Children-related safety accidents increase for third consecutive year

-Most accidents involved 1-3 year olds-

  The number of safety accidents involving children appears to be increasing each year. Parents and guardians need to take extra caution as children lack awareness of dangerous situations and counter-ability.

  The Korea Consumer Agency (www.kca.go.kr) tallied safety accidents involving children under the age of 14 reported through the Consumer Injury Surveillance System (CISS)* from 2011 to 2014, and found that the number of accidents increased three years in a row.

   * Consumer Injury Surveillance System (CISS): In accordance with the Consumer Framework Act, a system that analyzes and assesses harmful information collected through 66 hospitals, 18 fire stations, etc. nationwide and the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center.

       <Children-related safety accidents over the past four years>

  Breaking down the number of children-related safety accidents reported through the CISS from 2012 to 2014 (74,600 cases) by age group, more than a majority of accidents occurred among 1-3 year olds (37,273 cases) followed by 4-6 year olds (21.5% or 16,069 cases), 7-14 year olds (20.0% or 14,891 cases), and infants less than 1 year old (8.5% or 6,367 cases).

  Among the total accidents reported, 67.5% (50,364 cases) occurred at home whereas 8.1% (6,006 cases) and 7.6% (5,692 cases) occurred at leisure/recreational facilities and educational facilities, respectively.

  In looking at the type of accidents by age group, infants less than 1 year old fell from the bed or sofa due to parental negligence, 1-3 year olds fell or slipped in the living room and bedroom, 4-6 year olds (active age group) fell from the bed or sofa, and 7-14 year olds bumped into obstacles or fell while riding a bicycle or skating.

  Accidents that can severely harm children (e.g., poisoning, burns, and swallowing) mostly occurred among 1-3 year olds. Of note, 59.9% (601 cases) of poisoning accidents, 54.9% (1,253 cases) burn accidents, and 51.7% (3,730 cases) swallowing accidents occurred during the toddler period.

  Over the past three years, a total of 7,219 cases were reported related to swallowing accidents involving children less than 14 years old. Among the total cases, 11.6% (836 cases) involved swallowing toy parts, followed by marbles 8.0% (574 cases) and coins 4.8% (346 cases).

  Fracture-related accidents totaled 3,539 cases, of which 37.3% (1,320 cases) occurred in playgrounds and recreational facilities. In particular, fractures mostly occurred among 7-14 years who tend to play outdoors.

  Among 2,284 cases related to burns, 15.9% (364 cases) were caused by pressure cooker steam, 12.3% (282 cases) by water purifiers, and 5.6% (127 cases) by hot grills.

  As to 1,004 cases related to poisoning, most were caused by pharmaceuticals and chemical products easily found in households, such medicine (25.7% or 258 cases), pesticides (6.7% or 68 cases), and bleaching agents (6.4% or 64 cases).

  The KCA underlined the need for parents and guardians to raise safety awareness and make proactive efforts to reduce and prevent children-related accidents. In addition, the KCA stressed the importance of continuously teaching children on how to be safe and protect oneself from dangers situations.