Parental Awareness of Accidents Prevention Strategies towards the Physical Wellbeing of Preschool Children in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State

This study aimed at assessing parental awareness of accidents prevention strategies towards the physical wellbeing of preschool children in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State. A quantitative survey design was used for the study. A non-proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 600 respondents who were parents with children between the ages of 1-6 years old in Port Harcourt local government area. A simple random sampling technique was also used to select 6 towns that participated in the study. Data was collected through a questionnaire and then analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences. Respondents from the study were aware to a high extent that disallowing faulty balconies/rails where little preschoolers are can prevent dangerous falls; living in houses with windows shield will protect preschoolers; disallowing faulty electrical outlets in the home can save preschoolers from accidents; and avoiding careless storage of sharp objects in the home can prevent cuts among preschoolers. They also showed high extent of awareness that teaching preschoolers the dangers of playing around fires; teaching parents the rudiments of safety for preschoolers; teaching preschoolers the dangers of playing with sharp objects, and teaching preschoolers the dangers of playing around pools can help prevent avoidable injuries. The result also showed high extent of awareness that avoiding wrong placing of kerosene stove or gas cylinders within the reach of preschoolers; avoiding smoking in the presence of children can reduce the risk of preschoolers attempting the act of smoking, and parents who are more careful in home arrangement and storage of objects can prevent accidents among preschoolers. This study therefore reveals adequate environmental consciousness by parents; adequate teaching on safety measures and effective behaviour management are significant strategies for home accident prevention among parents for the physical wellbeing of preschool children.