Four children died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a house fire last month. According to the Civil Protection and Emergencies Service, the figure coincides with the number of children who perished in fires throughout 2015. The National Patrolling Inspectorate said the number of children who died in road accidents in 2015 was practically at the same level as in 2014, IPN reports.

The data were presented in a debate organized by the Regionalization of Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care Services in the Republic of Moldova Project (REPEMOL). The discussions centered on the identification of methods of disseminating 16 short graphic films about how to prevent household and road accidents.

The Service’s press officer Liliana Puscasu said the four children died in a house fire in Trinca village of Edinet district. The fires occur mainly because the rules when using stoves are not observed and due to the use of improvised electrical appliances. “The natural gas-fueled installations are a source of carbon monoxide poisonings. The careless use of sources of fire is also among the causes of fires, especially in rural areas,” she stated.

Twenty-one of the over 400 children who were involved in accidents on the national roads in 2015 died. The largest number of accidents that resulted in the death of minors was recorded in June and September. More than 100 children were seriously hurt, while 265 suffered minor injuries. Compared with 2014, the number of children involved in traffic accidents decreased slightly.

The adults can find out how they can protect the children from poisonings and accidents on the website www.parinti.md and following the awareness-raising campaign aimed at preventing accidents involving children, which is carried out within REPEMOL. The project is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by the Center for Health Policies and Services.