An average of five toddlers visit the emergency departments in Fujairah hospitals each month with injuries caused by lax home safety, doctors said.
Top of the most common injuries to children aged four or less are burns caused by hot liquids, said Dr Abdullah Al Saed.
“Seventy per cent of the toddlers’ injuries are first and second-degree burns caused by hot liquids. Parents or maids leave hot liquids unattended and in the reach of the child, unaware that they could hurt themselves,” said Dr Al Saed, emergency doctor at GMC Hospital Fujairah.
“Head trauma comes next, along with swallowing hard objects like coins, small toys and jewellery.
“Parents should be fully aware of household hazards and should educate maids.”
According to annual statistics provided by Fujairah preventive medicine department, two children under five years of age died as a result of home accidents last year, compared with six the year before.
Dr Mahmoud Salam, a paediatrician in Fujairah, said that while children needed to experience and discover their surroundings, balanced supervision with safety precautions would help to prevent accidents and injuries, as well as allow children to explore.
“Parents can’t limit their kids’ exploring, but they can think ahead about what potentially dangerous situations will attract them.
“Last week, a mother with her three-year-old daughter visited me when the girl had swallowed one of her rings. When I examined her I noticed that she was still wearing jewellery and that her mother didn’t take any action to prevent this incident from happening again.
“Kids’ jewellery is a choking hazard. The girl was fine this time, but we can never know if she will be fine next time unless the mother takes serious precautions,” he added.
Nour Khalil, 26, a Jordanian resident, said parents should be more aware of what would put their children’s lives at risk.
“When my baby boy started to crawl and explore we were so excited, but after experiencing the first injury in which he fell from a high chair and suffered a head trauma, I started to read more about the potential hazards that would threaten his safety, indoors and out.”
Amne Saeed, an Emirati, called for child safety awareness campaigns at hospitals.
“Last week, I went with my sister to the hospital after my two-year-old niece ate a mothball. The doctor kept her a day for observation and, thank God, she was fine.
“Hospitals should provide awareness about this important topic to parents and childcare providers. Prevention should be part of their healthcare system,” said Ms Saeed, 29.
rhaza@thenational.ae