Types of Child Safety Accidents
Child safety accidents can be classified by location and situation. Accidents at home, on the road, at school, and during play vary depending on a child’s age, behavior, and level of supervision. Understanding the causes and prevention methods for each type is essential to keeping children safe.
.
.
.
Home Accidents: The Most Common Type of Child Injury
Although the home is generally under parental supervision, accidents frequently occur due to unrecognized hazards.
Children aged 1 to 3, who are just beginning to walk and explore, often get injured by bumping into furniture such as tables, beds, sofas, and chairs, or by slipping and falling.
Children aged 7 to 14, who are more active, are more likely to experience injuries such as finger entrapment in doors, cuts, puncture wounds, and burns.
How to Prevent Home Accidents
Parents should become familiar with basic safety rules and pay close attention to potential risks.
Furniture that children can climb on should not be placed near windows, and sharp objects must be stored out of reach.
Installing corner guards on furniture can reduce injuries from collisions, and children should never bathe alone in a bathtub.
.
.
.
Traffic Accidents Caused by Sudden Child Behavior
Child traffic accidents are generally divided into pedestrian accidents and passenger accidents, with pedestrian accidents accounting for over 70% in Korea.
Common causes include crossing the street without checking surroundings, jaywalking, suddenly running into the road, and emerging from between parked vehicles.
Driver-related factors such as illegal parking and careless driving also contribute significantly.
How to Prevent Child Traffic Accidents
Children should stop at the curb, check for oncoming vehicles, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
During rain, snow, or nighttime hours, children should walk with an adult and wear bright-colored clothing.
Children under 13 must sit in the back seat and use an appropriate child safety seat. When using school buses, loose clothing or shoes with long laces should be avoided to prevent entrapment accidents.
.
.
.
School Accidents: “Just a Moment” Can Cause Injury
At school, accidents often occur during physical education classes, cleaning time, laboratory activities, and breaks.
Running on stairs, bumping into desks, or playing roughly with classmates can easily lead to injuries.
While student carelessness plays a role, the difficulty teachers face in supervising many students at once is also a contributing factor.
How to Prevent School Accidents
Children should never play on stairs or skip steps while walking.
Throwing school supplies or playing with them improperly should be avoided, and extra caution is needed in wet restrooms.
Teachers should provide safety education in advance and regularly monitor students’ health and behavior.
.
.
.