours in the operating room and 10 days in hospital, Duarte returns home with a healing plan of a few weeks and with the little finger missing the 1st phalanx.
Today, he is 11 years old, and he has learned to live with the small difference.
Moral of the story
The truth is that, in order to develop the notion of danger and dangerous behavior, children need to experiment. We must not limit ourselves to prohibiting, we must raise awareness, supervise and be vigilant...
Give your child freedom to play and explore, but be vigilant and attentive, especially during the earliest stages of their growth and development.
And don't beat yourself up too much if a small accident happens, even when the child is next to you. I was there, and I couldn't help it...
By: Ana / Carmen
