Prof. Madhav Ch. Satpathy
It is found that most parents are not aware of what is safety education for children, as a result many accidents happen in home and around school. Good health is dependent in part upon the avoidance of accidents. The possibility of accident is a potential danger at all times. It is estimated that we have one-third of the vehicles compared to U.S.A. but we have ten times accidents compared to U.S.A. Bad roads and old vehicles may be a cause, but major cause is due to teenagers reckless driving and drunken drivers mistakes.
A part from road accidents home is the source of the greatest number of accidents. Carelessness of the older members of the family is responsible for the majority of accidental fatalities suffered by young children at home. In the following table some of the major causes of home accidents are given.
Type of Accidents Percent
Falls 41
Burns (All types) 32
Poisonous gas 6
Firearms 3
Poisoning (No gas) 1
Others 17
Total 100
Similarly accidents occur outside the home. Below is a table showing accidents of children between ages between 5 years old and 14 years old.
Type of accidents Percent
Motor Vehicle 46
Falls 16
Drowning 12
Burns 9
Railroads, street, car 3
Poisonous gas 1
Firearms 1
Others 12
Total 100
Similarly when children are not taught as to how move or walk in a busy road or busy city, they fall prey to accidents. They should learn to exercise great care and watchfulness when travelling unescorted in these roads and streets. The following table shows the serious consequences that may result from carelessness about crossing street against traffic signal (light), playing in the streets, and similar street and highway activities.
Table is for ages 5 years old to 16 years old.
Causes of accident Percent Running in road way( street) 25 Crossing ( Not at crossing point) 17
Crossing (Past parked auto) 9
Collision of vehicles 8
Crossing against signal lights 7
Playing in roadway (street) 7
Careless bicycle riding 7
Stealing rides (auto, bus, etc.) 5
Various causes at crossing 3
Roller skating in roadway (street) 3
Coasting (Sled, toy wagon etc.) 1
Other causes 8
Total 100
So to avoid such unwarranted children’s accidents, New York City Board of Education has suggested the following guide lines when parents should try for safety of their children. Parents should:
1. Keep their children to develop habit of carefulness and obedience to safety rules at home, on the street, in school and in play.
2. Teach children safe conduct in the use of street cars, buses etc.
3. Help children to develop alertness, agility and muscular control by physical exercise.
4. Teach children to cooperate to prevent accidents and avoid unnecessary risks.
5. Teach children to read, understand and obey safety rules and regulations.
6. Help children to recognise situations involving hazards.
7. Help children develop habits of conduct which will enable them to meet situations of daily life with as little danger as possible to themselves.
8. Help children to develop habits of orderliness and carefulness in use of play things, tools, common articles in the home and school and in the use of fire and electric gadgets.
9. Help children develop wholesome attitudes concerning (a) law and law enforcement officers (b) the safety of self and others (c) organised efforts to assure safety for all.
10. Give the children actual experiences in desirable safety particles.
Besides the above mentioned guide lines, the parents are the best teacher to teach their child how they would be safe. The present situations in the road, street, playground even in markets are not conducive to children. Special care should be taken to apprise the children the noticeable dangers looking everywhere. In the words of Chitragib, the dove king of Panchatantra, “Danger is everywhere ... in food, drink and the earth itself.”