Nursery World - Damage limitation

Tips on child safety are provided in our latest series on child health by doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital Every day, 6,500 children end up in accident and emergency units and every year 25,000 under-fives are rushed to hospital after swallowing alien substances. Fortunately, the majority end up with only minor injuries, but some are far more serious. However, with simple precautions, many unintentional accidents can be avoided. Being aware of the different risks that children face at each age and stage of development can also help to keep the child's everyday environment as safe as possible.

Every day, 6,500 children end up in accident and emergency units and every year 25,000 under-fives are rushed to hospital after swallowing alien substances. Fortunately, the majority end up with only minor injuries, but some are far more serious. However, with simple precautions, many unintentional accidents can be avoided. Being aware of the different risks that children face at each age and stage of development can also help to keep the child's everyday environment as safe as possible.

Common causes of accidents

For children aged five and under, accidents indoors are extremely common.

Incidents of suspected poisoning peak among toddlers. Burns and scalds are another frequent source of accidental injury in young children, with 28,000 reported incidents each year. Most of these take place in the kitchen.

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