Families urged to practise proven home safe methods during Ramadan

Doha: The Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP), Hamad Trauma Centre (HTC) of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is advising families and residents to practise proven home safe techniques during Ramadan.

In order to protect your family, the Hamad injury Prevention Program (HIPP)  highlights safety at home and especially at family gatherings during Ramadan. 

Dr Aisha Abeid

Dr. Aisha Abeid, Assistant Director of the Hamad Injury Prevention Program at the Hamad Trauma Centre, advises all families, especially those with children, to be careful while they are at home and to create a safer environment for these children to avoid head injuries, cuts, burns, falls and drowning, which are the most common household injuries. 

“Let us keep our families and friends safe together by supervising young children, ensuring their safety and preventing unnecessary injuries that may arise from adults being preoccupied at home.” 

As she emphasised the importance of doing the following to reduce the risk of domestic injuries: assign a responsible adult to provide continuous and visual supervision over young children at all times; never leave your young child on a bed or counter unattended; keep poisonous and toxic household items, like detergents, medicines and cleaning products, in locked cabinets that are above ground and inaccessible to crawling and younger kids; keep choking hazards, like coins, buttons, batteries and small toys out of reach of small children and toddlers.

Any items that can fit through a toilet paper roll must be secured above ground in a closed container; create a ‘safe zone’ in the kitchen so children do not enter the kitchen while cooking or baking is going on; before you start your car check for hiding or playing small children around your car in your parking area specially before you backup or reverse; to prevent heat or sun strokes don’t allow young kids play outdoors for more than 30-45 minutes during extremely hot weather or during midday (10am to 3pm). Likewise, children left in a hot car, even for a few minutes, can also succumb to heat stroke.

If any of the above happen, call the HMC Ambulance Services immediately at 999.