DANGERS FACING CHILDREN

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26832, 10 September 1952, Page 2

DANGERS FACING CHILDREN

BURNS AND SCALDS IN HOMES

PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS “The Press” Special Service

AUCKLAND, September 9. Dangers that lurk for children, especially the very young, in their own homes were discussed at the opening session of the post-graduate course in pediatrics at the Auckland Hospital. Pediatricians from all parts of New Zealand, heard Dr. Helen Deem lecture on the prevention of burns and scalds.

Dr. Deem said that the number of children treated for burns and scalds in public hospitals in the four main centres in 1950 was 426. It was exceeded only by the number treated for fractures and lacerations. Of the children treated at the hospitals for burns, 73 per cent, were under three years of age. They had not been able to acquire heat sense. Of 111 cases of scalding attended at n tl !F hospitals, 29 per cent, had pulled hot watev jugs from tables or shelves. Most of the jugs were electric and the children had pulled the cords. Fifteen per cent, of the children had pulled teapots from tables, 8 per cent, had pulled hot vessels from stoves, 9 per cent, had hot water or tea spilt on them, and 16 per cent, had fallen into hot water in baths or buckets.

Of the children who were burned, £4 per cent, of the cases were caused by open fires. 19 per cent, by electric radiators, and 19 per cent, by corrosives, such as caustic soda. More than 19 Per cent, of the children burned or scalded spent more than six weeks in hospital. More than 69 per cent spent more than a week there.