This week is Child Safety Week which is aimed at raising awareness of things in and around the house that could cause serious injury to children and young people.
Theme of the day: ICON – Thursday 4th June
During this challenging time stress levels at home may be increased. There is guidance for coping with crying on the ICON website.
ICON Poster: iconcope.org
I – Infant crying is normal and will stop. Babies cry most from around 2 weeks of age. The crying may get more frequent and last longer. After about 8 weeks of age babies start to cry each week. For more information visit the ICON website.
C – Check, comfort and calm. Comfort methods can sometimes soothe the baby and the crying will stop. Check are they hungry, tired or in need of a nappy change? Once checks have been done use techniques like going for a walk or singing to help calm you and the baby. For more information visit the ICON website.
O – It’s OK to walk away if your baby is safe and the crying is getting to you. After a few minutes when you are feeling calm, go back and check on the baby. For more information visit the ICON website.
N – Never shake a baby. it can cause lasting brain damage or death. If you are worried that your baby is unwell contact your GP or call NHS 111. For more information visit the ICON website
Speak to someone if you need support such as your family, friends, Midwife, GP or Health Visitor.
Burns and Scalding
Did you know that 95% of all childhood burns and scalds happen at home? Most are caused in the day-to-day situations that many parents don’t anticipate. Check out some top tips to prevent burns and scalding at home.
Hot drinks
Anyone looking after children 24/7 right now deserves all the tea or coffee they can drink. Just remember to put your cuppa down in a safe spot out of reach of little hands that can grab as soon as your back is turned. @CAPTcharity has created a handy guide to help keep your hot drinks safe from little ones.
Cooking
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, repeat … sound like your life at the moment? When you’re exhausted it’s easy to get distracted, so use the back rings of the cooker and turn pan handles in. It keeps danger out of reach of little hands that grab. Find out more information, visit: https://www.capt.org.uk/burns-scalds.
Bath time
Bath time can be an enjoyable experience but if it’s not done safely it can result scalding… get in the habit of putting the cold in first and top up with hot. For further information and advice, visit www.capt.org.uk/burns-scalds
Hair straighteners
Where do you leave your hair straighteners to cool down? On the floor, beside cabinet or hanging over the door handle. Hair straighteners can cause serious burns to children even when cooling. Children can be kept safe from hair straighteners by putting them out of reach and sight straight away and in a heat – proof pouch. Find out more www.capt.org.uk/preventing-burns-from-hair-straighteners
Burns and scalds prevention from NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/burns-and-scalds/prevention/
Poisoning
From sanitiser to surface spray, paracetamol to pods, there are lots of things around that home that could poison your child. You can find some useful tips to keep prevent positioning at home and ensure your child and family are kept safe.
Cleaning Products
Our hands and homes have never been so clean! But might these cleaning things poison small children? Put them in a safe spot, high up out of sight and reach. For further information on how to keep your cleaning products safe, visit https://www.capt.org.uk/poisoning-prevention
Medicines
Stocked up on paracetamol? Everyday painkillers are the most common way for young children to be poisoned. Put them in a safe spot, high up out of sight and reach. You can find more useful tips to ensure your home is medicine safe.
Button batteries
Button batteries are used in an increasingly wide range of toys, novelty items, gadgets and other everyday objects you’ll find around the house. They can be extremely dangerous for children if swallowed. For more information www.capt.org.uk/button-batteries
Head Injuries
From tables, stairs even to trampolines there are lots of things inside and outside of homes that can lead to falls and ultimately serious head injuries. You can find useful tips to use to ensure your family and home is safe and fall – proof.
Falls
Did you know that 1 in 5 children under 5 is admitted to hospital everyday after falling from a building – often from open windows and balconies? Be aware that with the warmer weather and isolation keeping us inside of what you can do to keep you child safe from falls. Find out more www.capt.org.uk/falls
Cycling
Cycling is a great way for us to be active and look after our wellbeing Its important to the ins and outs from wearing helmets to carrying young children on the on adult bike and being visible. Here are some useful tips to help you keep safe and develop good cycling habits.
Helmets
Did you know at least 10% of deaths could have been prevented if the cyclist had worn a cycle helmet? With more and more of us choosing to cycle for exercise or as a way to spend our time, it’s important that we wear the right protection. For more information on www.capt.org.uk/developing-good-cycling-habits
In-car safety
In-car safety can be a confusing area for families. You may find that you’re not completely clear about the law, are unsure of the safest way for a child to travel, aren’t using the most appropriate restraint or have badly fitting child car seats or booster seats. To help make things clearer here is some useful information on in – car safety www.capt.org.uk/car-safety
Road safety
Speed is everything when it comes to a child’s chances of survival. Keep an eye on your speed. Keep your phone in the glove compartment so it can’t distract you. There is guidance on for in car road safety on the CAPT website at www.capt.org.uk/car-safety
Drowning
With the summer on it way the water may seem a great way for us to cool down but for young children, there is a real risk of drowning in the home or garden, including neighbours’ gardens. Be aware of the risks using this handy factsheet.
Young children
Did you know babies can drown in almost 5cm of water? Think baths, showers, paddling pools, ponds, rivers and streams. Never leave a small child alone with water. You can find some useful tips on the how to stay safe around water by visiting www.capt.org.uk/drowning.
Children under 8
Children under 8 still need to be supervised in and around water. They might understand safety instructions but are likely to forget in the heat of the moment. For further information on how to stay safe around water visit www.capt.org.uk/water-safety.
Older children
As children become older and possibly stronger swimmers, it’s important to be aware of the safe places to swim and dangers of swimming in open water. Check out for more information on how to stay safe around water, visit www.capt.org.uk/water-safety.
Beaches
Some families might want a trip to the seaside after lockdown. @RNLI has loads of information and tips to stay safe on the beach and in the sea. Visit www.rnli.org/safety/beach-safety.