| Iceland is an unfriendly place for children |
| Monday, 24 May 2010 11:15 |
 "The main cause of death of children in Iceland are accidents," says Herdís Storgaard, chairman of the preventive agency, but an international research was presented recently where it is seen that Iceland has the lowest rate of death of children under five years of age in the Western world. England is on the other hand on the botom. Herdís says that this result is amongst other for the thanks of a powerful campaign against accidents for instance in swimming pools. The fatal accidents in swimming pools in Iceland have reduced by 55 percent in twenty years said Herdís. "In 1994 we discovered because of a parent of a child which nearly drowned during school swimming lessons, that the problem is considerable," says Herdís but she along with scientists found out that the accidents of children in a swimming pool under fourteen years of age were quite many. Then it was also very noticeable that children under four years of age were drowning in shallow waters, even puddles. Herdís says that they started a big campaign to educate parents about the risk and then increase the safety in swimming pools. The result is obvious; the fatal accidents have reduced by roughly half because of drowning. But Herdís is not entirely satisfied. She says that the danger of accidents is in many places and criticizes amongst other the accommodation for children in cars. "The youngest children are well cared for. But it is different when it comes to children who are five years old and older," says Herdís but beliefs that the accommodation for children in this age group is a serious cause of worry. She says that many parents allow their children to sit on seats with no back, but from what Herdís says have researches shown that the seats are of no help on their own. "In rough accidents have these seats just shot from underneath the children and the children had serious injury from the seat belts," says Herdís. Then she says that it is serious if the children are sitting in the front seat with the driver. She says that she understands why parents allow their children to do so but also points out that this is not only dangerous, this is fatally dangerous for the child if the driver has a car accident. Herdís says that it is not good enough that parents are well aware about the dangers which can be found in the environment. She points out that parents think that their children have more common sense than they have in fact when they are allowed to play without supervision, for instance close to rivers and traffic streets. She says that there has to be constant supervision with younger children, and then it does not matter if they are accustomed to the environment: "Children can suddenly think of the most unlikely things despite the fact they might know their environment inside out." Herdís beliefs that the attitude of the parents towards the outdoor life of children is too careless and such has lead to accidents too many times. "It is sad to say but one often thinks Iceland is an unfriendly place for children. It is as if the safety of the children is far to low on the priority list," says Herdís who thinks that there is careless attitude towards children who play outdoors. She says that the progress is fine. In her opinion should parents seek more education about the dangers which lead to accidents, which is the largest problem when it comes to young children here in Iceland. "Unfortunately there is no vaccine for children against accidents," says Herdís finally. There is more informative articles about the safety of children in the website of the prevention house which is run by Sjova insurance company.
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