Child-safety DVD aims to prevent accidents
A new child-safety DVD will be made available nationwide to help prevent the loss of life among young children in accidents, it was confirmed today.
Every year 75 children die, 15,000 are admitted to hospital and 150,000 attend hospitals’ A&E departments as a result of accidents.
The National Child Safety DVD was developed after research revealed nine out of 10 childhood injuries can be prevented.
Brian Lenihan, Minister of State with responsibility for children, said: “I am committed to promoting the idea that children are our most precious resource, yet every year I am saddened to hear that unintentional injuries continue to result in hospital admissions, long-term disability and even death among our nation’s children.”
The DVD deals with safety issues in the home and in the wider community.
More than six in every 10 children aged under a year are injured by falls including from furniture, being dropped and tripping down stairs resulting in head injuries, fractures and bruising.
Falls account for only half of the injuries of those aged between three and four years. Over 10% of injuries in that age group are caused by poisonings.
The DVD, which will attempt to change attitudes and behaviours that can cause accidents, is aimed at children, parents, carers, teachers and other professionals.
The safety DVD will also be made available with subtitles in a number of languages to ensure it can be used by all communities.
There are specific sections on road safety, fire and falls prevention, water and farm safety as well as tips on child-proofing.
It contains key information on basic first aid and teaches children how to make emergency calls.
The DVD will be made widely available throughout the country through the Road Safety Authority and the Health Service Executive.
