Child Injury Stats for Asian Children in NZ Released

Child Injury Stats for Asian Children in NZ Released

Every year 3 children of Asian descent in New Zealand are killed as a result of an unintentional injury. A further 391 Asian children are injured severely enough to be admitted to hospital. That’s at least one child seriously injured every day.
Safekids Aotearoa, the national child injury prevention service, recently released the latest statistics on unintentional injuries to Asian children in New Zealand.

Motor vehicle occupant injuries (44%), suffocation (19%) and drowning (16%) are the leading causes of child deaths.

For hospitalisation, fall-related injuries are the leading cause (52%). Falling from playground equipment, slipping or tripping at school, in public areas and at home are the leading causes and locations of falls.

Motor vehicle-related deaths and falls injuries were common among children aged 5-9 years.
Safekids Aotearoa recommends the use of proven injury interventions, such as child restraints and booster seats until children are 148cm tall.

“The good news is most child injuries can be prevented. Booster seats for school age children reduce the risk of hospitalisation by as much as 59%,” said Ann Weaver, Director, Safekids Aotearoa.

“For falls, Safekids Aotearoa recommends that schools comply with the NZ Playground Standards, especially around height and surface standards.”

“The risk of fall-related injuries can also be reduced through the use of safety devices at home, such as stair gates and window latches, and encouraging the use of helmets when using scooters, skateboards and bicycles,”

“Research shows that in a crash or fall, bicycle helmets reduces the risk of severe brain by as much as 74%,” Ms Weaver said.

For more information about Asian child injuries in NZ, download the Safekids Aotearoa’s Asian Child Injury Factsheet at http://bit.ly/SKAsianFactSheetsv.

ENDS

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