This document discusses factors that can predispose infants to accidents and provides guidance on preventing common accident types in infants such as drowning, burns, poisoning, and suffocation. It emphasizes the importance of constant supervision for infants, using proper car seats, securing medications and chemicals, ensuring water safety, and taking precautions around heat sources. First aid procedures are also outlined for responding to accidents.

1. INFANT SAFETY AND
PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS

2. PREDISPOSING FACTOR
1. SMALL STATURE
2. INQUISITIVENESS
3. BRAVADO AND HORSEPLAY
4. STRESS
5. INEXPERIENCE
6. INADEQUATE SUPERVISION

3. PREDISPOSING FACTOR
1. SMALL STATURE - THIS MAY PREVENT A CHILD FROM SEEING
ABOVE AN OBSTRUCTION OR BEING SEEN BY AN ADULT.
2. INQUISITIVENESS - CURIOSITY AND A SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE MAY
LEAD A CHILD INTO DANGER.
3. BRAVADO AND HORSEPLAY - BOYS ARE PARTICULARLY PRONE TO
SHOWING OFF AND OVER REACHING THEIR ABILITIES, ESPECIALLY
AMONG FRIENDS. MANY ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED BY HORSEPLAY
INVOLVING PUSHING, SHOVING AND WRESTLING.
4. STRESS - TENSIONS AT HOME AND EMOTIONAL UPSETS CAUSED
BY TEMPER, JEALOUSY AND OVER EXCITEMENT MAY CAUSE A CHILD
TO RUN BLINDLY INTO DANGER. SUCH ACTION MAY EVEN BE
DELIBERATE TO SEEK ATTENTION.

4. PREDISPOSING FACTOR
5. INEXPERIENCE -A CHILD’S INTERPRETATION OF A SITUATION MAY
BE INACCURATE AND ADULTS LOOKING AFTER SMALL CHILDREN
SHOULD BE AWARE NOT TO EXPECT TOO MUCH OF THEM.
6. INADEQUATE SUPERVISION - CHILDREN NEED CONSTANT
SUPERVISION. MEDICINES, PILLS AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES SHOULD
BE LOCKED AWAY AND FIRES AND STAIRS SHOULD BE GUARDED.

5. COMMON ACCIDENT INJURY
1. ACCIDENTS
2. DROWNING
3. BURNS AND SCALD
4. POISONING
5. SUFFOCATING AND CHOKING

6. ACCIDENTS
 CAR SAFETY
 GLASS RELATED ACCIDENTS
 PLAYPENS
 HIGH CHAIR
 STROLLERS
 WALKERS
 CRIB SAFETY
FIRST AID FOR ACCIDENT

7.  EVERYONE IN THE CAR SHOULD BE PROPERLY BUCKLED UP
EVERY TIME.
 NEVER HOLD YOUR BABY IN YOUR LAP WHILE RIDING IN A CAR,
EVEN FOR A SHORT RIDE.
 CHILDREN TO RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT, IF AVAILABLE IN A CHILD
RESTRAINT DEVICE UNTIL THEY ARE AT LEAST 8 YEARS OLD OR
WEIGH 80 POUNDS.
 READ ALL CAR SEAT INSTRUCTIONS, AND CHECK THE OWNER’S
MANUAL OF YOUR CAR BEFORE INSTALLING THE CAR SEAT INTO
THE CAR.
 ALWAYS USE THE CORRECT CAR SEAT FOR THE AGE, WEIGHT
AND HEIGHT OF CHILD. A CAR SEAT WITH A 3 OR 5 POINT HARNESS
IS RECOMMENDED BY SAFETY EXPERTS. (5 POINT HARNESS IS
SAFEST.) DO NOT USE INFANT CARRIERS, TRAVEL BEDS,
BACKPACKS CARRIERS,ETC. IN PLACE OF A CAR SEAT.
CAR SAFETY

8.  CAR SEATS THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH SHOULD
NOT BE USED. EVEN IF THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE, THE PLASTIC
SHELL MAY BE WEAKENED.
 INFANTS LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND LESS THAN 20 POUNDS
MUST BE PLACED IN A REARFACING CAR SEAT. MOST INFANT
CARRIER STYLE CAR SEATS CAN ONLY BE USED UNTIL 20 POUNDS.
AFTER THAT, USE A CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT STILL REAR FACING.
 THE REAR FACING CAR SEAT SHOULD BE IN A SEMI-RECLINING
POSITION AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE.
 NEVER PLACE AN INFANT IN THE FRONT SEAT WITH A
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE BACK SEAT IS ALWAYS THE SAFEST
PLACE FOR YOUR INFANT OR CHILD. IN FACT, CHILDREN 12 YEARS
OLD AND YOUNGER ARE SAFEST IN THE BACKSEAT
CAR SAFETY

9.  ON WARM OR HOT DAYS, CHECK THE METAL PARTS OF THE CAR
SEAT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT TOO HOT. YOU MAY WISH TO
COVER A CAR SEAT THAT IS LEFT IN THE CAR WITH A TOWEL WHEN
NOT IN USE.
 ON WARM OR HOT DAYS, CHECK THE METAL PARTS OF THE CAR
SEAT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT TOO HOT. YOU MAY WISH TO
COVER A CAR SEAT THAT IS LEFT IN THE CAR WITH A TOWEL WHEN
NOT IN USE.
 THE BABY’S BUTTOCKS AND BACK SHOULD BE FLAT AGAINST
THE BACK OF THE SEAT.
 NEVER LEAVE A CHILD ALONE IN A VEHICLE, NOT EVEN FOR A
MINUTE. A CHILD 6 YEARS OLD OR LESS MAY NOT BE LEFT ALONE IN
A VEHICLE IF THE HEALTH OR SAFETY OF THE CHILD IS AT RISK, THE
ENGINE IS RUNNING, OR THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION (UNLESS
SUPERVISED BY SOMEONE AT LEAST AGE 12).
CAR SAFETY

10. 1. DON’T PANIC. CALL FOR HELP IF NECESSARY.
2. CHECK THE LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE INFANT/CHILD.
3. EXAMINE THE CHILD IF AIRWAY IS CLEAR (E.G. CAN TALK, CRY OR
NOT); IF BREATHING IS ADEQUATE AND CIRCULATION IS NORMAL
(OBSERVE COLOUR OF THE FACE, DEPTH AND RATE OF
BREATHING).
4. IF BREATHING AND CIRCULATION ARE NORMAL, CHECK FOR ANY
OTHER INJURIES ON THE BODY.
5. IF BLEEDING OCCURS, ENSURE THERE IS NO FOREIGN BODY IN
THE WOUND. APPLY DIRECT PRESSURE TO STOP BLEEDING BY
COVERING A CLEAN GAUZE ON IT AND ADD PRESSURE ON THE
GAUZE BY HAND. ELEVATE THE INJURED LIMB.
6. IF DEFORMITY IS SEEN ON THE INJURED PART, DO NOT MOVE IT
AND CALL FOR HELP IMMEDIATELY.
FIRST AID FOR ACCIDENT

11. DROWNING
 CHILDREN CAN DROWN IN A BATHTUB, TOILET BOWL OR PAIL OF
WATER
 WHEN BATHING BABY, PLAN AHEAD TO AVOID INTERRUPTIONS
 NEVER LEAVE A YOUNG CHILD UNATTENDED IN THE TUB. IF YOU
MUST LEAVE, TAKE YOUR CHILD WITH YOU.
 NEVER LEAVE A YOUNG CHILD ALONE OUTDOORS, ESPECIALLY
IF THERE IS A POOL, SPA,
 POND OR EVEN A BUCKET OF WATER
 BUCKET FILLED WITH WATER MUST BE COVERED AND KEEP
CHILDREN AWAY FROM IT.

12. BURNS AND SCALD
 DO NOT SMOKE OR DRINK HOT LIQUIDS (SUCH AS COFFEE)
NEAR TO OR WHILE CARRYING YOUR BABY.
 ENSURE MILK, CONGEE OR OTHER FOODSTUFF IS AT A
REASONABLE TEMPERATURE BEFORE FEEDING.
 ENSURE PROPER FENCE OR DOOR IS INSTALLED AT THE
ENTRANCE OF KITCHEN. SUCH MUST BE CLOSED AT ALL TIMES.
INSTRUCT CHILDREN NOT TO GO INTO KITCHEN.
 WHILE COOKING, PAY EXTRA ATTENTION TO THE STOVE FIRE
AND THE COOKING UTENSIL. TURN THE PAN HANDLE AWAY FROM
THE FRONT, AND CLOSE TO THE WALL.
 WHEN RUNNING A BATH FOR A CHILD, ALWAYS TEST WATER
TEMPERATURE BEFOREHAND.
 ALL HOT OBJECTS INCLUDING AN IRON OR CONTAINERS WITH
HOT MATTER MUST NOT BE PLACED NEAR THE MARGIN OF A TABLE.
AVOID USING TABLECLOTH.

13.  INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS IN YOUR HOME.
 PROTECT BABY FROM DIRECT SUN, AND KEEP BABY INDOORS.
DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY. COVER YOUR BABY’S
BODY WITH A LIGHT BLANKET AND/OR LONG SLEEVES AND PANTS.
AFTER YOUR BABY IS 6 MONTHS OLD USE A SUNSCREEN MADE FOR
BABIES WHEN TAKING BABY ON OUTINGS. ALWAYS HAVE BABY
WEAR A HAT AS WELL
 KEEP ELECTRICAL CORDS OUT OF BABY’S REACH.
 USE SAFETY CAPS ON ELECTRICAL SOCKETS.
 WHEN COOKING, TURN POT HANDLES AWAY FROM THE FRONT
OF THE STOVE.
BURNS AND SCALD

14. 1. DO NOT PANIC. IF NECESSARY, CALL FOR HELP.
2. EXAMINE THE CHILD IF AIRWAY IS CLEAR (E.G. CAN TALK, CRY OR
NOT); IF BREATHING IS ADEQUATE AND CIRCULATION IS NORMAL
(OBSERVE COLOUR OF THE FACE, DEPTH AND RATE OF
BREATHING).
3. IF BREATHING AND CIRCULATION ARE NORMAL, CHECK FOR THE
BURN OR SCALD INJURES ON THE BODY.
4. RINSE THE INJURY SITE WITH TAP WATER FOR ABOUT 10
MINUTES. IF THE CHILD FEELS CHILLED, STOP RINSING.
5. COVER THE INJURY SITE WITH A STERILE GAUZE. DRESS WITH
BANDAGES.
6. NEVER APPLY TOOTHPASTE, SOYSAUCE OR OTHER OINTMENTS
ON THE INJURED SITES.
7. DO NOT PUNCTURE ANY BLISTER.
8. DO NOT TEAR OFF ANY BURNED CLOTHING THAT STICKS ON THE
INJURED SITE.
BURNS AND SCALD

15. 1. DO NOT PANIC. IF NECESSARY, CALL FOR HELP.
2. EXAMINE THE CHILD IF AIRWAY IS CLEAR (E.G. CAN TALK, CRY OR
NOT); IF BREATHING IS ADEQUATE AND CIRCULATION IS NORMAL
(OBSERVE COLOUR OF THE FACE, DEPTH AND RATE OF
BREATHING).
3. IF BREATHING AND CIRCULATION ARE NORMAL, CHECK FOR THE
BURN OR SCALD INJURES ON THE BODY.
4. RINSE THE INJURY SITE WITH TAP WATER FOR ABOUT 10
MINUTES. IF THE CHILD FEELS CHILLED, STOP RINSING.
5. COVER THE INJURY SITE WITH A STERILE GAUZE. DRESS WITH
BANDAGES.
6. NEVER APPLY TOOTHPASTE, SOYSAUCE OR OTHER OINTMENTS
ON THE INJURED SITES.
7. DO NOT PUNCTURE ANY BLISTER.
8. DO NOT TEAR OFF ANY BURNED CLOTHING THAT STICKS ON THE
INJURED SITE.
POISONING