Summer holidays are very exciting for children, because the school days are over and they can spend every day with their friends. However, this time also comes with a certain amount of concern for doctors and insurers, as it is during the summer that the rate of injuries among children increases significantly. The data collected by the joint stock insurance company BTA Baltic Insurance Company (hereinafter - BTA) shows that it is children aged 10 to 13 years old who are injured most frequently (30 %). The most common are hand injuries (34 %), followed by foot injuries (25 %) and head injuries (17 %). BTA reminds parents that summer holidays do not mean that children can be sent to the countryside in order for parents to have a holiday themselves. Summer is the time to take care of children's safety, and the best solution is to educate your children on how to avoid the risk factors of injuries.
 

This year, the injury rate among children has also increased because of the unexpectedly early and lasting warm weather, as children spend a lot of time in playgrounds, riding bicycles, skateboarding or roller skating. Unfortunately, they get carried away and forget about safety or it just doesn’t cross their minds. Most of the injuries are due to the lack of protective equipment when riding bicycles, roller skating or skateboarding. By not paying attention to safety, most children are exposed to injuries such as arm fractures, leg fractures, head injuries, grazed knees and elbows, busted lips etc.
 

Ivo Danče, BTA Baltic Insurance Risks Underwriting Department Director: "We have observed that using a scooter on a ramp causes very serious injuries. Another very dangerous activity is the trampoline, as children tend to also use it in wet weather conditions when it is slippery. Trampolines should not be used without a safety net! Special attention is also needed when relaxing close to water bodies. Therefore, it is very important that parents remind both themselves and their children that safety must be considered at all times, not only when crossing streets, roads or railways."
 

It is not rare that children find themselves in situations where they are taken to hospital with serious injuries due to their forgetfulness or negligence. BTA invites parents to remind their children about the rules that must be observed when participating in road traffic or crossing the street, and also about being cautious in bathing areas, yards and playgrounds. In addition, when purchasing a bicycle, skateboard or roller skates for a child, it is also necessary to purchase protective equipment. In turn, the child should be reminded that a helmet should always be worn. It often turns out that at the time of injury, the child did not have any protection. The reason being that they don’t use it or don’t have it at all.
 

"The insurance market is showing a positive trend though. Although medical help for children is free of charge in Latvia, parents often decide to insure their children against accidents. They purchase insurance in summer when their child goes to camps and on trips. They also purchase accident insurance. Moreover, parents are aware of the fact that children are independent and active, so in an unforeseen situation they will, for example, be able to receive compensation for covering unforeseen medical expenses,” says Ivo Danče.
 

About BTA

BTA Baltic Insurance Company is one of the leading insurance companies in the Baltics, offering the broadest range of non-life insurance services in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. BTA employs more than 1 000 employees in the Baltics. The largest shareholder of BTA is Vienna Insurance Group AG with 200 years of experience in the insurance industry. More than 50 companies in 25 countries constitute the group, which employs 25,000 employees. Vienna Insurance Group AG is a clear leader in its core markets in Europe maintaining high rating of financial stability – Standard & Poor’s A+ (stable outlook), with a listing on the Vienna and the Prague Stock Exchange.

Additional information:

Elīna Rasmane

Marketing and Public Relations Department Director

BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS

e-mail: elina.rasmane@bta.lv