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Paramedic issues grim warning about innocent summer item that could prove fatal to toddlers and young children
- Paramedic Nikki Jurcutz shared a warning about empty skies with melting ice
- He said all young children need is 20 seconds and a few inches of water to drown.
A paramedic has issued a warning about the innocent summer item that could prove fatal to children during the summer months, and why 20 seconds is all it takes for a horrible accident to happen.
Nikki Jurcutz, who works as a paramedic, mother, and executive director of a parenting organization. Tiny hearts educationshared a video demonstrating how an open esky or picnic box filled with melting ice is a “drowning hazard” for babies and children.
The reason is because young children want to look inside, fall, and then drown, all within 20 seconds.
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A paramedic issued a warning about the innocent summer item that could prove fatal to children during the summer months, and why 20 seconds is all it takes for a horrible accident to happen (Nikki Jurcutz pictured)
Nikki shared a video illustrating how an open esky or picnic box filled with melting ice is a “drowning hazard” for babies and children (pictured), as they only need a small amount of water to drown.
“This is a choking hazard,” Nikki said in the video, standing next to an empty picnic box filled with melting ice.
20 seconds and a few inches of water is all it takes for a small child to drown. Always put the lid on when in use.
She added: “Turn it over when you’re done and keep your little one safe.”
Queensland Government Health highlighted empty eskies, buckets and pet food bowls as three of the most unexpected drowning hazards in the home.
Drowning is the most common form of accidental death for children aged 0 to 5 in Australia, with nearly half of those deaths associated with swimming pools, the experts noted.
However, other smaller bodies of water, including those found in empty eskies, pet water bowls, and buckets, also pose a significant threat.
“The reason these items are dangerous for young children is because they are curious and it’s a matter of physical development: a young child’s head is heavier than the rest of their body, which means they can easily fall on a container when they are exploring.’ said Queensland Health.
“Young children under the age of four are less likely to struggle or cry than older children, which means they can drown before anyone realizes something is wrong.”
Queensland Government Health highlighted empty eskies, buckets and pet food bowls as three of the most unexpected choking hazards in the home (pictured)
Thousands of people who saw Nikki’s video rushed to thank her for sharing the life-saving advice.
‘So true. My friend was a paramedic and had to go to a scene where a little boy drowned in an esky,” wrote one commenter.
‘It literally happened to me the other day, someone left the esky back open, my little one was trying to touch the water and he fell face down into the esky. Luckily I was outside watching,” added another.
A third wrote: “And people always ask me why I keep the toilet, bathroom and laundry room closed with twin boys.”