❖ Nothing is more tragic than a healthy child dying of a freak accident. On hindsight, the parents realise that the tragedy could have been averted, if only they had been more careful. An immense feeling of guilt haunts them throughout their lives. For such parents, it is important to know that medical science doesn’t put any blame on them. Such mishaps are destined by fate and one should not question the wisdom or the unfathomable ways of the ALMIGHTY. Such mishaps can happen to anyone. Retrospectively it is always easy to be wiser, but can anyone foresee or predict such a tragedy? The answer is an emphatic no.
❖ Children, particularly below 3 years have little sense of danger or self-preservation and thus are wholly dependent on adult supervision for their safety.
❖ Guidelines for prevention of accidents are discussed in this chapter. The purpose is “a wake up call” for the parents. I believe the best guideline is common sense of parents, who should have a nose for trouble and a sense of anticipation for a potential mishap.
❖ The parents cannot act as a 24-hour sentry to their child. Excessive concerns about safety will make them paranoid. The child’s freedom and natural instincts will also be stifled. If you surround the child with all types of don’ts, the child is just like a caged animal. In spite of all precautions, you can only reduce the risk but cannot prevent accidents completely. Destiny always has a role to play. So don’t have excessive concerns about safety bordering on irrationality or obsession. Just take normal precautions, without stifling the child.