Hot water burns are the most common injuries among children treated at Greater Accra Regional Hospital, according to the facility’s Medical Director, Dr. Leslie Issa Adam-Zakaria.
Speaking at the launch of the Child Health and Safety Organisation in Accra, he said many of the cases seen at the hospital’s emergency and burns units are linked to children being exposed to boiling water at home. Some fall into hot water in kitchens, while others are splashed during bathing or cooking.
He said beyond burns, the hospital also records cases of children falling from heights, being knocked down by motorbikes while crossing roads, or ingesting harmful substances such as caustic soda and acids mistakenly taken as drinks. In some instances, children suffer injuries after falling into open gutters.
Dr. Adam-Zakaria stressed that most of these cases are preventable, pointing to weak safety practices at home and in communities. He said simple steps such as keeping hot liquids out of children’s reach, properly storing chemicals, and improving supervision could significantly reduce the risks.
Founder of the Child Health and Safety Organisation, Samuel Frimpong, said the initiative was driven by a personal experience after his child suffered severe burns at home. He said during their stay at the hospital, several other children with similar injuries were admitted, with some deaths recorded, which exposed the scale of the problem.
He said this pushed him to act, leading to the creation of the organisation to focus on prevention through research, education, advocacy, and partnerships. According to him, the initiative also uses storytelling and child-friendly methods to teach safety habits early, helping children understand risks and how to avoid them.
Dr. Adam-Zakaria added that tackling the issue will require sustained public education and stronger collaboration between health institutions, communities, and organisations working in child safety.
