Every year children are seriously hurt or killed unintentionally in events frequently described as “accidents”. Many of these accidental injuries and deaths are predictable yet also avoidable with better safety precautions.
Unintentional injuries account for approximately 96% of injury related hospital admissions for children up to the age of 14. They also account for 90% of deaths by injury of children aged 1 to 14. Below are some of the leading causes of child injury and some handy tips to prevent them.
1. Car Accidents
- Children that are not placed in restraints are up to five times more likely to be killed or injured
- Ensure you have proper child restraints and they are fitted and installed correctly
- Use the child restraints on every trip – no matter how long or short
2. Drowning
- A leading cause of child injury and death, the single biggest threat to children under the age of 5 – children can drown in 5cm (2 inches) of water
- Child proof fencing should be installed around swimming pools
- Children should be watched at all times when near water, not only in pools but also baths and other activities around water
- Teaching children to swim is a valuable life skill and can give them the tools they need to save their own lives if they do happen to fall into a pool when not being watched.
3. Poisoning 
- Household chemicals are often packaged in bright and unusual colours like the beverages targeted at children
- Pills and other medicines may look like lollies
- Never store chemicals near food as they can be confused by children
- Keep chemicals, medicines, household cleaning products etc out of sight and in a child-restraint cupboard or locked container or cupboard
- Common garden plants can produce colourful but poisonous fruit and berries that children will try to eat
4. Getting Hit By A Car
- Children take time to learn and develop a sense of the road and safety rules. Children under 8 are often most at risk
- Teach and reinforce safe behaviour on and around roads
- Provide places to play away from roads and traffic
- When around school buses and other vehicles, make sure children are aware drivers have limited field of view and often can’t see children if they are just in front or behind the vehicle
5. Fires
- Babies and children can easily be overcome by smoke
- Teach your child what to do in the event of a fire
- Have fire alarms installed and active – check batteries regularly, even weekly
6. Boiling Water
- Hot water can do significant damage and is a common cause of long term harm to children
- Keep hot drinks such as tea and coffee out of reach of children
- Always monitor pots and pans heating on the stove, turn handles away from the front of stoves where children can reach them
- Hot tap water can scald in seconds – turn down water heaters or talk to a plumber about installing a thermostat to control water temperature coming out of taps
7. Heavy Item Accidents
- A common cause of injury to children, particularly under the age of two
- Children can climb out of cots and fall from a reasonable height to the ground
- Poorly made furniture can have sharp corners, ragged edges, gaps where children can insert and pinch their fingers and so on. Look for sturdy furniture with the Australian Standards sticker
- Use a safety harness – these are sometimes provided with furniture for children or purchase one separately if it isn’t.
8. Dog Bites
- Children are taken to hospital every day with bites from dogs. The majority of the time, children are bitten by dogs that belong to family or friends
- Caution children about petting dogs that are unfamiliar and new to them
- Teach children how to safely approach dogs and introduce children to pets when visiting family and friends
9. Play Equipment and Toys
- Many injuries occur from falls off skateboards and bikes
- Always wear a helmet – they reduce the risk of brain injury by 90%
- Pads and other appropriate safety equipment can prevent scrapes and cuts
- Teach children how to stop and start safely
- Find safe places where they can practice and set limits for where they can ride or skate
10. Falls
- The largest cause of injury of kids
- Steps, stairs and balconies are dangerous and should have safety rails or guards installed
- Play equipment should have ‘soft’ fall material installed underneath.Children can be small enough to squeeze through balcony railings
- Babies and small children should be supervised when using baby furniture
Sources:
Kid Safe Tasmania – Top Ten Accidents
Top 10 Safety Tips for Preventing Accidents