Dr. Barbara Blackie
Doha, Qatar: As the holiday season has approached, parents are urged to take precautionary measures and ensure the safety of their children.
Education Lead and a Senior Attending Physician for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Sidra Medicine, Dr. Barbara Blackie has emphasised the importance of taking measures to avoid injuries during the holiday season.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Dr. Blackie said that common injuries and accidents among children can be prevented by following safe water practices; keeping medicine and household cleaning products and chemicals away from children; using helmets while riding all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) and scooters; and using finger protection strips and door guards.
According to her, in summer and fall, drowning and children getting their fingers jammed in doors are more commonly seen at the Department of Emergency Medicine at Sidra Medicine. She advised parents and caregivers to be cautious when children are near swimming pools, the sea, and other sources of water, including those at home.
“The simplest way to ensuring that children are safe around water is proper and constant supervision and that too by a person who knows how to swim,” said Dr. Blackie adding that lifejackets or a personal flotation aids also can be helpful in keeping children safe in water.
She also insisted that parents should be mindful while children go play near swimming pools as many lack fencing.
She advised that there is a lot can be done to prevent injuries in the home, noting that the home can be a hazardous place for infants and young children in particular, if safety measures re not taken.
Dr. Blackie recommended keeping children’s play areas free from tripping hazards, like wires and toys; also to keep children away from heating sources, like stoves or ovens or candles, boiling kettles or pots; and to keep medicine cabinets and toxic cleaning materials out of reach of children.
“Another common injury we see is children getting their fingers jammed in doors and door hinges and coming in with crushed or fractured fingers. When at home, check that children’s hands are out of the way before closing doors. Teach children not to slam or play with doors. And use finger protected strips and door guards,” Dr. Blackie said.
Sidra Medicine also has a “Qatar Poison Centre”, a free helpline (in English and Arabic) that provides poisoning management and treatment advice for both children and adults.
For those planning to spend time using all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) during the break, Dr. Blackie said it is important to remember that these vehicles are designed for one passenger. And that young children, below 16 years, should not drive or ride ATVs and that safely operating an ATV requires a driver who has enough strength, training, and experience.
