According to Huang, her teachers show the students safety videos, but do not offer in-depth explanations of problems or dangerous situations.

Cui Minyan, chief representative of the China office of Safe Kids Worldwide, said, "If this is a reflection of the situation regarding safety education in one of China's most-vibrant cities, it is understandable that improvements are urgently needed in other regions."

Education matters

This year, 25 children from several schools have been selected to attend the eight classes, and they will be expected to pass on the knowledge they gain to their peers, the hospital authorities said.

The number of participants is limited to ensure that every child has the chance to engage in the scenarios so they will fully understand the safety procedures being taught and can pass on that knowledge.

In addition, the lectures are shown in real time online, so parents and children can watch them together and learn how to avoid accidents and deal with the consequences if they do occur.

The classes are provided during July and August because the summer vacation is the peak season for accidents involving children, as a result of their greater exposure to unfamiliar activities at home and in the community.

Children generally believe their homes are safe but actually nearly half of all accidents happen in the home, far more than in the community or on the roads, according to Zheng, who quoted national CDC data.

"Therefore, it's of great importance that children spend time learning how to avoid potential safety hazards, such as cluttered floors, bathtubs filled with hot water, cooking pots containing boiling liquids, or electrical appliances," she said.

She noted that people are paying greater attention to safety issues, and called on clinicians to play a role in providing authoritative education.

"We must provide information about cases we deal with every day to raise children's level of vigilance," she said.