Accident risks for suburban preschool Jordanian children

This exploratory investigation of child accidents in suburban Jordan 1988-1991 indicated that children were daily exposed to fire, drugs, and chemical agents, and played in dangerous places. Children under 2 years of age were frequently burned, and those slightly older injured through falls and cuts. Boys were more accident-prone than girls in accordance with practically all previous world-wide studies. The overall accident picture was similar to European reports from 50 years ago. Many environmental hazards could be explained as being a consequence of relative poverty, but parent's awareness of accident risks for children was low, even among well educated people. Strategies to diminish accident risks for pre-school children are suggested.