Children’s awareness and understanding of dangers at home

Developmental and social factors in Nigerian children's accidents

“…Studies of perceptual development and its relation to accidents typically assume that some hazards, dangers or potential accidents can be foreseen and accidents are then the result of failure to perceive the potential danger and to take counteractive measures. Children's ability to perceive danger has been found to increase with age (Grieve & Williams 1985, Coppens 1986, Pfeffer 1989). However, these results are sometimes difficult to relate to accident statistics (Pfeffer 1989).…”

“…Children's ability to perceive danger has been found to increase with age (Grieve & Williams 1985, Coppens 1986, Pfeffer 1989). However, these results are sometimes difficult to relate to accident statistics (Pfeffer 1989). In Nigeria, the notion that potential accidents can be forseen should take into account belief systems which, to some extent, are based on the influence of external causes of events (Anazonwu & Ugwuegbu 1986).…”

“…The ability to understand cause-effect relationships has also been implicated; that is, children do not understand dangerous (or safe) behaviour until they can understand the link between cause and effect (Faber & Ward 1977, Coppens 1986). Pfeffer (1989) found that, although children's ability to perceive danger was generally good, their understanding of the effects of particular dangers and the consequences of dangerous behaviours was much poorer and often erroneous. In Nigeria, perceived causes may be related to external factors leading to culture-specific interpretations of causeeffect relationships.…”

Children's Perceptions of Dangerous Substances

“…Regarding dangerous substances, previous research has shown children's knowledge and awareness of the health and safety aspects of different substances is variable, and may underestimate the seriousness of potential harm (e.g., Pfeffer, 1989;Houghton, et al, 1998). The aim of this investigation was to examine children's recognition, awareness, and understanding of a range of commonly encountered harmful substances (medicine, alcohol, solvents).…”