Bush knives (machetes) are household items here. They are used to cut grass, weeds, sticks, banana trees, fire wood, and much more. Everyone has one and use it often. When I walk to work it isn't uncommon to see kids carrying them as they go to school. At times, pts even have them under their pants in the exam room. Small kids also use knives and bush knives like they are toys. Thankfully, the majority of times, the kids don't get injured when using them, but some times they do. Adults are often injured with them, as they are the weapon of choice in chopchop injuries.
Today I saw 2 kids, almost one right after the other who had eye injuries from a bush knife. The girl (on the left) was cutting wood and somehow managed to hit her eye. I don't really know how that is possible, but that is what they said. Unfortunately, she can't see from her eye now, and I am not sure she will be able to. The first kid I saw was probably 5, and the dad said another girl accidentally hit him in the eye with a bush knife. Thankfully, he was able to see out of his eye, but was going to court to demand compensation. Bush knife safety classes are something the people could consider here, like they do in the States with hunter safety classes, especially considering the number of injuries and accidents that occur with them.
