Accra: Madam Gloria Ayambire, a Paediatric Nurse Specialist at the Upper East Regional Hospital, has urged parents and caregivers to take proactive measures to prevent home accidents involving children as schools prepare to close for vacation.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Ayambire emphasized the increased risk of injuries and accidental poisoning among children during the school vacation, which coincides with the farming and rainy seasons. Many children are likely to be left at home without adequate supervision during this period, leading to a higher likelihood of home accidents.
Madam Ayambire highlighted that the farming season poses additional risks, as households often store weedicides and other agrochemicals within easy reach of children. She warned that this could result in accidental chemical ingestion and advised parents to immediately seek medical attention for such incidents, bringing the chemical or its container to the health facility.
Falls are among the most common home accidents affecting children, often due to slippery floors and unsafe sleeping arrangements. Madam Ayambire recommended keeping floors clean and dry and advised that young children sleep on the ground to prevent falls from higher beds.
She also pointed out the potential long-term effects of head injuries resulting from falls, which might not be immediately apparent but could impact children's cognitive development and general health over time.
To further prevent avoidable injuries, Madam Ayambire advised keeping sharp objects, such as knives and needles, out of children's reach. She also cautioned against allowing children to watch violent movies, as exposure to such content could influence their behavior and curiosity about sharp objects.
In her appeal to parents, Madam Ayambire urged them to create safer home environments by restricting access to hazardous materials and monitoring the type of media their children consume to reduce preventable accidents.