On January 21, the National Children’s Hospital issued a warning about the surge in child hospitalizations due to household accidents, particularly burns and drowning, as the Lunar New Year approaches. These incidents not only cause severe injuries but also leave long-term consequences if not promptly addressed.
12-Year-Old Boy Suffers Severe Burns While Showering
A boy suffering from severe burns after a household accident
On January 14, doctors at the Burn Unit – Orthopedic Department of the National Children’s Hospital admitted a 12-year-old boy from Hanoi with second- and third-degree burns on multiple areas of his body, including his head, neck, shoulders, chest, and right forearm. According to the family, at around 6 p.m., the boy was taking a shower using a handheld showerhead when an accident caused hot water to spray directly onto his body.
After discovering the incident, the family immediately rushed him to the hospital for emergency care. The medical team treated his wounds and provided daily care. After a week of intensive treatment, the boy’s condition stabilized, and he is expected to be discharged within 1-2 days.
However, this case serves as a critical reminder for parents about the importance of supervising children during daily activities.
Drowning Risks and Proper First Aid Techniques
At the same time, the Emergency and Toxicology Department of the hospital received three cases of children suffering from severe drowning. The children had accidents while playing near Koi ponds or other bodies of water without adult supervision. Alarmingly, none of the children received proper first aid before arriving at the hospital.
Instead of performing rescue breathing or CPR, the families chose to hold the children upside down and run. As a result, the patients were admitted in critical condition, experiencing respiratory and circulatory failure. Thanks to intensive resuscitation efforts, including mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic stabilization, antibiotics, and controlled hypothermia, their conditions gradually improved. However, they still require monitoring for potential neurological complications.
Dr. Nguyen Tan Hung, Deputy Head of the Emergency and Toxicology Department, emphasized: “The brain can only tolerate oxygen deprivation for a maximum of 4-5 minutes. In cold weather, children are prone to rapid hypothermia, worsening their condition. Therefore, if a child is found unconscious, not breathing, or in cardiac arrest after drowning, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential. This is the ‘golden window’ to save a child’s life.”
Causes and Preventive Measures
According to statistics from the National Children’s Hospital, the number of childhood injury cases spikes significantly during the pre-Tet period each year. Common accidents include burns, fractures, external wounds, poisoning, and choking. The primary cause is that children lack the ability to protect themselves, especially when traveling from urban areas to rural hometowns for Tet celebrations and encountering unfamiliar environments with hazards like ponds, lakes, and trees.
Meanwhile, adults often neglect supervision due to the busyness of Tet preparations. This oversight leads to unfortunate incidents, severely impacting children’s health and lives.
To prevent accidents, experts recommend that parents:
- Supervise closely: Always keep an eye on children, especially when they are near water sources, cooking areas, or electrical devices.
- Eliminate potential risks: Cover ponds, lock gas valves, and store chemicals and hazardous items out of children’s reach.
- Learn first aid skills: Acquire knowledge of initial responses to emergencies such as burns, drowning, and choking.
Conclusion
Household accidents involving children, particularly burns and drowning, are alarming issues, especially during festive seasons like Tet. To protect their children, parents must enhance prevention awareness and equip themselves with adequate first aid knowledge. Always remember, a child’s safety largely depends on the attention and responsibility of adults.
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