Submersion
Drowning is a significant cause of death and disability in children younger then 4 years and is the leading cause of death in this age group in several stated. For every death due to submersion , six children are hospitalized , and approximately 20% of hospitalized survivors suffer from severe neurological sequelae.
Parents should be aware of the dangers to children posed by any body of water. Young children and children with seizure disorders should never be left unattanded in bathtubs or near swimming pools , ponds , or beaches.
Drownings in swimming pools may be prevented if the pool is completely surrounded by a 5-foot fence with a self-closing , self-latching gate. The house cannot serve as a barrier to the pool if one of the house doors opens onto the pool area. Older children and adults who reside in homes with swimming pools should learn CPR , since prompt provision of BLS contributes to improved survival after submersion.
Children aged 5 years and older should know how to swim. No one should ever swim alone , and even supervised children should wear personal flotation devices when playing in rivers . streams , or lakes.
Alcohol appears to be a significant risk factor in adolescent drowning. Hence control of alcohol and the use of personal flotation deviced on waterways should be encouraged.
Burns
Approximately 80% fire and burn-related deaths results from house fires. Most fire-related deaths occur in privat residences , usually in homes without working smoke detectors. Smoke inhalation , scalds , and contact and electric burns are especially likely to affect children younger then 4 years. Socioeconomic factors such as overcrowding , single parent families , scarce financial resources , inadequate child care / supervision , and distance from a fire department contribute to increased risk for burn injury.
Smoke detectors are one of the most effective interventions for prevention of deaths from burns and smoke inhalation. When used correctly , they can reduce the potential for death and severe injury by nearly 90%. Parents should be aware of effectiveness of these devices and the need to change smoke detector batteries twice every year.
Continued improvements in flammability standards for furniture , bedding , and home builders materials should reduce the incidence of fire-related injuries and deaths. Child-resistant ignition products should also be explored. School-based fire-safety programs should be continued and avaluated.
Firearm Injuries
Firearms , particularly handguns , are responsible for an increasing number of unintentional pediatric injuries and an increasing number of pediatric homicides and suicides.
Annually more then 4500 children under 20 years of age die from firearm injuries , and thousands more are injured. Firearm homicide is the leading cause of death among African-American adolescents and young adults and the second leading cause of death in all adolescent males. The United States has the highest firearm related homicide rate among young males of any industrialized nation , more than four times that of any other country. The rising incidence of firearm injuries has paralleled the increased availability of handguns. More than 66% of all homes in United States contain firearms and at least one home in every two contains handguns.
34% of surveyed high school students report easy access to guns , and an increasing number of children are carrying guns to school. Most guns used in unintentional shootings are found in the home and are typically found loaded in readily accessible places.
The presence of a gun in the home has also been linked to an increased likelihood of adolescent suicide.
Reduction in the incidence of firearm injuries requires removal of guns from each child's environment. Every gun owner , potential gun purchaser , and parent must be made aware of the risks of firearms and the need to ensure that weapons are inaccessible to children.
Guns must be stored only in areas inaccessible to children. They should be stored unloaded , and ammunition should be stored in an area apart from the guns. The use of trigger locks should be encouraged and their efficacy determined. Owner liability laws and controlled distribution of handguns should be monitored for effectiveness.
If such laws are found to be effective , their extension should be considered.
References: Pediatric Advanced Life Support. American Heart Association / American Academy of
Pediatrics. 1994 ; 3-1 - 3-3. ISBN 0-87493-635-7
Paramedic Neomi Zvi - Jan 2000