The study is based on 18,919 intake records from the emergency departments at the Prince of Wales Hospital, United Christian Hospital and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. These findings were submitted to the Health Services Research Committee in 2004 by Chow Chun-bong, chairman of the Hong Kong Childhood Injury Prevention and Research Association.

Dr Chow is also the consultant paediatrician at Princess Margaret Hospital and the consultant in charge of the department of paediatrics, Caritas Medical Centre.

He has been researching childhood injury tirelessly since 1991 and is collaborating with various parties to promote active prevention strategies, including lobbying the government to establish a child safety council.

In the latest study conducted by Dr Chow through the Princess Margaret Hospital's injury surveillance system, about 5,300 victims aged up to 18 were admitted to its emergency department last year. An average of 14 children visited the ward a day, of which two needed to be kept in hospital for a day. Each year it costs HK$33million to treat these victims. Various studies found that home hazards were preventable and had no direct link to social or economic circumstances. They could happen to families from any income group.

Dr Chow says that the main cause of injuries is falls, followed by accidents either in the kitchen or bathroom. Burns and scalds come third. Most falls are from bunk beds. This is a typical situation because of the limited space available in small homes. Many victims are under the age of 10.

'Of serious concern is younger victims such as toddlers, whose heads are heavier than their bodies and, in most cases, their head falls first and the injury could then be disastrous. The worst cases involve concussion, brain injury and bone fracture,' Dr Chow explains.

Many older children are injured by bouncing on sofas. In one case a victim cut his neck on a piece of shattered glass after he hit his head on a table. Other cases involve children falling from chairs and tables.

Injuries in kitchens and bathrooms are usually more serious. The victims slip on wet floors or hit hard, sharp objects.

Dr Chow says one case of scalding was when a child's bottom was burnt after his caretaker forgot to test the water temperature of his bath.

'The water temperature was over 70 degrees Celsius and he was dipped into the water for just one second, but people don't realise this already results in a third-degree burn. The injury not only scarred him, but caused him enormous pain whenever he excreted.'

Another type of scalding injury usually occurs when a child pulls a tablecloth off a table, causing a hot meal on the table to fall on the child's head and face. Other injuries involve the crushing of fingers and limbs by folded chairs, tables and the shutting of doors and drawers.

Dr Chow knows of at least eight children who died from being trapped in folded furniture - these cases had to be heard in a coroner's court to determine the cause of death. Hospital Authority figures show that among children under the age of 12 from six hospital emergency wards in the second half of 2005, 68 were accidentally poisoned and in the whole of last year 92 were accidentally poisoned. Dr Chow estimates that there are about 10 to 20 cases involving children swallowing objects every year, resulting in one to two deaths. He says peanuts, pieces of balloon and film-like plastic chips cannot be detected by X-ray and can stick in a child's throat and block the trachea.

'Children are curious and those aged between two and three are particularly active. Those under 12 don't have a strong sense of alertness and awareness of how serious injuries can be. Although they are warned, they still believe that they cannot be hurt. There is no better way of preventing all these things from happening than by looking after your children all the time.'

He says few parents of injured children are willing to change the layout of their homes to avoid further accidents. But in one case, he remembers, a mother spent money intended for a holiday to buy a twin bed to replace a bunk bed which had caused her child to be injured.

Becky Lee Pik-kei, assistant supervisor of The Boys and Girls' Club Association of Hong Kong Jockey Club Cheung Sha Wan Children & Youth integrated Service Centre, says recent childhood injury episodes show that some parents' awareness of home hazards is still low. She wants the government and voluntary organisations to make the public more aware of the dangers.

'Parents should understand that, whatever support services are available, they must take the final responsibility in looking after their children. If they must leave them alone at home, the most convenient way is to seek help from neighbours, with whom they should have a good relationship,' Ms Lee advises.

'Parents can also educate their children through guessing games by asking hypothetical questions about what they will do if an accident happens at home. But, because accidents often happen quickly, parents must watch their children all the time.'

Housewife Candy Fung, a mother of two daughters aged six and eight, says from day one when her first girl was born she was already considering home safety measures.

'I locked up everything that could endanger them. I understand the serious consequences of childhood injury. So as they grew older, I spent more time explaining to them what things they should not touch at home. I also sent them to workshops to learn about home safety.'

The time, energy and devotion Ms Fung spent, dedicating herself to looking after her girls, has been enormous. But, she says, 'It's the price all parents must pay to ensure their children's safety.'

Prevention tips from Dr Chow

Babies should sleep in a crib or a cot. If this is not possible, barriers should be placed around the lower bunk bed to prevent them from falling. But this is only safe for infants under six months, as older ones are able to climb and still face the risk of falling.

If a child swallows an object or chemicals, don't make them drink other fluids which might make the chemicals spread further.

Install a small gate at the kitchen entrance to prevent toddlers from entering and touching a hot oven, stove, food and liquid.

Do not use tablecloths that children can easily pull onto themselves along with a hot dish

Pour cold water into the bath first before adding hot water. Always test the water yourself before placing a child in the bath.

Don't reheat milk in a microwave because the temperature of the milk will be inconsistent. Microwaves also kill the protein in milk.

Never leave your child unattended.