Shanghai hospital launches ‘Accident-free Day for Children’

The Children’s Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai has designated the first Wednesday in July “Accident-free Day for Children”.

The hospital said it hopes the day — which coincides with the start of summer vacation for many Chinese students — will eventually be recognized nationwide.

On June 30 and July 1, 242 children were treated at the hospital for accidents, accounting for more than 60 percent of all patients requiring emergency treatment over the 48-hour period.

“But many accidents are avoidable, and the cost to avoid such accidents is usually not high and sometimes nonexistent,” said Li Hao, the hospital’s director of neurosurgery.

“For example, you just need to keep lighters out of children’s reach. It’s doesn’t cost a penny,” added Cui Minyan, chief representative of the China branch of Safe Kids Worldwide, an NGO.

Jointly held by the hospital and the NGO, eight lectures regarding different aspects of safety knowledge — such as foods that could present health risks and safe swimming practices — will be given to children in the coming two months.

Each year, around 50 million children in China suffer accidents, resulting in 71,000 deaths.

Drowning, traffic accidents and falls are the top three causes of death, according to a report published in December by the National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention and Safe Kids Worldwide.