Thanks to the skillful and intelligent handling of the father, his 3-year-old son was fortunate to protect his own eyes.
The safety of a child is always the top concern for parents, but they cannot be by their child’s side 24/7 or foresee every potential danger. Therefore, equipping oneself with basic medical knowledge and first aid techniques to handle unforeseen accidents involving children is crucial.
In daily life, dangers persist all around us, accidents can occur at any time, but with knowledge and understanding, a father in Jiangsu, China, was fortunate enough to rescue his 3-year-old son from permanent blindness.
3-year-old boy Xiao Ming from Jiangsu is very mischievous and active despite his father being at home, keeping a close watch on him. However, the child still encountered a minor accident inside their own home. Xiao Ming’s father stated that on that day, he was taking care of the child while his wife was at work. Being cautious, he had put away all potentially dangerous items, out of Xiao Ming’s reach. However, the most crucial item, which caused the unfortunate incident, was beyond the father’s control.
Thinking everything was safe, Xiao Ming’s father casually used his phone while disregarding his son rummaging through the closet, as this was the boy’s hobby, and the father assumed the child was behaving. Unfortunately, the boy found a bottle of 502 glue hidden deep in the corner of the closet. Xiao Ming opened the lid, causing the glue to spill out, accidentally squirting into his eye, frightening the child and making him cry out in fear.
At that moment, Xiao Ming’s father rushed over and, upon seeing the bottle of 502 glue in his son’s hand, understood the situation. He promptly fetched water, rinsed the spilled glue, and used saline solution to wash his son’s eyes. This quick thinking prevented serious consequences for Xiao Ming’s eyes.
After administering first aid, the father hurriedly took his child to the nearby hospital. Upon learning that the father had initially treated his son’s eye with saline solution, the doctor exclaimed, “You did a great job! Your actions have saved your child!”
According to the doctor, the reason saline solution can alleviate the serious impact of the 502 glue on the eye is that water helps dilute the glue, while the salt content reduces the harm to the skin caused by the glue solution.
Experts advise that if 502 glue accidentally splashes into the eye, prompt and proper first aid should be administered, followed by seeking immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital for examination and timely treatment.
- Immediately rinse the eyes with plenty of clean water for several minutes. It’s possible to immerse the eyes in a basin or a container of water, but it’s best to rinse them under a continuous flow of running water to ensure the eyes are constantly in contact with fresh and clean water.
- Limit blinking because the glue is hardening, and frequent blinking might damage the surface of the eyeballs.
- Use a clean cloth soaked in cold water, squeeze it gently, and then apply it to both eyes. It’s advisable to have the patient lie down.
- Take the patient to the nearest medical facility promptly. It’s necessary to visit the ophthalmology department for examination. Observation of the condition of the cornea under specialized lighting should be done to remove any remaining glue, followed by administering antibiotic eye drops.
The most important aspect when dealing with 502 glue in the eyes is the urgency of treatment. The quicker the response, the lesser the eye is likely to be damaged. Avoid excessive blinking as the adhesive particles might scratch the eyelid and cornea. Do not attempt to handle it with any chemicals to prevent further harm to the eyes. Absolutely avoid self-treatment at home using folk remedies.
For families with young children, aside from 502 glue, here are items that should be kept well out of reach:
- Lighters: Usually, fathers scatter lighters everywhere, thinking they are harmless. However, if a young child accidentally picks one up, puts it in their mouth, or ignites it, the outcome could be unpredictable. Lighters pose a high risk of fire and explosion, so they should be kept well away from the reach of young children.
- Toothpicks and sharp objects: A toothpick might seem harmless due to its small size, but when children handle it, poking here and there, it becomes very dangerous. Children may not fully comprehend the danger and often mimic adults by using toothpicks, which they might put in their mouths, leading to ingestion and potentially perforating the stomach.
- Food desiccant packets: These seem to be the most useless items, often found in the packaging of various products. Avoid keeping these within reach of children because they might mistake them for candy or food, leading to ingestion and posing a hazard.
- Small toy components: Almost every household has children’s toys, and during play, small parts can come loose. Parents should be particularly attentive to this and opt for larger toys to prevent children from grasping and swallowing small parts, which could lead to airway obstruction.
Do not assume that young children know nothing. Repeat a few times to leave a lasting impression on the child about the safety of various objects. Instilling this concept will help children differentiate what is safe to eat and what should not be put into their mouths.
