XN000022-1992-11-19 — Page 19

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1992

MRS PATTEN GIVES CHILD SAFETY TIPS TO PARENTS

MRS PATTEN TODAY (THURSDAY) MADE A FEW SUGGESTIONS TO PARENTS ABOUT PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

"AS A MOTHER, I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THE ADAGE * PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE', SHE SAID.

*

ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONFERENCE ON INJURY PREVENTION IN CHILDHOOD CO-ORGANISED BY THE HONG HONG CHILDHEALTH FOUNDATION AND HONG KONG PAEDIATRIC SOCIETY, MRS PATTEN POINTED OUT THAT MANY ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CHILDREN WERE CAUSED THROUGH LACK OF FORESIGHT OR IGNORANCE AMONG PARENTS.

PARENTS SHOULD TRY TO STOP THEIR CHILDREN GETTING HOLD OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OBJECTS AND MUST MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CARING OF THEIR CHILDREN IF THEY HAVE TO GO OUT, SHE ADDED.

||

"IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS THAT PROPER FENCING SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN BALCONIES AND WINDOWS, SHE SAID.

MRS PATTEN RECALLED THAT 16 YEARS AGO, ONE OF HER DAUGHTERS HAD AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH HER HAND WAS BURNT ON AN ELECTRIC FIRE.

"AS A RESULT I MET OTHER PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN HAD SUFFERED ACCIDENTIAL INJURIES MINOR AND SERIOUS.

ALSO

"I REALISED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO EDUCATE PARENTS OTHER CARERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS TO THEIR CHILDREN IN AND OF THE HOME," SHE SAID.

AND

OUT

RECOGNISING THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MOTHERS IN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, MRS PATTEN SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR DAY-CARE FACILITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WHO COULD NOT BE CARED FOR BY THEIR PARENTS DURING THE DAY.

"I AM GLAD TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE PLANS TO EXPAND THE PROVISION OF DAY CRECHES, DAY NURSERIES AND OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICES OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, SHE ADDED.

**

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES ARE NOW PROMOTING THE CONCEPT OF MUTUAL HELP AMONG FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS ARE ENCOURAGED TO GROUP TOGETHER ΤΟ HELP EACH OTHER.

"A HAPPY HOME SHOULD ALSO BE A SAFE ONE. EVERY CHILD SHOULD HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GROW UP IN," SHE SAID.

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