保育ほいく所しょ 幼稚園ようちえん 学童がくどう保育ほいくなどで大おおけがの事故じこ 去年きょねん3190さんぜんひゃくきゅうじゅう件けん 最多さいたに

Accidents in which children suffered serious injuries at daycare centers, kindergartens, and after-school care facilities totaled 3,190 last year, the highest number ever recorded, according to a summary by the Children and Families Agency.

According to the Children and Families Agency, the number of serious incidents such as child deaths or major injuries that occurred at licensed daycare centers, kindergartens, and after-school care facilities nationwide totaled 3,190 cases over the past year.

The number increased by 418 from the previous year, making it the highest since accident reporting became mandatory in 2015.

Looking at the breakdown by facility, licensed daycare centers are the most numerous with 1,449 cases, followed by after-school care with 761 cases, and certified childrens centers that integrate preschool and daycare with 618 cases, among others.

Looking at the types of injuries, bone fractures were the most common with 2,537 cases, accounting for about 80% of the total.

There were three fatal accidents, six fewer than the previous year. By age, there were two cases involving one-year-olds and one case involving a newborn.

The main causes of death were sudden infant death syndrome, suffocation, and illness, with one case each. The circumstances in which the accidents occurred were: two during sleep and one during a meal.

Regarding the factors behind the increase in the number of accidents, the Children and Families Agency states that, along with the rise in the number of children using after-school care, the number of children getting injured has also increased, and reports from facilities to local governments when accidents occur have become more thorough.

The Children and Families Agency plans to inform local governments about dangerous situations where fractures are likely to occur and preventive measures, and to promote efforts to prevent such accidents.