A child was injured in an explosion in Sumy region: dangerous objects are increasingly becoming a threat to children
During war, there are many cases when children find unknown objects on the street, in the forest, near abandoned buildings or on the roadside. They perceive them as an interesting thing, a toy or a metal find, and then touch, carry or bring them home, not realizing that such objects can be parts of ammunition, drone fragments, grenades, mines or other explosive remnants of war.
Tragic incident in Sumy region
As reported by the National Police of Sumy region, a 12-year-old boy was injured by the explosion of an unknown object that he found and took home. The incident occurred in one of the settlements of Romensky district.
According to preliminary information from the police, the child found a suspicious object in the forest, brought it home, after which it exploded when the boy was nearby. As a result of the explosion, the child received injuries.
The victim was hospitalized to a medical facility, where he is receiving the necessary assistance. Law enforcement officers worked at the scene, establishing the circumstances of the incident and the origin of the object that detonated.
Why such cases are especially dangerous for children
Children often cannot correctly assess the risk when they see an unfamiliar metal object, fragment, box, tube, cylinder or part of a mechanism. In wartime, even a small find can be explosive, and the appearance does not always make it possible to understand that there is a charge or dangerous elements inside.
The greatest danger arises when a child picks up an object, tries to disassemble it, throw it, carry it, put it in a backpack or show it to friends. Any mechanical action, impact, heating or attempt to open the find can cause an explosion.
In Ukraine, after shelling, hostilities and the movement of military equipment, unexploded ammunition, rocket fragments, drone parts, grenades, mines and other objects remain that can explode due to touch or movement. Forests, fields, plantings, banks of reservoirs, abandoned buildings, roads near former positions and areas where there were flights remain particularly risky.
Similar incidents occur in different regions, because children can find dangerous objects while walking, playing, fishing, picking mushrooms or returning from school. The problem is that for a child such an object may seem unusual and interesting, while for sappers it is a potential source of deadly danger.
What parents should explain to children
Parents should regularly talk to their children about suspicious objects, even if the family lives far from the front line. The child should clearly know that any unknown object on the ground should not be touched, lifted, carried, beaten, disassembled, photographed up close, or brought home.
It is necessary to separately explain that not only mines or grenades can be dangerous, but also metal fragments, wires, boxes, packages, toys, phones, flashlights, cans, pipes, drone parts, or any objects lying in an unusual place. The child should leave the find the same way they came, warn adults, and do not let other children into the area.
If a child or an adult sees a suspicious object, they should stop, not approach it, not touch it, and not try to check what it is. After that, you should move to a safe distance, remember the place, mark it from a distance if possible, and notify the police, rescuers, or local authorities.
It is important for adults to teach children a simple rule: if you find an unfamiliar object, do not touch it, move away, and tell an adult. This explanation should be repeated at home, at school, and during walks, because in wartime, being attentive to suspicious objects can save lives.
