The accident that fills parents with dread. These accidents most often happen when babies and young children, choke on food or vomit, get strangled on things like blind cords, suffocate on a nappy sack or when sleeping on a sofa.
Suffocation information from CAPT
Strangulation information from CAPT
Blind cords:
Download Blind Cord safety poster
Nappy sacks:
BABIES CAN SUFFOCATE ON NAPPY SACKS - Always keep nappy sacks out of reach.
Babies will naturally grasp anything and put it to their mouths, and nappy sacks can kill.
Download Nappy Sack safety poster
People tend to think of falls as a part of growing up. To some degree they are. But babies’ heads are twice as big as ours, which makes them top-heavy. Developing brains are delicate. Falls from changing tables, beds and even a fall out of an open window can cause serious head injury.
Information about falls from CAPT
Everything goes in the mouth. Unfortunately young children are more likely to suffer serious consequences if they swallow something harmful because they are smaller, have faster metabolic rates and their bodies are less able to neutralise harmful chemicals. Unexpected dangers such as painkillers, button batteries and washing tabs/pods can lie around the home.
Information about poisoning from CAPT
Liquitabs and button batteries:
Dangers of liquitabs - download poster
Dangers of button batteries - download poster
Hot drinks and hair straighteners can cause nasty burns. While far less common, bath water scalds are also horrendously damaging – small children lack the strength and dexterity to get themselves out of hot water if they’ve fallen in or turned on the hot tap. A small child’s skin is thin and delicate.
Information about burns and scalds from CAPT
Did you know, Hair straighteners can reach in excess of 200 degrees which is hot enough to fry an egg! They can also take as long as 40 minutes to cool down.
RoSPA - Accidents don't have to happen
Unlike in the movies, drowning is silent. Babies and small children can drown in just 5cm of water. Older children who can swim can still get into difficulties. So a parent who’s stepped out of the bathroom to grab a towel, or adults around the pool or inside the villa may not realise until it’s too late. Garden ponds are a risk for the same reason.
Information about drowning from CAPT
It is important to have a working smoke alarm on every floor of your home. Preparing and practicing an escape plan is also critical - it could be the most valuable time you ever spend.
Follow these simple steps to ensure you can be warned at the first sign of a fire and that you have a clear escape plan to make sure you and your family are safely out of the house:
Children love to climb. But death, or serious injury, may occur if furniture or unsecured items were to fall on a young child.
Always keep sharp objects, cleaning products, and small items out of children's reach to prevent accidents in the home.
Secure heavy furniture and TVs to the wall and ensure cords or unstable items are out of reach to reduce the risk of tipping or injury.
Explore RoSPA's virtual kitchen to identify potential hazards and learn practical ways to create a safer environment for children.