this page is about Prevention of Accidents in Children at home and out. It includes preventive measures inside home in bathroom , kitchen......This page is also about kids and parents resource on health and safety and has many useful links .It is about diseases of children , parents, teens, women and men . It is also about prevention of illnesses and accidents, first aid , cpr and choking management.This page also give information and links on internet security, internet dangers and safe kids browsing.

          PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS AT HOME

This booklet will give you practical experience so you can prevent avoidable accidents in your home and act confidently in an emergency so you can nuture your child in a baby proofed enviornment .
We hope that your baby�s childhood is a time of wonder, joy & happiness for your entire family.
Injuries & Accidents at home are a common occurance which can become serious for a young child.It usually happens in Bathroom, Kitchen & with toys. It can lead to choking, drowning, burning & other injuries.
WE CAN PREVENT SOME OF THE MORE SERIOUS CHILDHOOD INJURIES SIMPLY BY BECOMING AWARE OF POTENTIAL DANGERS AND DOING ALL WE CAN DO TO REDUCE RISKS TO OUR CHILDREN.

(1) THE BATHROOM

The bathroom is one of the most dangerous room for children.NEVER LEAVE A CHILD ALONE AND UNSUPERVISED IN THE BATHROOM.
TOILET SEAT : It should be closed & locked to prevent drowning in children.
Keep ELETRICAL APPLIANCES UNPLUGGED. Keep them out of the reach of children .
Keep all bath products , cleansing products & medicines out of the child�s reach & in a locked cabinet.
Keep rubber mats in the bathroom to prevent slipping.
Don�t fill the tub more than a few inches because children have drowned in only a few inches of water.
Test the water temperature before your child gets in.
Cover hard protusions such as bath faucets with rubber cover or wash clothing to prevent bumbs.
Affix a doorknob cover for assurance that the kids can�t sneak into the bathroom unsupervised.

(2) THE KITCHEN

The kitchen is the most dangerous room for the children.

PREVENTION OF CHOKING :
Because of the foods that children can easily choke on : hot dogs,carrots, peanuts, hard candies and grapes & so they must be avoided or prepared with great care. Cut the hot dog properly in small pieces/ Don�t serve uncooked carrots / Give grapes after properly peeling off & cutting / Never ever give hard candies & peanuts to the child.

PREVENTION OF BURNS :
* Lower you hot water heater thermostat at less than120F (45c) .
* Never carry your baby in one arm & a hot drink in the other.It is safe to make 2 trips.
* Always know about your child whereabouts when you are carrying hot drinks, to aviod bumping in to them.
* Teaching children word �hot� & associating it with hot food items, stoves & other hot items goes a long way to prevent burns.
* Turn the pot-handles in towards the center of stove because handles sticking out over the side are an open invitation to the children.
* Never use a microwave oven to warm baby�s bottel or food in jars. The food inside become much hotter than the containers.
* Always test the liquid on your wrist before giving it to the baby.
* Always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
*UNPLUG THE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
*NEVER STORE HAZARDOUS Substances in unmarked or food contaniers.
*Keep detergants , plastic bags, knives , matches, cleaning products & toxic substances out of child�s reach.
*Install child proof locks on all cabinates :
One way to keep your child occupied in the kitchen, yet out of your way is to set aside one drawer just for toys & safe kitchen utensils for the child to play.

                                     DROWNING

DROWNING IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATHS IN CHILDREN Below 5 years . Two third of those children who drown are non-swimmers .Children usually get into trouble in pools, lakes, rivers and streams.
BUT THREAT IS JUST AS GREAT IN SMALLER COLLECTIONS OF WATER Such as BATHTUBS, DRAINS AND TOILET. ANY TODDLER WHILE PLAYING REACHES DOWN INTO THE TOILET TO RETRIEVE A TOY, IF HE FALLS IN IT�S MUCH HARDER FOR HIM TO GET OUT.

PREVENTIVE    MEASURE
CARE and supervision are a must when it comes to children and water. Following preventive steps can save the child from drowning WHILE SWIMMING :-

1. Learn to swim yourself.

2. Teach swimming only to child above 3yr.

3. Supervise That means eye ball your kids all the time. Don�t neglect it   even for a few seconds .

4. NEVER DRINK ALCOHOL While Supervising .

5. Keep a pole or life ring at pool side to toss to drowning swimmers.

6. Have a four feet high fence around the pool .

7. Never permit swimming in untested water unless you know how deep it is

8. Never leave a child alone or unsupervised in Bathroom.

        PREVENTION OF CHOKING

(1) Child Toys should be strudy, well built & with no detachable parts & are appropirate for your child�s age. Any toy or objects which is of less than 1� � length or diameter is sure to cause choking.

(2) Toy chest : It should have no lid or should have sliding doors or panels. It should have ventilation holes.

(3) Never ever give child (below 4yrs) uncooked carrots, peanuts, hard candies & grapes should be peeled & cut properly into small pieces.Child below 4yr has�t got grInding motIon to eat peanuts & carrots & so they can cause choking.

(4) Don�t use pacifiers or use one piece pacifier or strong enough not to come apart into small pieces. Pacifier gaurd should be large & firm & must have Ventilation holes. NEVER ATTACH PACIFIER TO A CORD OR A RIBBON.

(5) Shorten drape & blind cords or fasten them up out of the child reach & tuck appliance cord out of way.

(6) Keep coins, safety pins, buttons, buttoNs batteRIes, balloons & other small object out of reach of the child.

                         HEAD INJURIES
It is very important to recognise when a head injury may be serious.

SERIOUS   HEAD INJURY
Following danger signs call for prompt action & close observation.
* LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS.
* DIFFICULTY IN AROUSING.
* PERSISTANT VOMITTING (more than twice)
* ANY CONTINUOUS BLEEDING.
* PALE COLOR LASTING FOR >10 minutes.

Management of Serious Head Injury .
(i) If child is not breathing institute C.P.R. If neck injury is also suspected don�t move his head to tilting position.
(ii) If neck injury is also suspected ; then don�t move the child or move his body & neck as one unit.
(iii) Call the doctor or take the child to hospital immediately.

MILD HEAD INJURY
The child remains awake, alert, has good color, cries for less then 10 minutes & returns to play quite quickly.
* Apply direct pressure over the cut with a piece of gauze or cloth. Then clean the wound & cover it with bandage.

                WOUNDS & CUTS
Cuts & wounds lead to bleeding from vein or artery.
Apply direct pressure to stop the bledding .Apply a piece of gauze directly on the wound. Press hard. Keep the pressure for 10 minutes. If gauze become saturaed with blood & put another above it. Don�t remove the first gauze.
After 10 minutes, wrap a bandage around the wounded part & maintain pressure.
Keep the arm & leg (if involved) above the level of heart.
If foreign body such as glass, etc. is embedded in the wound & is protruding, Then Apply firm pressure on either side of the object & squeeze the wound edges together around it.Then put the pads on either side & build up pads untill they are high enough to bandage over the object without pressing it.THEN SEND THE CHILD TO HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY.

                                           POISONING
It may affect millions of children yearly. A lot of POISONING INCIDENTS CAN BE PREVENTED WITH PROPER PRECAUTIONS .

MANAGEMENT
(1) Immediately take your child away from poisonous substance. Keep the substance secured to show it to doctor.
(2) Check for following serious Symptoms
Severe throat pain, Excessive drowsiness, Breathing difficulty, Convulsion & Excessive drowsiness.
Immediately take the child & poisonous Substance to nearest hospital or doctor. DO NOT MAKE THE CHILD VOMIT. It is often ineffective, & may harm the child IN CHILDREN

                                                 Fire
Teaching a child what to do If his clothing ever cathes fire.
Stop, Drop and Roll
Running in panic increase the fire . So teach your child to stop running , drop to the ground immediately and roll over until the flames are extingushed. This method should be practiced until the child is throughly familiar with it
.
Preventive Measures
Do the following things to lessens the threat of fire. House fires are a major source of injuries, burns & smoke inhalation in children. It usually starts in early morning & grow unnoticed as the family sleeps. Injuries & death are usually from carbon monoxide poisoning rather than flames.

1. Keep all matches & lighters out of child's reach.

2. No smoking in the house . It not only affects child health but also in a source of fire.

3. Install smoke detectors in your house.

4. Check your gas, stoves, burner for any leakage.

5. Keep a metal screen in front of fire place.

6. If possible & available use flame retardation pajamas & clothings for children.

Planning a fire escape route
Plan it & practice it.
It should include every member of your family to practice it.

*Plan for two exits from every room.

*Everyone should leave the house immediately, and meet at a prearranged point accros the street.

*Instruct the children never to take the time to call the fire department from with in a buring buildIng, even if the fire is small one. Entire room can go up in flames in a matter of seconds. Once across the street you can safely call the firedepartment.

*Never--ever re-enter a burning building.

*Teach your child to stay low, under any smoke .It is smoke & not the flames which will cause suffocation.

*Teach your children to feel any closed doors before opening them. If door is not hot the child can crawl out of room. If door is hot then use alternate route.

*Assign an adult to round up infants & children under age 5.

                                            BURNS
Burns are second leading cause of accidental deaths in children. The three different degree of burns require different treatment.

FIRST DEGREE BURNS
It results from hot water & sunburns. The skin is red, their is mild swellIng & pain, but no blisters.
* TO TREAT IT :
Run cold water or submerge in cold water for 10-15 minutes. Don�t use ice, butter or ointments.

SECOND DEGREE BURNS
It is caused by deep sunbrns or scsding hot liquids, (contact more than 30 sec.) The skin is red or mottled with listers, a great deal of swelling, Significant pain and a weepy appearance.
* TO TREAT IT :
Immerse in cold water until pain subsides (for 10-15 minutes) If extensive burns , apply clean sheets that have been wrung in cold water. Do not break blisters or apply cream. Keep the arm & legs (If affected) elevated above heart.

THIRD DEGREE BURNS
It is caused by flame, ignited clothing & contact with hot objects. The skin appear white or charred.
TO TREAT IT :
Wrap the burnt area in a clean sheet & bring the child to emergency. Cut away clothing that is not sticking to burns area. Leave other part as such.



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