Child Safety

Dogs

Children are most likely to be bitten at home, by a familiar dog. Luckily most bites are preventable and close supervision is key.

‘Safety around dogs’ fact sheet for further tips on keeping your child/ren safe:

You can also watch this RSPCA 2 min video:

Burns & scalds

95% of childhood burns take place in the home.

If someone receives a burn or scald, your priority is to cool the burn as quickly as possible.

A burn can be caused by dry heat such as contact with fire, or a hot iron or exposure to the sun. A scald can be caused by contact by wet heat, like steam or a hot drink.

The longer the burning goes on the more sever the injury.

Monitor the injury and casualty and seek medical advice from your Med Centre if concerned.

Choking

Children under the age of 4 are at a high risk of choking while eating. Young children are still learning how to chew food properly, and they often swallow the food whole. Their small airways can become easily blocked.

You can help reduce children’s risk of choking when eating by preparing food in certain ways. Remember, always supervise children during meals and snacks.

For further advice view this quick guide created by the Child Accident Prevention Trust:

The chokeables teach you how to stop a baby from choking.

40% of parents told St John’s Ambulance that they have witnessed their own baby choke.

Almost four-fifths of these don’t know what to do in this situation.

Falls

Falls are the most common cause of accidental injury to children. While most falls aren’t serious – active children often fall over – some falls can lead to death or long-term disability.

See some hints and tips below to try and reduce the risk of a serious injury from a fall.

Poisoning

Suspected poisoning is one of the most common reasons for young children to be taken to A&E.

Child-resistant tops and strip and blister packs for tablets help to slow children down but they are not childproof. Swallowing medicines, like everyday painkillers that you might keep in your handbag or bedside cabinet, is the most common way for children to be poisoned.

The detergent capsules and concentrated liquids can harm children too – they can cause accidental poisoning but also squirt into the eyes and cause damage, if they squeeze or bite them. Watch this video:

Button batteries can badly hurt or kill a small child if they swallow one. Watch this video to see what the battery can do your child’s food pipe:

To find out where button batteries are in your home view this helpful poster:

Road safety

It can be hard knowing how best to teach your child to stay safe around roads. Check out CAPT’s safe around roads fact sheet, which will help you to break it down and keep it simple: