Safety practices among parents and children in a primary care setting

Abstract

This study assessed parental and child safety practice, appropriate to the age of the child, and perceptions of the age at which a variety of activities were considered to be safe in the areas of home, road and leisure safety. A postal questionnaire was sent to parents of all 771 children on the age-sex register of one suburban general practice in Nottingham. A response rate of 78 per cent was obtained. The reliability of responses was high. The majority of parents and children reported safe practices most of the time. Notable exceptions included drinking hot drinks while holding a baby, not putting cold water in the bath first, leaving children under four alone in the bath, allowing children under three to play with toys small enough to go into their mouths, not using booster cushions in the car, and not wearing cycle helmets. Parental perceptions of the age at which it is safe to allow children to undertake various activities are similar to those recommended, except the majority of parents stated an age at which children could tell the difference between sweets and medicines. Parental inconsistencies between perceptions and behaviour were greatest with regard to leaving children alone in the bath, not using stairgates or providing cycle helmets and allowing children to play with small toys. It is concluded that most of these parents adopted safe behaviour most of the time and most were aware of the age at which children can undertake a variety of activities safely. It is unlikely that the primary health care team will be effective in reducing accidental injuries, if it relies solely on the educational approach emph asised in The Health o f the Nation.