Domestic Accidents and Prevention
- Did you know that children can drown in less than 3cm of water? Hence why they should be under constant supervision when in or near any water.
- Did you know a hot drink can still scald the sensitive skin of a child 15 minutes after it has been made?
It seems that nowhere is safe in our homes as accidental injuries are the biggest cause of death or serious injury in children over the age of one. Every year over 1 million children, under the age of 15 years experience an accident in or around the home, which requires a visit to the Accident and Emergency department. These figures do not include those that are treated by Doctors and parents at home.
The largest numbers of accidents happen in the living/dining room, but the most serious ones occur in the kitchen and on the stairs. The children most at risk of having an accident of this sort at home are those in the age group of 0-4years, with boys being more likely to have an accident than the girls.
How to help prevent accidents
We can help to prevent accidents by child proofing our homes with stair gates and fire guards, which many of us see as an absolute must in a house with little ones as it allows them to explore in safety. Other items available include electrical outlet covers, drawer and cupboard catches – especially on drawers and cupboards containing dangerous items such as bleach, medicines and sharp knives, door catches to stop doors shutting on little fingers, corner cushions on tables to prevent bumped heads, cords from blinds and curtains tucked up out of reach and, possibly most important, a fire alarm.
Why do accidents still occur?
This is partially due to a child's naturally inquisitive nature. Young children are not always aware of their surroundings, due to a limited perception of their environment and due to lack of experience, development and not being fully aware of the consequences of the new situations they encounter. It can also be due to a child's excitement and need to have attention or down to showing off among peer groups (for example pushing, shoving and wrestling). These are things that they will encounter though out their lives.
However it isn’t always down to the children’s fault, sometimes we don’t see them as they sneak up behind us for a cuddle and some accidents happen simply due to poor supervision.
Prevention
We cannot wrap our children in cotton wool. We need to let them explore and learn the boundaries set out by their parents. Most accidents are only minor and all we can do as parents is pick them up when they fall and be there when they need us.
In case of more serious accidents, every home should have a first aid kit. First aid kits can be purchased, already made up, from pharmacies, supermarkets, and online, which include the most necessary items, but it’s always helpful to add a few extra bits, to make it tailored to suit you and your family’s needs.
In addition to a first aid kit, if you are allergic to something, or take regular medication, it might be worth while carrying an SOS talisman or simply a list of regular medication and allergies in your purse/wallet, with contact details and your personal details like date of birth, next of kin, etc.
A first aid kit should be kept out of reach of children. It would also be a good idea to store it in a kitchen cupboard as the law of averages says the one time you’ll need it someone would be using the bathroom. If you do use anything, it is good practice to make sure you replace it as soon as possible so you don’t end up missing something next time you need it. The same goes for replacing items that have expired past their use-by dates, check them every 6 months - spring and autumn are normally best, as you can then stock up on seasonal items such as hay fever or cold remedies.
What you should keep in your first aid kit
It is recommended a first aid kit contains the following:
- Sterile dressings, aka Menolin squares, or adhesive dressing/plasters – these can be used for cuts, scrapes and open wounds. (Keep at least 10 of various sizes)
- Bandages – crepe or conforming ones – these can be used to apply pressure on sprains and hold the Menolin squares in place. (There are at least 3 various sizes)
- Triangular bandages – used as slings or bandages if you run out and for supporting fractures– these come in one size. (Stock at least 3)
- Cotton face pads or gauze – wet with cooled boiled water, very useful for cleaning wounds, these are better than loose cotton wool as the fibres do not get stuck in the wound.
- Adhesive tape – micropore or elastoplast (due to allergies it might be handy to keep both in kit) - used to hold dressings/bandages in place, but has many other uses.
- Alcohol free wipes – small sachets of wipes - useful to clean wounds and cuts when out and about. Can also use to sterilise pins or tweezers before use.
- Gloves (latex-free if possible) – for use to prevent cross contamination and reduce infection.
- Ice pack – useful in kits and home fridges – a home must – reduces swelling/bruising. Place the one out of fridge (can use a bag of peas) in a cloth towel (or triangular bandage if out and about) and apply. If you want too you can buy sealed ones for your kits which when squeezed and shaken become cold and can be applied directly onto the skin.
- A medicine spoon – for administering children’s medication
- Scissors – to cut dressings/tape/clothing etc.
- Safety pins – useful for securing slings/bandages.
- Thermometer – for body temperature – It might be worth treating yourself to a tympanic one (in the ear), as they are quick, easy, non evasive, digital and it is over and done before most kids start to wiggle.
- Tweezers – removal of foreign bodies (e.g. splinters)
- Paracetamol (adult and infant suspension)
- Ibuprofen (adult and infant suspension)
- Antihistamine Cream – handy for bee/wasp stings, nettle stings and insect bites, allergic rashes.
- Vaseline (or something similar) – handy or sore dry skin and removal of rings from swollen digits and many more uses.
There are a few household items that can be put to use and are handy to always have in your cupboard. Cling film can be used for dressing burns that are blistering. Take a bit off and discard then apply liberally the clean fresh bit on the burn, this keeps the burn away from the air and assists with pain relief and helps reduce infection. Always seek medical advice and help after a serious burn.
This is just the basis of what could be in most first aid kits, it will of course vary on your family and your individual needs, and with it you should be ready to handle almost anything. It can be handy to carry a first aid kit in your car so that days out are event free. If you’re going out and about and the kit is for your car you might want to consider insect repellent, travel sickness tablets, a few nappy bags (these are good for rubbish bags) as a few extras for your kit
It is far better to be prepared and not need it, than be unprepared when things go wrong.
This members article was written by Zanynut
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