Railway Safety Guidelines for Parents Emphasized by Doctors in Sverdlovsk
In the city of Yekaterinburg, a growing concern has arisen regarding the safety of children and teenagers near trains and railway tracks. Despite the convenience and efficiency of city tram transport, there have been rare cases of young people trying to ride on the external structures of trams, posing a significant risk to their safety.
This year, five cases of railway track injuries have been registered at Central City Clinical Hospital No. 23. Three other injuries occurred due to falling while the train was moving, either inside the wagon or while entering or exiting it. These incidents underscore the importance of adhering to safety guidelines and raising awareness about the potential dangers.
According to Araik Petrosyan, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Surgery at Children's City Clinical Hospital No. 9, one such case involved a nine-year-old boy who suffered severe combined injuries after trying to ride on the coupling of a tram. The boy underwent a long recovery and several surgeries, likely regretting his actions.
In light of these incidents, Alexander Savitsky, the chief out-of-hospital care specialist of the Ministry of Health of the Sverdlovsk region, provides advice on first aid in case of railway injuries. In such situations, it's crucial to stop bleeding by applying a tourniquet 5-7 cm above the wound or using a makeshift one if a tourniquet is not available. If the victim is conscious, talk to them and try to calm them down. If they're unconscious, turn them on their side. If there's no breathing or consciousness, start CPR.
However, the best course of action is prevention. No matter how rushed or late you are, it's only safe to cross tracks at designated points. Parents play a crucial role in instilling safe behavior in their children. By educating them about the dangers, setting clear rules, and reinforcing safe habits consistently, parents can significantly reduce the risks children and teenagers face around trains and railway tracks.
Injury is especially likely when crossing tracks in front of an approaching train, especially if distracted by mobile phones or headphones. Medical professionals remind parents that children may not fully understand the serious consequences of their actions and sometimes put their lives at risk in pursuit of trends and adrenaline.
To foster safe behavior around trains and tracks, parents can educate children repeatedly about the importance of stopping, looking both ways, listening, and obeying all signs and signals near tracks. They can set clear, consistent rules about never playing near or on tracks, never crossing tracks except at designated crossings, and never trying to beat a train at a crossing.
By combining education, rule-setting, supervision, and community awareness programs, parents can significantly reduce the risks children and teenagers face around trains and railway tracks and instill lifelong safe practices. Let's work together to ensure the safety of our children and promote a culture of rail safety in our communities.
The concern for children's safety in Yekaterinburg extends beyond trains to their involvement in health-and-wellness, as shown by Araik Petrosyan's report of a nine-year-old boy who sustained severe injuries trying to ride on a tram's coupling. To promote health and wellness, it's essential to educate children about the dangers associated with these actions, much like the importance of educating them about rail safety.
Parents must recognize that their guidance plays a significant role in shaping children's behavior, not just around trains, but also in areas like health-and-wellness practices, ensuring they understand the implications of their actions and adopt safe habits.
