World Health Day which falls on the 7th April is an annual event celebrated worldwide aimed at raising awareness about global health issues and promoting healthy living.
This year’s theme, “Health for All” highlights accessing quality healthcare as a fundamental human right of all irrespective of age, race, religion, and socio-economic status.
As a child health advocate, I want to use this day to address the critical issue of home safety for children in Ghana.
With an increasing number of home accidents resulting in injuries and even deaths, it is essential to raise awareness of the simple safety measures that can be taken to prevent these incidents.
A home accident is an event occurring inside the home or in the immediate vicinity of the home that results in an injury. Home safety for children is an important aspect of health and well-being, and it’s time parents and caregivers start paying more attention to it.
According to World Health Organization, 830,000 children die annually worldwide from home accidents. This is alarming because 2000 deaths from home accidents are recorded daily in the world.
Ghana has seen a rise in accidents and injuries in homes in recent years. According to the Ghana Health Service, about 8% of all reported accidents occur in homes, and this figure could be higher since not all accidents are reported to hospitals and health facilities.
These accidents can result in severe injuries or even death, making home safety a crucial issue that needs urgent attention.
Causes
The causes of home accidents in children are numerous and varied. The most common causes of home injuries, especially among children, are falls or trips from a height.
Drowning in swimming pools or open water bodies, Burns and scalds from hot liquids, electrocution from open naked wires left around the house, Ingestion of Poisonous substances such as strong detergents, corrosive substances, and medication, etc., cuts from sharp objects are also significant causes of home injuries.
Other significant cause of home accident is Choking, Suffocation, and Strangulation. An example is the use of age-inappropriate toys.
Prevention of home accidents
- Parents and Caregivers should be educated on home safety and the recommended first aid to be administered before rushing the child to the hospital. It is always important to consider a child’s age, cognitive abilities, kind of activities, and level of dependency when educating parents/caregivers on home safety.
- All detergents and poisons should be stored in a location where it is out of reach for children.
- In case a child swallows any poisons, DO NOT GIVE PALM OIL. Rush the child to the nearest clinic.
- Avoid storing corrosive and harmful substances in bottles meant for children’s drinks, juices, and milk. They easily associate it with their beverages.
- All coins should be safely kept in containers and out of reach.
- Do not forcefully feed a child to prevent choking.
- Give children age-appropriate toys during playtime.
- All liquid spillage on the floor should be mopped immediately to prevent falls and injuries.
- Avoid children playing in the kitchen whilst
- Leave no electrical wire bare and repair all faulty sockets and electronics to prevent electrocution.
- Do not leave hot drinks at the edge of the table since a child can pull them over to cause burns.
- All buckets and basins should be left empty when not in use.
- Do not leave children at the pool unattended to.
- Well, barrels and other water containers must be covered to prevent any drowning.
The good news is that most home accidents are preventable. By taking simple safety measures, we can significantly reduce the risk of accidents that affect children in our homes.
It is also essential to educate parents and caregivers on home safety measures. This can be done through community health education programs and public awareness campaigns.
In addition to reducing the risk of accidents, investing in home safety measures can also lead to cost savings in the long run.
Accidents in homes can result in expensive medical bills, lost income, and reduced productivity.
By preventing these accidents, we can save money and resources that can be invested in other areas of children’s health and development.
In conclusion, home safety is essential for children’s health and well-being in Ghana. Parents and caregivers should make a conscious commitment to prioritize home safety for children.
By taking these steps to ensure their homes are safe environments for their children to grow and thrive.
Together, we can work towards building a safer and healthier world for all children. To every amazing child in Ghana, Happy World Health Day!
Written by Maame Akosua Serwaa-Gyening. Email: masagg30@gmail.com
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