A child getting hurt is one of parents’ worst fears, but as much as you would want to avoid having your kid deal with an injury, these things can often happen. While getting hurt is part of any childhood experience, sometimes, accidents can lead to more than just a bump or a bruise and this is when knowing how to respond is critical. Being prepared for unpleasant scenarios will allow you to adopt the right means of precaution as well as act effectively in case of an accident. If you were wondering what the most common childhood injuries are and their causes, the following info might give you a general idea on the matter:
Playground injuries
Children are energetic, and this is a fact that all parents can agree on. Play is an essential thing for childhood development, and as safe as some of today’s public playgrounds and parks seem to be, accidents can still sometimes happen. Perhaps your kid is running around and trips over something on the ground and falls, they bump into another child on a slide or they simply fall from a swing, leading to an injury of some sort or a bruise, when your little one is playing in an outdoor setting, all sorts of incidents can happen. Despite you being as vigilant as possible, prevention in these cases isn’t always possible. When you are faced with such an issue, taking your kid to the doctor immediately is recommended, even if the injury doesn’t seem like a serious one. Also, you should know, that in case of personal injuries in public places, such as the playground is, you may also be entitled to a financial compensation. So if you go through a case of this sort, and are faced with medical expenses, look into the possibility of making a personal injury claim – a lawyer will tell you what you need to do on the matter.
Accidental poisoning
You will be surprised to discover just how many children are being brought into emergency rooms with poisoning. Children of small age in particular are highly curious and they are tempted to eat anything they get their hands on. You could be looking the other way for a single moment, and your little one might have already swallowed something they shouldn’t have. From shampoo to cleaning products and even perfume, poisoning cases have been triggered by the ingestion of all sorts of things. This is why you are recommended to install in your home child-friendly cabinets, and to make sure everything that your kid might try to eat isn’t at close reach. Medicines, cleaning chemicals, personal care items should be put somewhere out of reach and out of sight. You should also look into poisoning symptoms, and thus be able to recognize the problem on time, if such an incident presents itself at some point.
Medical negligence
Children are far more sensitive than adults, and this is why regular visits to the doctor’s office are needed. From getting a treatment for a common flu, to a regular check-up or some dental issues, there are various reasons why you might decide to make an appointment at a medical specialist. Well, considering the frequency of visits to medical clinics, there are cases in which health issues are triggered by medical negligence. Getting the wrong diagnosis, developing an infection due to poor clinic hygiene during a medical procedure or facing an injury that could have been prevented are examples of cases a surprising number of parents deal with. You should always choose your child’ doctors with precise care and attention, researching the reputation in advance and making sure the clink is well-equipped and sanitized before taking your kid there. However, if you do deal with a malpractice case, remember to contact medical negligence solicitors rapidly, and solve the situation by the book.
Burns
Burns are considered ones of the most commonly experienced injuries during childhood. The causes of burns can be multiple and happen in various circumstances. Sunburns from exposure to hot temperatures without proper protection, electrical shocks or burns from biting an electrical cord or inserting a finger or an object into an outlet, touching a hot container or surface, or getting a burn from hot water. As common as these are, burns can be easily prevented if you take a few precaution measures. Child-safe outlets should be installed, keep your water heaters at a low level, always supervise your kid in the kitchen, and make sure they don’t have access to the stove, microwave or other elements with hot surfaces, and also, always apply sunscreen during warm weather, and avoid taking your kid outside when the temperature is too high.
Choking or suffocation
Choking or suffocating is another problem that can appear, mainly among children of small age, for the same reason poisoning emergencies happen – children tend to put everything in their mouth. Swallowing a small object, perhaps a toy or a coin, running with food in their mouth, eating too fast or not chewing their food – these are common causes that lead to choking, and they can only be prevented with increased supervision from your part. You should make sure there are no chocking hazards around, and you should also learn basic first aid and CPR to handle a crisis correctly if the situation demands it.
As a first time mum, the entire parental experience can get overwhelming, and it’s natural for you to experience challenges from time to time, but if you are prepared and keep yourself informed, you will manage to overcome any negative experiences encountered along the way. You already know by now that kids tend to get into accidents quite often, and injuries are prone to happen at some point. While in some cases you should know how to prevent an unpleasant occurrence, in others, you should be aware of how to approach the entire situation best and deal with the injury accordingly. You may find the suggestions in this article helpful.
