Child Safety Week takes place from the 5th of June to 11th of June this year. The Child Accident Prevention Trust runs an annual week to focus on educating parents and professionals who work with children on how to prevent accidents. It’s about keeping children safe and minimising risk, whilst giving children the freedom to grow and learn. The theme for Child Safety Week 2023 is Safety Made Simple.
Safe From Burns
- Hot drinks can remain hot enough to scald even up to 15 minutes after they have been made. Keep drinks out of reach of little hands, and never hold a hot drink at the same time as holding your child.
- Bath water can scald your little one too. Always fill the bath with cold water first, and top with hot water. Always test the temperature before letting your child get into the bath.
- When you’re cooking, always try to use the back rings, and keep small kitchen appliances like kettles to the back of the worktop. If possible, keep children out of the kitchen when you’re cooking.
- Button batteries can burn if they’re ingested and get stuck, so always make sure that loose batteries are kept out of reach. Dispose of used batteries quickly and keep objects with easy access to batteries out of reach.
Safe From Poisonous Substances
- Ingesting laundry products is extremely dangerous. Keep laundry products high and away from children, or in a lockable cupboard.
- Medicines can also pose a danger so all medicines should be kept out of the reach of children. If you keep painkillers or medicines in your bag, make sure to keep it out of the reach of children.
- Many of us keep cleaning products under the sink, so either add a child lock to the cupboard to keep them safe or move them to a high cupboard out of reach.
Safe From Falls
- Even small babies can wriggle until they can make their way off cots, beds and changing tables. Consider changing nappies on the floor, and make sure that they are never left unattended when on a raised surface or changing table.
- Use stair gates to prevent falls.
- If you’re carrying a baby down or up some stairs, wherever possible, keep one hand on the rail.
- Make sure not to leave toys or furniture that can be used for climbing near windows, or beds.
- Have safety catches or locks fitted on all windows.
- If you have a trampoline, make sure that it has a safety net or cage.
Safe From Choking
- Cut round foods in half lengthways or quarter them.
- Cut hard foods into strips.
- Keep small toys out of reach.
- Store nappy sacks and plastic bags out of reach.
- Have cord-free blinds fitted to windows. Alternatively, tie blind cords up so they are out of reach.
- High strength magnets are also very dangerous if swallowed. These magnets are often found in toys, so always be aware of loose pieces on toys.
Safe Near Water
- Never leave children unattended in or around water.
- Use a bath seat in the bath for small babies.
- Have everything ready for bath time before putting your little one in.
- Empty paddling pools after use.
- Fence or cover ponds and hot tubs.
- Teach children about the risks of swimming at the beach. Explain how they should only swim between the safety flags.
Safe On The Road
- Teach young children to always hold your hand or use walking reins.
- Teach the Green Cross Code. This involves 6 key steps: thinking about where the safest place is to cross the road, stopping on the pavement, looking and listening for traffic, waiting to see if anything is coming, looking and listening again as you cross the road and arriving alive once you have safely reached the other side.
- Older children may need to practise a walking route as they begin to walk independently.
- Remind them not to use their phone when crossing the road.
- Always make sure children are appropriately restrained with a car seat or seat belt when travelling by car.
- When cycling, always make sure that your children have a properly fitting helmet.
Safe From Fire
- Check your home for fire safety. Make sure that you have appropriate fire extinguishers and fire blankets in your home.
- Check your smoke alarm every month.
- Check to make sure that electrical sockets aren’t overloaded.
- Keep matches, lighters and candles out of reach of children.
- Work out an escape plan with your family. Practise it so that everyone knows what to do, and where to be in case of an emergency.
Safety Tips
The Child Accident Prevention Trust website is packed with additional tips and advice on how to keep your little one safe in a variety of situations.
For more tips on the safety of babies and toddlers, our partnership with The Baby Academy offers free safety classes so that you can learn more about:
- Allergic reactions in babies
- Baby rashes
- Teething
- Ear infections
- Administering medicine
These helpful classes also will provide you with the opportunity to ask questions you’ve been wanting to get answers to. You can sign up on The Baby Academy website, here.
