Caregivers in Japan urged to be aware of indoor child safety precautions

During the holiday season, the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) is urging parents to be extra cautious when staying in rooms that have not been child-proofed, following a series of tragic incidents involving young children.

According to NITE, there have been 73 reported cases of children under the age of 6 sustaining serious injuries from 2019 to 2023, with over 70% of these incidents occurring indoors. The most common injuries were trauma-related, including burns, choking, and accidental ingestion of small items.

Tragically, eight of these incidents resulted in fatalities, with suffocation being the leading cause of death. In one heartbreaking case, a 3-year-old in Kanagawa Prefecture choked to death after becoming entangled in curtain strings, while a 5-month-old in Hyogo Prefecture suffocated after getting trapped between a bed guard and a mattress.

To prevent such accidents, NITE recommends caregivers to check their travel destinations for potential risks and to use safety devices such as door stoppers, furniture anchors, and drawer locks. They also stress the importance of keeping hazardous items out of children’s reach and checking the age suitability of products used around young children.

Outdoor accidents, particularly bicycle-related incidents, were also a concern highlighted by NITE. They advise parents to actively teach children to recognize and avoid hazards, ensuring they are aware of the risks present in different products and environments.

As families prepare for holiday travel, NITE’s message is clear: take the necessary precautions to keep children safe in unfamiliar environments.