Smart Parent Safe Kids

“Accidents can happen to anyone anywhere,” says Dr Cheah Choong Wooi, consultant pediatrician from Columbia Asia Hospital – Bukit Rimau. “But when parents and caregivers are more mindful of the potential dangers in their home and surroundings, children are less likely to get hurt.”

Most accidents tend to happen at home because that is where parents and caregivers tend to let their guard down. Familiarity does not necessarily spell safety, as some parents find out (sometimes too late). Recent cases of deaths resulting from home accidents such as being crushed by a falling television or table, strangulation from curtain strings and choking from milk bottles are tell-tale signs that parents are not paying enough attention to child safety.

One of the most overlooked aspects is that child safety tends to be age-specific. “The most common home accidents happens to children aged between one to four, because a child below nine months does not have the fine motor skills to pick things up and put them into his mouth,” explains Dr Cheah

After the age of one, they would be inquisitive and active. This is when they would attempt to climb chairs and stairs, pull on dangling wires or taste everything they can get their hands on. Cases of scalding and falling are most common for children of this age group.

At three to five, they would be curious about their own bodies. Dr Cheah has had his fair share of treating bawling children who are brought in by ashen-faced parents for having stuffed things like paper, coins, small batteries or tudung pins into their ears or noses.

Sometimes parents would suspect their children of swallowing a foreign object and insist for an x-ray to confirm their suspicions. What they may not know is that only metal objects will show up in an x-ray. In these cases, the child will be referred to a gastroenterologist, who will conduct a scope and try to fish the object out.

The most common home accidents are actually falls, both on flat and raised ground. The level of injury would depend on the height of the fall. “Baby walkers are not encouraged because they are the most common cause of falls. Parents with babies aged 4-6 months who are just learning to turn over should also be careful about placing their babies on raised surfaces such as sofas and beds,” adds Dr Cheah.

What can parents or caregivers do when an accident happens? The first thing to do is not to panic, he advises. Calm the shocked child and perform the necessary first aid measures. “Recall what happened and document your first aid measures. The more specific your description, the easier it is for the doctor to recommend treatment,” says Dr Cheah.

So how can we make our homes safer for children? Unfortunately there are no set answers.

“You know your child best. For example, stair gates may be helpful for a one-year-old but for a ten-year-old, it can be more detrimental if it’s being used to climb. Research on what is appropriate for your child and take 30 minutes to go through your home to make those changes,’ he advises.