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Challenge June 2004 - Last updated 180604

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Challenge > Healthy Body, Active Mind > Some Pointers to Prevent Injuries to Your Child

Some pointers to prevent injuries to your child

Injuries pose the greatest risk to young children under the age of
five. All parents believe they are doing everything to protect their children against harm. Despite
their best intentions, however,
young children continue to be involved in serious or even
fatal injuries.

We often read reports of children who die as a result of drowning in a condominium’s swimming pool, falling off a corridor ledge of a high-rise flat, or being run over by a car while cycling home after lessons. To prevent injuries to your child, here are some pointers to bear in mind.

Prevent falls

•	Do not leave babies alone on tables, sofas or beds. They may roll over and fall off.
•	Do not have highly polished floors. Toddlers may slip and fall. Do not let your child walk or run about while wearing socks.
•	Wipe away any spilled liquids on the floor immediately.
•	Sturdy window grilles should be properly installed in all high-rise flats. Keep the grilles locked and put the keys out of reach of your child.
•	Children should not be allowed to play along the corridors of a high-rise flat.
•	Avoid using sarong cradles. Babies have fallen out of them and have been seriously hurt.

Prevent suffocation
Do not use a soft pillow or bolster.
Your baby may bury its head in it
and suffocate.

Children must not be allowed to play with plastic bags. They may suffocate if they cover their heads with them.

Make sure your baby’s crib does not have slats that are spaced wide apart. Your baby may put its head through, get stuck and suffocate.

Your baby should not sleep with adults in their bed. The adults may roll onto your baby while asleep, and cause it to suffocate.

Prevent choking
Be careful to ensure that food does not contain fish or chicken bones. These can get stuck in the air passage and cause choking. Fish balls should be cut into smaller pieces and not given whole.

Do not feed babies when they are crying or lying flat. They can choke on their food if fed this way.

Prevent drowning
Do not leave your child alone in the bathroom or basin even for a moment. Take your child along with you if you need to answer the door or telephone.

Keep pails or jars in your bathroom covered or turned over when not in use. Curious children may climb into jars or pails, resulting in injury or even drowning.

Children should only swim in proper swimming pools with a qualified lifeguard present.

Your children depend on you for their safety. Teach them to observe safety tips to avoid becoming the subject of another heart-wrenching news report. Learn basic life support techniques for handling choking and other emergencies as they can save a child’s life.

1800-223-1313
(for personal health advice during office hours)

1800-848-1313
(for 24-hour pre-recorded health information)

Website
http://www.hpb.gov.sg