What is an accident? 

An accident is something unexpected that may cause injury and sometimes lead to death. 
Accidents may be difficult to predict and prevent. 


Below is a list of some common accidents at home and school: 

  • Bites e.g. snake bite, insect bite, scorpion bite and dog bite. 
  • Burns caused by hot liquids, cooking pot, lamps, hot food, steam, burning wood, charcoals and those caused by corrosive chemicals such as concentrated acids and strong alkalis. 
  • Falls, e.g. wall falls, tree falls, bed falling, etc. 
  • Cuts and scratches caused by knives, hoes, razor blades and other sharp objects. 
  • Choking caused by drinks, food or objects 
  • Electric shock due to unguarded electric outlets and lightning. 
  • Poisoning caused by taking chemicals and excessive intake of medicines. 
  • Foreign bodies in the eye, ear and nose 
  • Drowning which may occur in very small amount of water such as baths, ponds, pit latrines, wells and water tanks. 
  • Nose bleeding, bruises, suffocation, fainting etc. Home environment 

Home environment



A child crawling towards boiling water 



Ways of Preventing Accidents at Home and School. 

  • Medicines and potential poisonous chemicals should be kept out of reach of children. 
  • Children should be monitored closely when playing. 
  • Sharp objects like broken bottles, razor blades and any laboratory equipment should be well disposed of. 
  • Laboratory chemicals should be labelled and if possible appropriate warning signs should be indicated. 
  • One should not take medicine unless prescribed by the doctor. 
  • Bushes and tall grasses around the house should be cut to avoid harboring snakes, bees and other dangerous animals. 
  • Students should observe and adhere to laboratory rules. 
  • Walls and trees that are at a risk of falling should be dismantled or cut down respectively. 
  • Flammable substances should be properly kept. 
  • Pits dug around the house should be buried. Pools should be drained if possible and all water storage containers should be properly covered. 
  • Avoid using charcoal to warm oneself during night when sleeping as continued inhalation of carbon monoxide from the charcoal may lead to death 
  • Burning candles should be put off when sleeping. 
  • Players should adhere to game rules. 
  • Laboratory doors should open outwards for easy exit in case of fire. Emergence door is also necessary for this case. 
  • Equipment like hoes, axes and knives should be properly kept 
  • Turn off all the gas taps after experiment. 

Ways of maintaining peace and safety at home and school

  • Avoid risk behaviors such as playing near deep ponds, playing with knives, alcoholism etc. 
  • Dangerous things such as drugs should be kept away from children's reach 
  • Report any dangerous event that someone engages in. 
  • Be positive and supportive to each other. 
  • Social problems occurring at home or school should be solved keenly. 
  • One should be good to him/herself. 
  • Parents should give their children education on how to live and interact with others.