The cost of doing nothing to prevent child injury

The cost of doing nothing to prevent child injuries is unacceptable!

Research shows that unintentional injury is the leading cause of death and hospitalisation for young children. On average, more than three children die from an unintentional injury every fortnight in New Zealand. Regional Manager for Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service, Mr Graeme Savage, says “because unintentional injuries are predictable and therefore preventable, it is considered to be one of the most serious public health problems facing children in the industrialised world today”.

Children aged 0-4 years have been identified as an at risk group for unintentional injury in the home environment, particularly falls, hot water burns, and poisonings.

Mr Savage says “that there is a huge cost to families and whanau when children are severely hurt from an unintentional injury in the home. The emotional and financial demand on parents who have lost a child or are providing special care to a severely injured child for weeks or years can cause great difficulties for families and caregivers”.

“The cost of doing nothing is unacceptable”, says Mr Savage. As such, interventions that aim to create safer home environments for children to live, learn, and play can have a positive impact on family health and wellbeing.

Over the last few months Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service has been working alongside Te Manu Toroa, Plunket, and Safe Kawerau Kids Injury Prevention Project, to develop an evidenced based injury prevention e-toolkit that aims to compliment the injury prevention efforts of community providers who work with families of young children. The toolkit provides a step-by-step guide for carrying out an injury prevention project focusing on falls, hot water burns, poisonings, and child car restraint safety. It includes parent information sheets, injury prevention quick tip sheets, and a manual that records information and structures the delivery of in-home support. An evaluation guide and spreadsheet is also supplied

This injury prevention resource is available now to download free from Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service’s website: http://www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz/Injury_prevention_e-toolkit.

“We encourage everyone to make the most of this free resource and to take the time to help families create safer homes for their children” says Mr Savage.

ENDS

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