Tag: Child Safety Week

RoSPA: The three items new parents need to know how to use safely

THIS Child Safety Week, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has identified three products that can cause devastation if used incorrectly and urges parents and carers to skill up on the risks.

Following devastating stories in the press about babies who have died, RoSPA says there’s still more work to do when it comes to education around baby slings, nappy sacks and baby baths.

Baby slings

Baby slings have become a popular choice for parents, offering a convenient way to carry their infants while keeping their hands free. However, safety is largely dependent on the safe usage of slings.

As with all child-related products, RoSPA says it is vital to follow safety advice and manufacturer’s guidelines, and that parents should always check the instructions relating to size, weight and age. Importantly, baby slings should never be used for premature or underweight babies, as these scenarios pose a risk of death.

RoSPA advocates products that keep babies upright and allow parents to see their baby and to ensure that the face isn’t restricted. Babies should be able to breathe easily, be at a comfortable temperature, and held in positions that are healthy and beneficial for them.                                         

The Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers provides the following advice to baby sling wearers: “Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S acronym”:

  • Tight
  • In view at all times
  • Close enough to kiss
  • Keep chin off the chest
  • Supported back.

Philip Le Shirley, Product Safety Advisor at RoSPA, said: “Baby wearing is a natural phenomenon that has been around since the dawn of time – and while we encourage people to find a way to carry and connect with their children, we are keen to highlight how to do so safely.

“We urge people to be aware of the TICKS advice and to always ensure the carrier they are using is suitable for their child’s height and weight – they should never be used for underweight or premature babies.”

Bath seats

Since 2019, RoSPA is aware of at least 5 deaths that have been reported where babies have drowned in baths using baby bath seats. 

There are several bath seats and other devices on the market that enable a young child to remain seated whilst in the bathwater. 

The main risk with these products is the baby being left unattended (even for short periods of time), the seat then tipping over or become detached and the baby sadly drowning.

If parents do choose to use a bath seat, they should:

  • always keep the child within arm’s reach
  • never leave the child, even for a second
  • do not let bath seats give you a false sense of security – bath seats are NOT safety devices

Philip Le Shirley, Product Safety Advisor at RoSPA, said: “A child can drown in a bath very quickly and quietly in very shallow water. This situation can be made worse by a young child’s inability to self-rescue – their heads still weigh proportionately more than their bodies compared to adults and their muscular control is not yet fully developed.

“We therefore would like to remind parents and carers that they should always stay within arms reach of their baby at all times when they are in the bath, and that it’s not safe to leave them unattended, even for a few seconds.”

For more information on bath seat safety, please see here.

Nappy sacks

Parents and carers are generally aware of the dangers posed by plastic bags, but in many cases do not make the same link to nappy sacks and so may be less likely to take the same safety precautions.

RoSPA is aware of at least 22 deaths since 2001 where a baby has been suffocated by a nappy sack. The typical scenario associated with deaths is that the nappy sacks are stored within the baby’s reach, close to the baby’s cot, including under the mattress.

This method of storage is often for the convenience of the parent or carer. In some of the cases, the nappy sacks had been left near to or in the baby’s cot for ease of changing the baby’s nappy in the night.

In many homes these loose nappy sacks are kept within easy reach of babies, under the baby’s pram, or close to the baby’s cot.  In other cases, nappy sacks are left loose on the side are at risk of blowing into the cot from the wind, or being accessed by the child’s young siblings who don’t understand the risks.

Philip Le Shirley, Product Safety Advisor at RoSPA, said: “Young babies naturally grasp at anything and put it in their mouths, and once they have grasped a nappy sack, they find it more difficult to let go. Nappy sacks are flimsy and can easily fit over a baby’s mouth or nose or into a baby’s mouth.

“Babies under one-year-old are particularly at risk of suffocation and choking from plastic sheets and bags.  Once the nappy sack is over their face, they do not have the manual dexterity to remove the nappy sack, which can result in suffocation.

“We therefore advise parents and carers to make some simple changes that can increase their child’s safety, such as always keeping nappy sacks and other plastic bags away from babies and young children, and to always store them out of reach, ideally in a drawer or cupboard, and out of close proximity to cots, sleepers and prams. 

“Nappy sacks should be kept in their packaging, including on a roll if supplied that way, and never stored loose”

For more information on nappy sack safety, please see here.

The Hill Group launches national schools engagement campaign on construction site safety

Award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group has launched an important awareness campaign aimed at engaging primary school children about the dangers of entering a construction site.

Hill is rolling out the campaign to all primary schools nationwide during Child Safety Week, 3-9 June, which is run by the Accident Prevention Trust. The campaign is centred around an educational video featuring Hill’s safety mascots, Jack and Jill, who demonstrate to children the rules that must be observed around building sites.

Child safety is a vital topic for the housebuilding industry; the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that each year, two or three children die after gaining access to building sites, and many more are injured.

The video, along with downloadable activity worksheets, will be accessible on Hill’s website, and the housebuilder will be engaging directly with primary schools in proximity to its current and forthcoming developments.

The initiative is supported by the Home Builders Federation (HBF), as well as the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Rhodri Williams, Technical and Sustainability Director at HBF, said: “Health and safety is vital in our industry, particularly as our members engage with communities where homes are being built.

“We are pleased to see child safety given a platform promoting awareness of best safety practices and protecting children. This will complement existing health and safety site practices in fostering safer communities for all.”

Lucie Wright, Head of Strategy at CITB, said:“Engaging with children to demonstrate the need for health and safety on a construction site is not just important for their wellbeing, but also provides an opportunity to introduce and promote the construction industry to younger generations – an urgent need for the industry.”

“Having workers that are trained and qualified in health and safety standards is vital for ensuring an employer’s workforce can keep themselves and those around them safe. It’s brilliant to see The Hill Group launch this initiative and raise awareness of health and safety on construction sites for children.”

The campaign was launched at Newport Primary School in Essex. Hill’s Charlotte Blair, the presenter on the awareness video, was on hand to deliver an assembly to the school on the importance of construction site safety with the help of mascots, Jack and Jill.

The assembly included a screening of the campaign film to all of the children and teachers at Newport Primary School which is located near Hill’s highly sustainable Hollymead Square development, where the housebuilder has collaborated on various school community activities since starting on site in February.

Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director at The Hill Group, commented “A construction site may seem like a fun place to explore for young children, but the risks of entering can be extremely serious.

“As a responsible housebuilder committed to prioritising health and safety, we actively engage and inform local communities about the work that we do, and site safety is a particularly important message to share.

“I’m very grateful to Newport Primary School for allowing myself, Jack, and Jill to present to the children, and we look forward to rolling out the campaign to more schools over the weeks ahead.”

Sherlyn Ramsey, Interim Head Teacher at Newport Primary School, commented: “It’s wonderful to see The Hill Group working towards safeguarding children in this way and informing them of the risks posed by construction site activity.

“The assembly was a great success, with the awareness video and campaign messages able to convey vital information in a fun and informative way to primary school children of all ages.”

Some readers may still recall an awful accident in Muirhouse back in August 1999, when brother and sister William (6) and Danielle (5) Welsh were killed by a reversing lorry when they played hide and seek on a construction site off Pennywell Road.

Dangers this Child Safety Week

With Child Safety Week just around the corner, NICEIC – the UK’s leading body for certified electrical businesses – is reminding parents about the importance of having sufficient measures in place to ensure electrical safety in the home for the whole family.

Child Safety Week takes place from Monday 5 to Sunday 11 June 2023, with this year’s theme being, ‘Safety Made Simple’. ‘Safety Made Simple’ provides parents with the simple changes they can make to stop the scariest of accidents happening within the home. Offering easy solutions that can fit into busy routines, the theme acknowledges the dangers that youngsters face both inside and outside of the home. 

In support, NICEIC says that there will be a proportion of the nation’s families who are unaware of the electrical dangers that can exist around the home; whilst for others, they may be aware but too busy to keep up with simple maintenance and vital periodic checks. 

Ahead of Child Safety Week, Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC, has provided some simple advice for families to stay safe within the home.

Paul says: “It’s no secret that electrical devices such as tablets and video games are becoming the chosen choice of entertainment for many children. As a result, many tech-savvy kids are unknowingly leaving themselves open to serious electrical dangers.

“Should devices such as these be handled incorrectly, especially by children, the consequences are frightening. That’s why we want to encourage parents to take on some simple checks and measures in order to safeguard their family in and around the home.

“All of these devices need to be plugged in at some point in the home and parents should not overlook the potential risks surrounding these. It’s vital that the socket-outlet is not overloaded, as this can increase the risk of a fire in the home. 

“Other simple precautions that parents can take include keeping electrical cords out of reach, checking cables for damage, keeping appliances off when not in use and never leaving younger children unattended when using a device still connected to the mains.

“The charity Electrical Safety First has also done some fantastic work around highlighting the sale of dangerous goods via online marketplaces. We support in their message and urge parents to shop safely online and only buy goods from reputable retailers.”

With summer just around the corner, parents must not overlook the potential hazards playing in the garden may bring. The garden poses particular electrical safety risks due to the added potential for water and electricity to mix – especially with children dipping in and out of paddling pools. 

Paul continues: “When using electrical equipment outside, it’s important to make sure all electrical appliances are using a residual current device (RCD). An RCD is a safety device that automatically turns off electricity if a fault has been discovered. 

“Another important tip that may be surprising to parents is to not rely on plastic plug in socket covers. Regular sockets, that comply with British safety standards, have a built-in protection mechanism already and socket covers will not prevent electric shock if the installation is not safe.”

Crucially, NICEIC recommends that any electrical work in the home should be conducted by a certified business, such as those listed with the NICEIC, as even the seemingly simplest of jobs can be incredibly dangerous if not installed properly.

Discussing the importance of child safety at home, Rory Carroll from the UK’s leading charity Electrical Safety First comments: “In the UK, online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Wish are not obliged to obey by the same laws as traditional retailers. So large numbers of dangerous electrical products are being sold to unknowing customers.

“As these possibly contain sub-standard or non-compliant parts, they can pose a serious risk of fire or electric shock. We want to ensure everyone stays safe within the home and urge you to only purchase from reputable retailers.

“If you are unsure about any areas of electrical safety inside or outside, we have various resources available on our Safety Around the Home hub and more information is available at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk.” 

For further information or to search for your nearest NICEIC Certified business visit www.niceic.com.

Safety In Mind: NICEIC urges parents to prioritise electrical safety in the home this Child Safety Week

With Child Safety Week coming up, NICEIC – the UK’s leading body for certified electrical contractors – is reminding parents about the importance of having appropriate measures in place to ensure electrical safety in the home for the whole family.

Child Safety Week takes place from Monday 6 to Sunday 12 June 2022, with this year’s theme designed to make sure busy families have the ‘safety in mind’ that really matters, especially when under pressure.

‘Safety in mind’ places a focus on the array of dangers that youngsters face both inside and outside of the home, covering areas such as choking hazards, swallowing button batteries, fire safety and walking near busy roads. 

In support, NICEIC says that there will be a proportion of the nation’s families who are unaware of the dangers that can exist around the home; whilst for others, they may be aware but too busy to keep up with simple maintenance and vital periodic checks. 

Paul Collins, Head of Technical Services at NICEIC, comments: “We can all fall victim to having endless to-do lists, especially when it comes to the upkeep of one’s home. But when it comes to home safety, there are simple checks and measures which we would encourage parents to move up to the very top of their “must do” list in order to safeguard their children in and around the home.

“In terms of using electrical equipment safely in the home, it’s about taking sensible precautions; for example, keeping electrical cords out of reach, keeping appliances off when not in use and never leaving a child unattended when using a device still connected to the mains. Obviously, water and electrics don’t mix; so all drinks should be kept away from anything electrical and children must be dried thoroughly before being exposed to any light switches or nearby devices.”  

With the digital age coming into its own and children seeking entertainment via tablets, phones and consoles, NICEIC urges parents not to overlook the potential risks around using these types of electrical devices. All of these need to be plugged into an electrical socket at some point or another and it’s important to always ensure that the socket or an adapter is not overloaded, as this can increase the risk of a fire in the home. 

Paul continues: “Parents must not forget the hazards outside of the home too. The garden poses particular electrical safety risks thanks to the added potential for water and electricity to mix – especially with children dipping in and out of paddling pools. 

“When using electrical equipment outside, it’s important to make sure all electrical appliances are using a residual current device (RCD). An RCD is a safety device that automatically turns off electricity if a fault has been discovered. This will help protect children and all family members against the dangers of electrocution and fire which can be caused by earth faults. 

“Another important tip that may be surprising to parents is to not rely on plug socket covers. Regular sockets, that comply with British safety standards, have a built in protection mechanism already and socket covers will not prevent electric shock if the installation is not safe.”

Crucially, NICEIC recommends that any electrical work in the home should be conducted by a qualified, certified professional, such as those listed with the NICEIC, as even the seemingly simplest of jobs can be incredibly dangerous if not installed properly.

If parents are unsure about any areas of electrical safety inside or outside of the home, a wealth of information is available from Electrical Safety First, the UK’s leading charity on electrical safety.

Resources can be located via the charity’s Safety Around the Home hub at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk. 

Parents can also contact their local NICEIC certified electrical contractor for help and advice. Local NICEIC certified contractors can be searched for by visiting NICEIC.com.

Child Safety Week 2022 – safety in mind

The Children’s Burns Trust is once again partnering with the Child Accident Prevention Trust for Child Safety Week 2022.

Child Safety Week is an annual community education campaign run by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), acting as a catalyst for thousands of safety conversations and activities UK-wide. CAPT’s aim is to help families build confidence and skills in managing risks to children’s safety, and for all children to have the freedom to grow and learn, safe from serious harm.

This year’s Child Safety Week runs from Monday 6th June to Sunday 12th June 2022 and the theme is ‘safety in mind’.

The Children’s Burns Trust, whose work is focused on three core areas – prevention being one –  understand first-hand how raising awareness of the dangers everyday items can pose to children really does help reduce the number of burns and scalds that occur each year.

This year, as part of Child Safety Week 2022, Children’s Burns Trust and CAPT are joining forces on a dedicated day during the week-long event to focus on raising awareness of the risks that lead to children being burned – specifically those relating to hot drink spills.

Instagram Live Event

On Thursday 9th June, the charity will be enhancing the Child Safety Week programme with an Instagram Live event on the subject of burn prevention and first aid.

The free online event, which begins at 1pm on Instagram Live, is aimed at parents, carers, grandparents, childcare professionals, teachers, health and social care professionals, and anyone with an interest in child safety.

Expert speakers, including specialists from NHS Burns Services, will share with the Instagram Live audience how they can prevent an injury from happening and the right First Aid to administer if an accident does occur.

To join the Instagram Live on Thursday 9th June at 1pm simply follow @ChildrensBurnsTrust and @CAPT_Charity on Instagram for updates and to watch on the day. 

For further information about Children’s Burns Trust’s activity on Thursday 9th June visit: https://www.cbtrust.org.uk/child-safety-week/

Child Safety Week will be covered extensively on social media via @CBTOfficial and @childsafetyweek, with the dedicated hashtag #childsafetyweek

Primary School produces powerful message for speeding drivers

A new video starring Edinburgh primary school children highlights the importance of sticking to the speed limit. Pupils from the Royal High Primary School were filmed talking directly to the camera about the need for drivers to keep them safe by abiding by the 20mph limits around their school. Continue reading Primary School produces powerful message for speeding drivers