Child Safety Week is the Child Accident Prevention Trust’s annual community education campaign, acting as a catalyst for thousands of safety conversations and activities UK-wide. They help families build confidence and skills in managing the real risks to children’s safety.
They want all children to have the freedom to grow and learn, safe from serious harm. This year, Child Safety Week runs from Monday 6 to Sunday 12 June.
Who’s most at risk?
• 80% of accidents to under-fives are in the home
• Older children are at greater risk on the roads. Accidents peak at age 12
Here are a few of CAPT’s tips to protect children and prevent accidents
1. Breathe easy
Window blinds
Remember, children may climb and get higher than you think. Move bedroom furniture away from cords and chains.
Sleeping and slings
A clear cot is a safe cot – avoid duvets, pillows and cot bumpers.
Nappy sacks
Never store nappy sacks under the cot mattress.
Choking
Avoid popcorn, marshmallows and hard round sweets like mini eggs or boiled sweets.
2. Safe around roads
In the car
Make sure your car seat is the right one for your child’s height and weight for your car – not all seats fit all cars.
Cycling
Get your child into the habit of wearing their helmet. If you cycle as a family, remember to wear yours too.
Driving
Keep your phone in the glove compartment so it doesn’t distract you.
3. Safe from burns
Hot drinks
Try to get into the habit of putting your child down before you pick your your drink.
Hair straighteners
Keep straighteners and wands out of reach when you’re using them.
Magnetic toys
Buy from a reputable retailer or a brand name you know online or in-store, and avoid online marketplaces.
4. Watch out in water
Baths
Get everything you need ready before bath time because you’ll need to stay with your baby or young child all the time while they’re still in the bath.
At the beach
Inflatables can be swept out to sea when the wind is blowing – keep children off inflatables when the orange windsock is flying and always keep an eye on them.
In the garden
Turn your pond into a sandpit, or fence it or cover it while you children are little.
5. Free from falls
Stairs
Even before they’re mobile, babies are injured when the person carrying them falls. So keep a hand on the rail going up and down the stairs.
Highchairs
Get into the habit of using the straps on the highchair every time you use it.
Trampolines
The biggest risk from trampolines is having two people with very different weights. Let children take it in turns and avoid adults and children jumping together.
6. Fire safe families
Prevent fires
Cooking fires are the main cause of fires in the home – stay in the kitchen if children are cooking.
Plan your escape
Work out your escape route in case of a fire and practice it with your family.
Teach children what to do if they see a fire
To tell someone straight away – a grown-up if possible. Don’t try to put it our yourself. Get outside as quickly as possible. never go back inside for anything.
7. Prevent poisoning
Laundry products
When you’re shopping, look out for products with a bittering agent like Bitrex – it tastes so horrible, children spit it out instead of swallowing, preventing accidental poisoning.
Everyday painkillers
Watch out for painkillers left on the bedside table or in the handbag on the floor
Cleaning products
Don’t reply on safety caps – they slow children down but they’re not childproof.
For more tips on child safety and information on child safety week, visit capt.org.uk/Pages/Category/child-safety-week