Child Safety
Child Safety Week 23rd – 29th June 2008
The Child Accident Prevention Trust launched a new campaign in conjunction with the recent Child Safety Week, with the theme ‘Make a change. Make a difference.’, encouraging parents to think about all the little changes they could make in their lives and homes to make a big difference in protecting the safety of their children.
They are enforcing their campaign with some very powerful and shocking statistics due to an alarming number of parents being aware of the dangers to their children, but not putting general knowledge of safety precautions into practice to protect them.
The statistics show that children from poorer families are much more likely to have an accident in the home than those from wealthier families. This is one of the reasons the Child Accident Prevention Trust will spend £18 million over the next three years to provide home safety equipment to families from poorer backgrounds, and those they feel need help most. The campaign will include a range of new television and radio adverts stressing the importance of safety in the home. They will also give information on spotting potential hazards in homes with small children and how to access good home safety schemes in their area.
According to their survey of over 1,000 parents of children under five:
Over 500 children are being taken to accident and emergency for scalds and burns every week - hot drinks are the most common cause.
Around 140 children a week are admitted to hospital because they have swallowed something poisonous.
Almost 800 children every week have falls down steps or stairs resulting in A&E treatment.
Nearly 40 children each week fall from buildings. Last year this resulted in the deaths of 7 young children.
Key Safety Recommendations·
Keep hot drinks away from young children, they can still scald a child’s skin 15 minutes after you’ve made it.·
Fit window safety catches and stair gates as soon as your baby starts to crawl.·
Keep poisonous products, such as medicines and cleaning products, way out of sight or reach.
Get gas appliances checked every year and install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
Keep electrical appliances away from any contact with water and ensure outlets are suitable covered and safe.
Teach children the importance of fire safety, how to dial 999, and plan and practice an escape route in case of emergencies.
Keep your little ones safe and sound in and around your home. Stop to think of things from your young child’s perspective and cover all angles of safety.
To find out more information and advice you can visit:
http://www.capt.org.uk/ – Child Accident Prevention Trust.
www.direct.gov.uk/childsafety - Government advice and information for Child Safety Week.
Other great links include:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/ – The Department of Health.
http://www.fireangel.co.uk/ – Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm manufacturer.
http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/ - The Department for Transport.
Statistics found on http://www.hassandlass.org.uk/
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