Child Accident Prevention Week

CAP Week Media Release

Education: Resources | CAP Week | Adult Education
(CAP Week 2001) | (CAP Week 2003)

NATIONAL CHILD ACCIDENT PREVENTION WEEK (CAPWEEK)
11-15 August 2003

National Child Accident Prevention Week will take place from 11 – 15 August 2003. The theme for the week is TEAM UP TO CHILD SAFETY- THINK CHILD SAFETY - ACT SAFELY.

Childhood injury in South Africa is an unrelenting public health problem of epidemic proportions. Each day more than 10 children under the age of fifteen years die of Motor Vehicle Accidents, Drowning, Poisoning, Burns, Violence and other physical hazards present in an environment created by adults. The latest National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (2001, Medical; Research Council) shows that among infants and children younger than 5 years, burns were the main cause of death. Among children aged 5 – 14 years pedestrian injuries claimed the most deaths.

Injuries destroy the health, lives and independence of thousands of children, yet prevention of injuries receives scant attention. At the Red Cross Children’s Hospital alone, more than 10 000 children were treated in one year for various injuries, including poisoning and drowning. More than 75% of accidents suffered by children occur in the home. This is exactly where children should feel safest and if they don’t, how then can they expect to face the world outside with any confidence.

From an economic perspective, childhood injuries presently imposes a far greater financial burden on the health system compared to other diseases, which have more successfully penetrated the national consciousness.

With National Child Accident Prevention Week the Child Accident Prevention Foundation (CAPFSA) and other roleplayers aim to raise awareness and promote action to reduce South Africa’s unacceptable high rate of childhood injuries and deaths. This health week is set aside to remind people that childhood injuries are preventable and that keeping children safe is not just due to “good luck”.

This year CAPFSA are once again highlighting the dangers that children face during play and at home from accidents that could have been prevented. This week assists health and other practitioners by providing them with resources to promote injury prevention messages.

In addition, the week aims to:
• Provide clear and accurate safety information to the public.
• Encourage local communities to take part in child safety activities.
• Encourage the media to provide positive coverage of child injury prevention and safety issues.

CHILD SAFETY MESSAGES
The following are just some of the safety messages that CAPFSA would like to emphasize during the Child Accident Prevention Week.

DROWNING
• It is estimated that more than one child drowns in South Africa every day. Most drownings occur in    rivers and dams followed by swimming pools.
• Always supervise small children near water even if they can swim.
• Swimming pools should be fenced or covered with a safety net.
• Never leave small children alone in the bath and always empty nappy buckets or close firmly with a    lid. Too many children have drowned in buckets filled with water.
• Children should learn to swim as soon as possible and also be taught water survival skills.

BURNS
• A burn takes a second to occur but a lifetime to heal. When children are seriously burnt they might    require multiply surgery over extended periods of time, and have to deal with the consequences of    possible disfigurement for a lifetime.
• The Red Cross Children’s Hospital annually treats an average of 900 children for burn injuries. The    majority of these ‘accidents’ could have been prevented.
• Most children burn with hot fluids such as water, oil, food, coffee and tea etc.
• Never handle small children and hot substances at the same time.
• Place paraffin appliances on a stable, safe, out of reach area.
• Always guard opens fires.
• Always put the cold water in the bath first and then add the hot water.
• Set your hot water cylinder to a safer temperature of 50 degrees Celsius.
• Keep pot handles pointing to the back of the stove.
• Keep electrical cords out of reach of small curious children.
• Teach children not to experiment with fire, matches or lighters.
• If your clothing catches fire, we need to Stop, Drop and Roll to put out the flames.
• In the event of a burn injury, cool the burn with cool water from the tap for 15 minutes.

POISONING
• Medication, paraffin or household cleaning substances that are stored within the child’s reach is the cause of most poisoning incidences.
• Children under the age of five years are particularly vulnerable to poisoning accidents. Caregivers    should therefore store dangerous substances out of reach in a locked cupboard or in child resistant containers if available.
• Always read labels and dosage instructions on medication.
• Always use a child resistant closure (safety cap) on your paraffin, petrol and turpentine containers.
• Never store poisonous substances with food.
• Know what to do in the event of an emergency and keep the number of the nearest poisons    information center next to the phone.

FALLS
• More than 40% of injuries treated at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital are due to falls. Fortunately a lot of these falls are minor events however some have been fatal. Most of these injuries can be prevented with a bit of forethought.
• Babies should never be left alone on any high surface such as a changing table or bed.
• Be aware of playground safety. Too many children are injured falling from playground equipment.
• Use safety gates on stairs.

The Child Accident Prevention Foundation asks you as parents, caregivers, and community members to join us in our efforts to prevent unnecessary childhood injuries and to help keep our children safe and happy. They are our greatest and most precious assets.

Remember prevention is better, easier and cheaper than cure. Families can do it together and……. keep children safe!

Free safety leaflets on the prevention of childhood accidents are available from our Foundation. Write to:

Tel: 021 6855208
Fax: 021 685 5331
E-mail:
Website: http://www.childsafe.org.za/


Home · About · Research · Safety Education · Safety Tips & Products · How You Can Help · Media · Newsletter · Links · Contact

You are here: Childsafe >> Education >> CAP Week 2003				Click here for a Site Map Child Safety Month 2008 - August 2008. more Ten Key facts about Child Injury (PDF) Click here First United Nations Global Road Safety Week 23 – 29 April 2007 (PDF) Click here Choosing a swimming teacher - a guide for parents Click Here First Aid for Burns: What to do. Graphically presented. Click here (PDF) Watch That Child! - Child safety is no accident. more Safety Tips (English) - Points to note around the house - graphically presented. click here Safety Chart (English) - Savlons Family Safety Chart - graphically presented. click here

CAP Week Media Release Education: Resources \| CAP Week \| Adult Education (CAP Week 2001) \| (CAP Week 2003) NATIONAL CHILD ACCIDENT PREVENTION WEEK (CAPWEEK) 11-15 August 2003 National Child Accident Prevention Week will take place from 11 – 15 August 2003. The theme for the week is TEAM UP TO CHILD SAFETY- THINK CHILD SAFETY - ACT SAFELY. Childhood injury in South Africa is an unrelenting public health problem of epidemic proportions. Each day more than 10 children under the age of fifteen years die of Motor Vehicle Accidents, Drowning, Poisoning, Burns, Violence and other physical hazards present in an environment created by adults. The latest National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (2001, Medical; Research Council) shows that among infants and children younger than 5 years, burns were the main cause of death. Among children aged 5 – 14 years pedestrian injuries claimed the most deaths. Injuries destroy the health, lives and independence of thousands of children, yet prevention of injuries receives scant attention. At the Red Cross Children’s Hospital alone, more than 10 000 children were treated in one year for various injuries, including poisoning and drowning. More than 75% of accidents suffered by children occur in the home. This is exactly where children should feel safest and if they don’t, how then can they expect to face the world outside with any confidence. From an economic perspective, childhood injuries presently imposes a far greater financial burden on the health system compared to other diseases, which have more successfully penetrated the national consciousness. With National Child Accident Prevention Week the Child Accident Prevention Foundation (CAPFSA) and other roleplayers aim to raise awareness and promote action to reduce South Africa’s unacceptable high rate of childhood injuries and deaths. This health week is set aside to remind people that childhood injuries are preventable and that keeping children safe is not just due to “good luck”. This year CAPFSA are once again highlighting the dangers that children face during play and at home from accidents that could have been prevented. This week assists health and other practitioners by providing them with resources to promote injury prevention messages. In addition, the week aims to: • Provide clear and accurate safety information to the public. • Encourage local communities to take part in child safety activities. • Encourage the media to provide positive coverage of child injury prevention and safety issues. CHILD SAFETY MESSAGES The following are just some of the safety messages that CAPFSA would like to emphasize during the Child Accident Prevention Week. DROWNING • It is estimated that more than one child drowns in South Africa every day. Most drownings occur in rivers and dams followed by swimming pools. • Always supervise small children near water even if they can swim. • Swimming pools should be fenced or covered with a safety net. • Never leave small children alone in the bath and always empty nappy buckets or close firmly with a lid. Too many children have drowned in buckets filled with water. • Children should learn to swim as soon as possible and also be taught water survival skills. BURNS • A burn takes a second to occur but a lifetime to heal. When children are seriously burnt they might require multiply surgery over extended periods of time, and have to deal with the consequences of possible disfigurement for a lifetime. • The Red Cross Children’s Hospital annually treats an average of 900 children for burn injuries. The majority of these ‘accidents’ could have been prevented. • Most children burn with hot fluids such as water, oil, food, coffee and tea etc. • Never handle small children and hot substances at the same time. • Place paraffin appliances on a stable, safe, out of reach area. • Always guard opens fires. • Always put the cold water in the bath first and then add the hot water. • Set your hot water cylinder to a safer temperature of 50 degrees Celsius. • Keep pot handles pointing to the back of the stove. • Keep electrical cords out of reach of small curious children. • Teach children not to experiment with fire, matches or lighters. • If your clothing catches fire, we need to Stop, Drop and Roll to put out the flames. • In the event of a burn injury, cool the burn with cool water from the tap for 15 minutes. POISONING • Medication, paraffin or household cleaning substances that are stored within the child’s reach is the cause of most poisoning incidences. • Children under the age of five years are particularly vulnerable to poisoning accidents. Caregivers should therefore store dangerous substances out of reach in a locked cupboard or in child resistant containers if available. • Always read labels and dosage instructions on medication. • Always use a child resistant closure (safety cap) on your paraffin, petrol and turpentine containers. • Never store poisonous substances with food. • Know what to do in the event of an emergency and keep the number of the nearest poisons information center next to the phone. FALLS • More than 40% of injuries treated at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital are due to falls. Fortunately a lot of these falls are minor events however some have been fatal. Most of these injuries can be prevented with a bit of forethought. • Babies should never be left alone on any high surface such as a changing table or bed. • Be aware of playground safety. Too many children are injured falling from playground equipment. • Use safety gates on stairs. The Child Accident Prevention Foundation asks you as parents, caregivers, and community members to join us in our efforts to prevent unnecessary childhood injuries and to help keep our children safe and happy. They are our greatest and most precious assets. Remember prevention is better, easier and cheaper than cure. Families can do it together and……. keep children safe! Free safety leaflets on the prevention of childhood accidents are available from our Foundation. Write to: CAPFSA P. O. Box 791 Rondebosch 7701, Tel: 021 6855208 Fax: 021 685 5331 E-mail: Website: http://www.childsafe.org.za/ For more information contact Nelmarie du Toit at CAPFSA tel 021 6855208 or 083 335 6479. Click here for our Cap Week info sheet.