Where oh where can our children be safe?

Looking at statistics and media reports, you can only wonder just how does one keep children safe and out of harm's way?

Here are a few sobering statistics that we trust will drive the message home that children can come to harm anywhere and at any time:

• In South Africa, more than 10 children die every day from motor vehicle accidents, drowning, poisoning, burns and violence.
• Sadly, more than 65% of these accidents occur in and around the home.
• Add to this the fact that 20% of the children treated at the Red Cross Children's Hospital's Trauma Unit are injured at school ... and one has to wonder where on earth can our children be safe?

Our children are our future and because they are among the most vulnerable members of our society, they rely on us as adults to keep them safe, happy and healthy as they grow up doing the things that children do ...

Because children are our future and our greatest gift, they deserve nothing less than our love and care. National Children's Day on 6 November 2010 seeks to promote a culture of caring and respect for the rights of children and to ensure that children are raised in an environment that is safe from violence, abuse and neglect.

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to provide you with some information on National Children's Day and some tips on how you can take better care of the health and welfare of your children.

Section 28 of South Africa's Constitution protects the rights of children. The Government has also put in place a number of measures, including a department that specifically takes care of the issues of children as well as those affecting women and people with disabilities.

Just how do parents ensure that their children remain safe and healthy at all times?

• Educate yourself

The best way for parents to protect 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 the young ones can thrive.

• Supervise your children

Children, especially very young ones, have not yet been able to establish what is dangerous to them and what is not. They are also very curious and are quick to wonder off to explore their environment. It is therefore vital that they are always closely 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 them. Adults who drink or who take drugs while caring for children are unlikely to be able to take proper care of them and you should not leave your children in their care. If you leave your child at a crèche, make sure that it is fully registered, has an impeccable safety record and that the staff are fully qualified to look after your child.

• Keeping them out of harm's way

It has been estimated that as many as 20 children lose their lives through accidents in South Africa every day. Tragically, many such accidents could be avoided if parents paid closer attention to their children and made sure that they do not get in harm's way. It can take just a matter of seconds for a child to wonder onto a road or fall into a swimming pool and drown.

Emergency services providers suggest that all parents should learn first aid, or at least child CPR or "mouth-to-mouth" - as it is sometimes commonly referred to. CPR supplies oxygen to a person's brain when they have stopped breathing and can be a lifesaver in an emergency.

Frequent childhood trauma incidents that emergency services providers commonly respond to are road accidents, drownings, burns, electrocutions, poisonings and animal bites.

• Keeping our children safe on our roads

During the National Traffic Safety Summit hosted in Johannesburg during October, Mr Sibusiso Ndebele, Minister of Transport, referred to road accidents as having reached "unprecedented epidemic proportions in the country". He referred to the tragic mini-bus accident on 25 August 2010 during which 10 children were killed in Blackheath, near Cape Town, stating: "In developed countries, the death of 10 people in a single incident is a national tragedy.  When those who are killed are children, it is that much more painful."

He added that Road Safety was no longer just a national concern but that it had seized the attention of the entire world - so much so that the United Nations had proclaimed 2011 to 2020 as the United Nations "Decade of Action for Road Safety". The goal of this programme is to first stabilise and then reduce the global forecast levels of road traffic fatalities world-wide by rolling out focused programmes in every country.

• Dangers in the home

One of the most dangerous places is the home and parents should make sure that it is as safe as possible for children. Put all hazardous chemicals, cleaners and medicines out of the reach of children. Do the same with sharp objects, such as knives and scissors.

Many homes have not been properly wired by an electrician and have dangerous electrical cabling lying around. Fires can be started and children can easily be electrocuted by sloppy electrical wiring. Do not attempt to do major electrical wiring yourself but rather get an electrician to wire your home properly. This may be expensive but is there any price too high for the safety of your family?

Parents should be particularly aware of water as there are many child drownings or near drownings every year. Children can drown in just a few centimetres of water, therefore it would be prudent to keep them away from buckets of water, toilets or fishponds. Swimming pools and fishponds should be fenced and the gates should have childproof locks so that children cannot fall in and drown. Do not let your children swim in rivers, dams or swimming pools without the supervision of an adult who can swim well.
Large numbers of children are also burnt 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.

• Animals

Children should always be kept away from strange 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.

• Emergency numbers

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 on hand at all times.

• Keeping your child safe

The following tips should help you to keep your children safe:

• Make sure that a responsible adult keeps a close watch over your children. Generally the younger the child, the more closely supervised they need to be.
• Only leave your children with reliable childminders.
• Get your child to a doctor if he or she falls ill. Do not leave an illness for a long time in the hope that it will go away as it could be a dangerous illness.
• When travelling in a motor vehicle ensure that your baby is secured in a safety seat in the back of the car. Be sure to pay attention to the road at all times.
• Children can only learn how to cross a road safely at around the age of eight. Please therefore ensure that they are supervised until then and teach them the rules of crossing a road safely.
• Keep emergency numbers close at hand so you know who to call in the event of an emergency.
• Learn first aid or at least child CPR. This could help you to save a life in the event of an emergency.
• Make sure your home is safe for children as much as possible. For example, make sure that your home's electrics are properly wired and that all hazardous substances are out of the reach of children.
•  Teach your child to swim at as young an age as possible.

A gift
Children are gifts to us as parents and to our society. We should therefore do everything in our power to ensure that they stay happy, healthy and safe. Keeping a close watch on your children and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency will go some way to help you keep society's precious gifts protected. 

For any GEMS member queries, please contact 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. ‘National Children's Day', South African Government Information, www.info.gov/events/national/childrensday.htm
2. Health24 - First Aid, Safety First - www.helath24.com/medical/Condition-centres/792-792-2557-2579.asp
3. www.polity.org.za/article/sa-ndebele-address-by-the-minister-national-traffic-safety-summit-Johannesburg-10092010-2010-09-10
4. ‘Safeguard our children - our hope for the future', Netcare, http://www.hivcare.netcare.co.za/live/content.php?cookie=k&Item_ID=5466