WEED FOR CAUTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 56, 16 March 1943, Page 3

WEED FOR CAUTION

ACCIDENTS AMONG CHILDREN IN THE HOME More, children uie from accidents in the home than from accidents in the street in New Zealand. That is rather an alarming statement to make, hut it is borne out by figuresstates a Health Department bulletin. In 19-HK for instance 1 , 67 children under five years of age died accidental deaths. More than half of these —35 of them—died from accidents in and ground the home. Swallowed objects that suffocated or punctured vital spots head the list and the others comprise deaths from burns, poisons, gases, suffocation, falls and mishandling of machinery. Parents are warned to watch particularly electric ilexes and fires. Ln the ward of one hospital at one time recently were seven little toddlers, all suffering from burns received in the only safe place they knew—their homes. Scissors with sharp points, sharp tools, knives, open safety-pins,.should all be kept out of the reach of curious littlej fingers. Gas and. electric equipment should be definitely 'kept out of bounds for the young hope.ful, and poisons .should be kept in an inaccessible cupboard. All misI haps cannot be avoided, but they | can be minimised by the use of. a little common sense and thought. Some of these seven babies referred to above will be crippled for life and a constant reproach to> somone's carelessness. It is. in the. hands of parents to see that their children do not pay too heavy a penalty for natural childish inquisitiveness.