Prevention of Injuries Month, December 2011
Anita Nel*, a 35-year-old GEMS member from Port Elizabeth was recently cooking supper for her family when she noticed her five-year-old son had disappeared out of sight. She searched frantically for him and then realised that she had left the kitchen door open. She ran outside and was horrified to see her son, Mark, in the family's swimming pool.
Anita jumped into the pool and frantically pulled her child out. Mark was not breathing so Anita shouted to her husband to call an ambulance and started doing CPR on Mark. She had done a first aid course many years previously and tried to remember as best she could how to do it on a child. Fortunately, soon after Anita started the CPR Mark coughed up water and started breathing again. Anita heaved a sigh of relief. When the paramedic arrived he told the couple that Anita's actions had very likely saved their child's life.
As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) on-going effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to share real life member stories with you and explore certain important healthcare issues. This article looks at the subject of child safety this Prevention of Injuries Month, December 2011.
Injury is a major health issue in Africa with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that injuries will increase to rank as the second major contributor to deaths on the continent by 2020. It should also be noted that for every person killed by injury an estimated 30 times as many are hospitalised and 300 times as many are treated as outpatients for less serious injuries.
It has been found that in South Africa a high proportion of fatalities from injury are among children aged 14 years and younger. No fewer than 17% of all road pedestrian and passenger fatalities occur among children and young adults under the age of 20 years. It has also been estimated that as many as 20 children lose their lives through accidents in South Africa every day. Just how do we protect our children from harm?
The best way for parents to take care of their children is to educate themselves regarding child health and safety and then to take the necessary practical steps to provide an environment in which they will be safe.
It is of vital importance for children to be supervised by a responsible adult. Never leave your child with an adult who is unreliable and who is unlikely to keep a close watch on him or her. Adults who drink or who take drugs whilst caring for children are unlikely to be able to take proper care of them and you should not leave your kids with such individuals. If you leave your child at a crèche make sure that it has a good record and the staff are qualified to look after your child.
Childhood emergencies in South Africa usually involve road accidents, drownings, burns, electrocutions, accidental poisonings and animal bites. Many of these types of accidents can be avoided if parents supervise their children closely and make sure that dangerous households items and substances are kept out of reach. The electrical wiring in the home should always be correctly done by a qualified electrician.
Our roads are a major cause of injury and all South Africans should learn the rules of the road. Pedestrians should only walk where they are allowed to and cross the road where it is safe to do so. They should always check left and right for any oncoming traffic before crossing a road. The occupants in motor vehicles should always wear seat belts and young children should be strapped in a special safety chair on the back seat of a vehicle.
Tragically large numbers of South African children are also burned every year. Keep your children away from matches, fires, candles, paraffin lamps and hot oven plates and pots. Do not leave fires and candles burning when you go to sleep.
Children should also always be kept away from domestic and wild animals that are being familiar. Rabies can be found in animals in rural and even urban areas of South Africa. Take your child to a doctor if he or she is bitten by an animal.
Many people do not know what to do or who to call in the event of an emergency. It is therefore wise to have numbers of the South African Police Services, a medical emergency service and the local fire brigade at hand at all times. GEMS members should call 0800 44 4367 in the event of a medical emergency.
The following tips should help you to keep your children safe:
Anita is very grateful that she learnt how to do CPR and was able to assist her child when he most needed it. She now believes that all parents should do a first aid course or at least learn CPR. "You think accidents can't happen to you and your family but as my experience with my son showed me, they certainly can affect you, even when you think you are being careful," she points out. "I have recently completed another first aid course to update my skills as I know how important it is to be able to assist in an emergency situation."
For any GEMS member queries please phone the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or visit our website at www.gems.gov.za. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and wellbeing.
References
1. Crime, violence and injury prevention in South Africa: Data to action, Medical Research Council, UNISA Crime, Violence and Injury Lead Programme, 2008.
2. Arrive Alive, www.arrivealive.co.za.
*The member's name has been changed in order to protect her identity.
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