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Hidden dangers can lurk in common household items Don't play with matches. Don't run with scissors. Don't use
the curling iron. Children are taught at a young age to avoid a multitude of "dangerous" household items. However, it is easy to overlook objects that, if used incorrectly, could put children at risk of very serious injuries. Here are some examples of household dangers: Washing machines: An estimated 19,109 washing machine-related injuries involving children under the age of 15 occurred from 1993-2000, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These injuries accounted for approximately 2388 emergency department visits and 128 hospital admissions per year. Children can climb on washing machines and injure themselves by falling off. They also can injure upper extremities by sticking them into machines that are in use. Curling irons: Curling iron burns occur much more frequently than reported. Still, according to the CPSC, children under 5 years of age suffer from approximately 7700 burns a year that require emergency department treatment. Also, children sometimes sustain eye injuries as a result of accidentally hitting their eye with hot irons while curling their hair. Recently, curling irons have been designed to be hotter, increasing the severity of burns that can result from accidentally touching them. Jewelry: Children can be cut or strangled by the jewelry they wear. According to the Federal Citizen Information Center, very small children should not wear necklaces or similar items around their necks. Also, jewelry often contains small parts that can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children. Tap water: Every year, about 3800 injuries and 34 deaths occur due to scalding from excessively hot tap water. Most of these incidents involve the elderly and children under age 5. Water that feels comfortable to adults can scald a baby's delicate skin. The CPSC recommends that water heaters be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent accidents. Pools: Parents know swimming pools pose a drowning hazard, but the CPSC and the American Red Cross have another concern - electrocution. In the past 13 years, there have been 60 deaths and almost 50 serious shocks reported regarding electrical hazards in or around the pool. The danger of electrocution stems mostly from faulty underwater lighting, aging electrical wiring, the use of sump pumps, power washers and vacuums that are not grounded, and electrical appliances and extension cords falling into the water. Parents should keep in mind that supervision is one of the best ways to prevent children from being injured. -Nicole L. Joseph |