Taking care of your children
Most accidents that put children in the emergency room during the summer and festive season are preventable, says leading paediatrician, Dr Iqbal Karbanee.
“Reducing the number of preventable accidents is therefore a healthcare priority that should be observed by all parents and caregivers, especially during the summer months,” says Karbanee.
Below Karbanee discusses how parents can keep their children safe
Shopping centres, amusement parks or even the beach are fun outings for families to enjoy. However, it can be easy for a parent to be separated from a child. Make sure you and your child have a plan should they become separated from you. Older children should be able to memorise your cell number.
Drownings can happen in a few centimetres of water. Never LEAVE a child unattended near water.
3 Dog bites are a major cause of preventable traumatic injury in children. Teach your children to not go near a dog that is off leash. If the dog runs up to the child or a family on the beach or elsewhere, children should not reach out to pat the dog, even if it looks cute.
Wood fires are common in South Africa during summer. They are dangerous to children if unattended, as children are naturally curious and may want to see what happens when they throw things in the fire. The smoke also poses a danger to young respiratory systems. Never leave children unsupervised with candles, paraffin burners or outdoor wood fires.
Playgrounds and parks are good to get kids to play outdoors, but be careful of hot slides and poorly maintained equipment that may have rusty nails or sharp hooks. Also remember to put sunscreen on your child.