Staying in a room that hasn't been child-proofed — whether it's at a hotel or a relative's house — during the holidays requires extra caution, the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) said, following reports of casualties.
From 2019 to 2023, 73 incidents of children under the age of 6 sustaining serious injuries have been reported, of which 54 cases, or over 70%, occurred indoors.
Parents can often recognize the dangers within their own home, but may not be as vigilant when visiting new places during the holidays.
In a statement released late last month, NITE advised caregivers to check their travel destinations for potential risks, and to be mindful of how they can keep their children safe.
The most frequent injuries were trauma-related, including burns, choking, hands getting caught in doors, and accidental ingestion of items such as coins and children’s toys.
Eight of these incidents resulted in fatalities, with six due to suffocation. In one such case last year, a 3-year-old in Kanagawa Prefecture choked to death after they got entangled in curtain strings.
Another incident in 2020 saw a 5-month-old in Hyogo Prefecture suffocate after getting trapped between a toddler bed guard and a mattress.
To maximize safety, NITE recommends the use of devices such as door stoppers, furniture anchors, and drawer locks, to prevent traumatic injuries such as being trapped under falling furniture.
The agency also stresses the importance of keeping items like curtain strings, electrical cords, and appliances for hot water out of children’s reach and advises checking the age suitability of products used around and by young children.
Bicycle-related incidents topped the list of outdoor accidents.
NITE also encourages caregivers to actively teach children to recognize and avoid hazards, ensuring they are aware of the risks present in different products and environments.