[Home accidents among small children and preventive potential].
BACKGROUND
The incidence of childhood home injuries is currently high. A portion of these injuries could be prevented by simple safety precautions.


METHODS
This study is based on data from the Norwegian National Injury Sample Register. We used this register to estimate the frequency of selected product-related injuries among Norwegian children aged two to three. We also used data from another study of home safety precautions taken by mothers of two-year olds.


RESULTS
The most frequently reported injuries were falls from staircases and falls in bathrooms. The most severe were injuries related to stairs, medical drugs, and hazardous substances. The survey showed that a significant portion of parents do not take precautions to reduce the risk of injuries related to staircases, bathroom floor, electric cooker and poisoning with medical drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
There seems to be a potential for improved use of safety measures against product-related childhood injuries. Previous studies have shown that the interventions that are most effective in changing risk behaviour are a combination of legislation, educational campaigns, information to parents on home hazard reduction, and free supply of security equipment.
Myklestad
I
I
Avdeling for samfunnsmedisin Statens institutt for folkehelse Postboks 4404 Torshov 0403 Oslo. ingri.myklestad@folkehelsa.no
Engeland
A
A
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D011482:Protective Devices; D012449:Safety; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires