Worcestershire youngsters' wellbeing highlighted during Child Safety Week

June 03 2020
Worcestershire youngsters' wellbeing highlighted during Child Safety Week

Youngsters’ wellbeing is being highlighted during Child Safety Week.

The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) is encouraging parents and guardians to keep children safe around the home.

The CAPT, which runs the annual community education campaign, has changed its approach this year due to the pandemic.

This year, the advice is focussed around top tips for child safety during lockdown and beyond plus advice on preventing burns and poisoning.

Conservative councillor Andy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Worcestershire County Council, said: “As families are spending almost all of their time at home it’s even more important to make sure that your house is safe for little ones.

“Many parents are both working and caring for their children simultaneously and it can feel impossible to keep an eye on children all the time.

“We, along with Worcestershire Children First, endorse this campaign and encourage parents to consider ways their houses could be made safer for children.”

Simple changes parents can make to ensure their home is safer include:

  • Hot things like drinks and hair straighteners – decide where your safe spots are that you can put hot things down out of reach of children. A small child’s skin burns much easier as it is so thin and delicate.
  • Cleaning items – Make sure they are all stored safely away.
  • Medication – inquisitive little ones might think they are sweets, so make sure they are put in a cupboard high up out of the way.
  • Button batteries – big lithium coin cell batteries the size of a 5p piece can be deadly if a child swallows one. Check products, spares and flats and put them out of reach. People would be surprised where young children can find them – in light-up toys, remotes, gaming headsets and key finders. 

As people go out to exercise and burn off children’s excess energy, it is crucial to stay mindful of road safety. Remember to check for traffic before crossing the road and encouraging children to learn the basics of road safety.

Worcestershire Children First’s mission is to support children and young people to be happy, healthy and safe. The organisation is sharing advice and tips on social media channels throughout the week.

To find out more on Child Safety Week go to the Child Accident Prevention website at www.capt.org.uk or www.facebook.com/ChildAccidentPreventionTrust.

Child Safety Week 2020 runs from June 1 to 7.