HOME HEALTH GUIDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1942, Page 6

HOME HEALTH GUIDE

ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME. (By the Health Department). More children die from accidents in the home than from accidents in the street in New Zealand. That is rather an alarming statement to make, but it is borne out by figures. In 1940, for instance, 67 children under five years of age died accidental deaths. More than half of these—3s of them—died from accidents in and around the home. Swallowed objects that suffocated or punctured vital spots head the list, and the others comprise deaths from burns, poisons, gases, suffocation, falls and mishandling of machinery. The newspapers lately have reported a number of tragic deaths among children. These should be a sufficient warning to parents to take care. Watch particularly electric flexes and connections and fires. In the ward of one hospital at the moment are seven little toddlers, all suffering from burns sustained in the only safe place they know —their homes. Scissors with sharp points, sharp tools, knives, open safety pins should all be kept out of the reach of curious little fingers. Gas and electric equipment should be definitely kept out of bounds for the young hopeful and poisons should be kept in an inaccessible cupboard. You can’t avoid all mishaps, but they can be minimised by the use of a little common sense and thought. Some of these seven babies referred to above will be crippled for life and a constant reproach to someone’s carelessness. It is in the hands of parents to see that their children do not pay too heavy a penalty for natural childish inquisitiveness.