Sharjah: Civil Defence workers and firemen from Sharjah Samnan station held a safety workshop for 14 nursery children on Thursday to educate them about protecting themselves from hazards at home.
In the light of multiple accidents involving children falling from high-rise buildings in the last few years, Civil Defence and Kids World Nursery collaborated to hold four action-based workshops this week at the fire station which targeted more than 100 students.
In the final workshop on Thursday, children aged four and below engaged with personnel in a fun and active atmosphere where they were asked to identify objects that are of risk and were taught how to respond to certain dangerous situations, like calling 997 during a fire.
Leading the workshop was Ahmad Salem Ahmad, First Warrant Officer from the Civil Protection Department, awareness division, who told Gulf News there are a number of hazards throughout the house, which children must be taught to avoid.
However, apart from teaching children to seek safety for themselves, he said parents also have the responsibility to always pre-empt danger and ensure a safe environment for their children.
“Unsecured windows and balconies are what we see as the biggest threats for children at home. Every family needs to ensure it reduces the risk of young children getting injured. Constant supervision at home and the principle of never leaving behind (children) in a locked house [are mandatory],” he said.
Homes, he said, are a dangerous place. “Sharp objects, chemicals, matches, electrical appliances, the stove and oven found at home pose a big risk to children and should be out of reach. Once children start walking, they become more vulnerable to threats, and if left home alone, they are unable to handle life-threatening situations.”
Ahmad said negligence has been the top reason for the spate of deaths of children in the UAE due to falling from high-rises. Many families, he added, tend to leave children locked at home. Gulf News reported earlier that Sharjah alone has recorded five fatal high-rise deaths of children this year alone, bringing the total number of child deaths from high-rise falls to 23 to date since 2013.
“Parents should take all precautionary measures by analysing all the potential threats surrounding their children. Leaving a chair, an old piece of furniture, or a table out on the balcony should be avoided because children tend to climb them to look down. They should also lock all windows.”
Parents have also the obligation to educate themselves on safety measures and teach their children how to be safe, he said.
Lovita Tariq, director of Kids World Nursery, said even though the children were too young, it was important to embed ideas of safety in their minds from the beginning and introduce them to community workers and their responsibilities through the workshops.
“The children got intrigued when they saw firefighters in their suits as authorities giving them advice on how to stay safe. In previous workshops, they have been able to learn about how to not leave the house alone and what to do in case of a fire. When children pick up such information, they can be smart enough to even point out hazards to their parents, which their parents might have not noticed.”
Lovita said for the whole month, the children were being taught about fire and safety through art and music at the nursery.
“The reason we wanted to hold the workshops is because most accidents involving a fall have happened in this side of town and maybe people are not educated very much about safety, so we thought to teach kids safety so they can be vigilant.”
At the end of the workshop, Ahmad distributed colouring books and booklets to the children, aimed at raising awareness on specific dangers. He said if parents wish to get hold of any booklets on safety measures, they can get in touch with Sharjah Civil Defence’s awareness division, who is also holding awareness workshops on safety.
Tips for parents
To prevent drowning:
(When children swim or take a shower)
Adults should keep a close eye on their children every second they are near the water.
Never give children small toys while swimming so that they don’t swallow them and get suffocated
Make sure bathrooms and kitchens are closed after use, for children falling in toilets are common.
Protecting children from locked doors injuries
Install thumb-turn latches on self-locked doors to prevent children from running against them.
Avoid installing sharp-edged doors to avoid injuries, finger breaks and wounds to children.
Avoid locking doors on children inside bathrooms to prevent them from being scared and frightened
Use safe locks on all doors of the house
Preventing choking and airway obstruction
(Suffocation/inhalation is the second leading cause of accidental home injury related to death of children under the age of 14)
Reduce risk of suffocation-
Keep small objects away from children under the age of six
Make sure there are no hard materials surrounding infants in their crib
Child’s crib should always be empty
Preventing a fall
(To avoid children from falling in the house and facing injuries and wounds)
Keep ladders away from children
Keep stairs clear of things to avoid trip over
Fix broken or chipped steps and walkways
Put bright lights over all porches and walkways
Prevent burns and scalds
Test water temperature before giving a child a warm bath
Keep children away from where cooking is happening
Keep matches and lighters away and out of reach of children
Practise fire drills to make sure everyone can wake up to the sound of the smoke alarm
Never purchase fireworks and explosive toys for kids
(Sharjah Civil Defence)
