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School holidays: Municipal Health Department issues warning to avoid domestic accidents
Published on 14/07/2025 - 16:52 | Updated on 14/07/2025 - 16:55
Salgado Filho is a reference in the city of Rio for the removal of foreign bodies. Photo: Reproduction During school holidays, municipal hospitals in the city of Rio de Janeiro tend to see an increase in children being treated for falls, ingesting foreign bodies, and burns.
"Especially in July, we often see a significant increase in demand for pediatric emergency rooms at Rocha Faria Municipal Hospital related to domestic accidents. Among the most frequent cases recorded, falls resulting in fractures stand out, representing the main reason for seeking care in this context. Furthermore, incidents involving burns, foreign body ingestion, and traumatic brain injuries are also common, situations that tend to intensify during this period when children spend more time at home, away from school, and often without constant monitoring," explained Helder Silva, medical superintendent of Rocha Faria Municipal Hospital.
Handling fire also requires important precautions within the home. In the kitchen, a high-risk area for burns, children must always be accompanied by an adult. The main cause of domestic accidents among children and adolescents aged 3 to 13 during the July holidays is overheated liquids, especially water and alcohol. This is according to a survey by the Burn Treatment Center (CTQ) at Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital (HMSA) in downtown Rio.
Working in this specialized service, Estela Dana is the head of the pediatric unit at the HMSA CTQ. In her three decades of hospital work, she also observes other accidents that cause burns in homes, such as electric shocks caused by children sticking their fingers in electrical outlets, loose wires, or fiddling with appliances. She highlights how the unit has advanced over the years in offering services to improve patient outcomes.
"Today, the CTQ team relies on assertive practices for managing all patients who arrive with burns. This is especially true for young patients, as burns can be a serious problem, causing suffering and lasting consequences for both the child and their entire family. We've implemented special dressings, such as burn pads made of various materials, allowing for long-term treatment with better results and increased comfort. We also use a new topical antiseptic therapy to help maintain local asepsis. And the advent of new antibiotics to treat infections previously considered difficult to treat," explained the professional.
HMSA is also a reference in the city of Rio de Janeiro for the removal of foreign bodies. In July 2024, the unit performed 236 procedures for this purpose. These include objects that were swallowed or inserted into the ear or nose, especially by children.
"At the hospital, we have an emergency department with decades of experience in removing foreign bodies, which has even created a large museum showcasing the diverse array of objects that have been removed. But the main message we need to convey is the need for increased supervision of children during this period. Paying attention to the age rating of toys and the accessibility of small objects is essential to prevent accidents. Children are naturally curious and can easily put these objects in their mouths, noses, or ears," emphasizes Edio Cavallaro, head of the Otorhinolaryngology department at HMSA.
Falls among children are also common during this period at Salgado Filho Municipal Hospital in Méier. Whether from cribs, bouncy castles, bicycles, or even from rooftops when children climb to fly kites, simple measures can prevent accidents. This is what the unit's head of Pediatrics, Jorge Campos, says, highlighting some recommendations.
"It's important to carefully monitor all environments where children are. They should be kept away from the kitchen, pots and pans should always have their handles pointing inward, and containers with heated liquids and alcohol should not be left near minors. Protecting electrical wiring is essential; installing outlet protectors is a safe option to prevent electric shocks and burns. Outside the home and on playgrounds, if a fall occurs, it's important to observe whether the child has vomited, is drowsy, or has a seizure. In these cases, seek emergency care," advises the head of Pediatrics at Salgado Filho.
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