A TOP doctor today revealed that a casualty unit was being swamped with head injury patients.

Habib Dardouri said approximately 2,000 people with head injuries visit Blackburn Royal Infirmary's accident and emergency department every year.

Last week alone, 69 children and 117 adults were treated. Mr Dardouri, a consultant in the casualty unit, said many of the minor head injuries were preventable: "Children under five are usually hurt because of problems in the home. Children at that age tend to be very active and try to do new things without realising the danger. "They may get bumped because tables are more or less at their head level and we also see a lot of children who fall downstairs." Mr Dardouri, a father of two young sons and a six-year-old daughter, said he had turned his house into a child-proof home.

His safety devices include a kitchen table with rounded edges and a dining table covered with padding. He said: "Once my youngest son, Zakarya, fell right in front of my eyes. He was walking in front of me down the stairs carrying his blanket. Unfortunately, the blanket fell over the stairs so he couldn't see where to put his feet.

"I could see him rolling all the way down but he wasn't hurt. I think he would have had significant injuries but the stairs are carpeted, which can prevent falls being too serious."

He said children who use roller-skates or cycles should wear protective helmets, knee and elbow pads.

Mr Dardouri said if someone suffered a serious head injury they should call an ambulance immediately.

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