PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS IN CHILDREN

Ms. Devangi Sharma NF.Y M.Sc(N)

CHILDREN ARE VULNERABLE TO INJURY

Natural curiosity Investigative, Impulsive, ImpatientLess careful,hyperactiveDrive to test on new master skillsAttempted activities before

developmental readinessSelf-assertion and challenges to rulesDesire for peer approval

DEFINATIONWHO defined…

An accident is an event, independent of human will caused by outside force acting rapidly and resulting in physical or mental injury.

Contd…

Accident is defined an unexpected , unplanned occurrence which may involve injury.

Unpremeditated event resulting in recognizable damage.

Occurrence in sequence of events which usually produces uninteded injury, death or property damage.

INJURYIt is an intentional/unintentional damage to body due to exposure to an external agent which can be thermal, mechanical, electrical, or chemical energy or agent.

CHILDREN ARE AT GREATER RISK Children live in a world built for adults: strong association

between injuries his age, developmental stage his interactions and activities with/in the world lack of supervision, access to protective materials

Simply reproducing injury strategies for adults may not be effective for children

World becomes dangerous for them: cleaning chemicals, outlets, ovens, sharp corners, kerosene lamps, bodies of water, traffic, etc.

CHILDHOOD ACCIDENTSLeading cause of death and disability in children and young adults

More than 5 million deaths per year worldwide

Lack of global attention to childhood injuries

Leading cause of death in children over 1 year

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

< 1 year 1 - 4 years > 5 years

SIDSCongenital anomalyInfectonNeoplasmsAccidents

INCIDENCE

TYPES OF ACCIDENTS

COMMON ACCIDENTAL INJURY AND ITS PREVENTION IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUP

INFANTS

Cuts

Falls

Burns

Suffocation Ingestion

PREVENTION

Never Keep Alone

Small Tiny Toys

Electrical Appliances

Avoid Solid

Food Items

Keep Away

Stove, fire etc.

Contd…Never leave an infant alone on cot/table/ any unprotected place to prevent fall.Never give very small things to child.Toys should not have removable small parts which can be aspirated or put into ear or nose.Never feed solids which are difficult to swallow /chew.

Contd…Coins .buttons. beads,marbles must not be left within child’s reach.Keep the stove or fire source and hot things far away from child.Electrical appliances should be kept out of reach.Never leave the infant near water tub or pond and never go out alone.

TODDLERS

Aspiratio

n

Thermal

Falling

Electrocutio

n Drowning

PREVENTIONAvoid

Negative Words

Supervise

Constant

ly

Harmfu

l Agents

Clothing

Floor

Contd…

Give proper directions for certain activity.Keep constant supervision.Keep harmful substances like hot things, drugs, poisons,kerosene oils. electrical appliances,sharp objects etc. out of child’s reach.Give adequate instructions to the care taker to look after the child and follow proper precautions. provide safe playmaterials.Floor should not be slippery.

Furniture should be placed firmly to prevent falls.

Child should not be allowed to play with cord, plastic bags or pillow to avoid suffocation.

Electric switch shoul be out of child’s reach.

Contd…

ADOLOSCEN

T Sport Injury

Instrument Injury

Road Traffic Accident

Electric current

PREVENTION

Constant Supervisi

on Guidance

Training

Safe

Environm

ent

Education

Contd…Teach for safety precautions with fire,electricity,sharp materials etc.Teach the child for swimming.Encourage the playing in safe places to and keep a keen supervision.Discourage the children flying kite from open roofs and terrace.Teach the child for the road safety and zebra crossing and traffic rules.Never leave the child alone in a car with the ‘keys’.

NURSES ROLE

Time

Fore Thought

Discipline

Forethought –The anticipation of possible risk of accidents to the child.

Time- Sufficient time should be given on the child to keep a keen supervision.Discipline- Should be maintained at home to prevent accidental hazards.

Three main things should be followed are:

:

Health EducationProvision of safe enviormentSafe child care and prevent the accidental hazards Assist in medical care to prevent the disabilityTake public health measures to prevent road traffic accidents: teach traffic rules,implement policies etc.Participate in policy making nd research activities in accident prevention.

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES

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THANK YOU