Safety tips for parents


Safe as Houses Did you know that over one million children attend casualty departments every year? By following some simple safety rules, you can help reduce the chance of accidents. Remember that babies are naturally inquisitive creatures (and that’s how you want them to be!) so it makes sense to baby and toddler proof your home.


• Fit safety gates on stairs and window restrictors on low windows


• Lock medicines away, well out of sight and reach


• Ensure all fires have a fireguard in front of them


• Keep all cosmetics and perfumes safely away as some are poisonous


• Fit child resistant catches to cleaning products cupboards


• Tidy plastic bags out of reach


• Clear the floor of small objects a child could choke on


Which car seat?


Understanding which car seat is right for your baby or toddler can be a daunting task! Our guidance below should help you choose the right seat for your baby & older siblings too.


• By law children have to use an appropriate seat up until they are 12 or they are 1metre 35cm in height. The seat should be appropriate to the child’s height and weight as age is not an accurate guide. Not all child seats fit all cars so always go to a retailer where you can ‘Try Before You Buy’.


• Avoid second hand seats, as they could have already been involved in an accident.


Type Rearward - facing Baby seats


Forward - facing Child seats Booster seats and cushions Booster seats and cushions


Small Steps 8


Stage 1


2 3 4


• Never fit a rear-facing baby seat with an active airbag. In a crash at 30mph an unrestrained child would be thrown forward with a force 30 to 60 times its own weight.


• Follow the instructions for your child car seat carefully and keep the instructions safe - you may not be the only person who has to fit the seat. Check the seat is tightly fitted before every journey.


Group


Group 0 and Group 0+


Group 1 Group 2 Group 3


Weight (approx age)


Up to 10kg (birth to 6-9 mths) Up to 13kg (birth to 12-15 mths)


9 – 18kg (9 mths – 4 yrs) 15 – 25kg (4 - 6 yrs) 22 – 36kg (6 – 12 yrs)


For information & advice visit www.childcarseats.org.uk


Further Information can be found on the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) website www.rospa.com


Carbon Monoxide Young children are particularly vulnerable to the silent, invisible and odourless gas that can leak out from faulty gas appliances. Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be fatal so it’s important that all gas appliances are regularly checked and maintained.


Smoke Alarms Fires are one of the leading causes of death in the home, so installing a smoke alarm should be top of your list to protect you new baby as well as other members of the family. RoSPA can give advice on the best alarms to fit & some fire services also offer a free service.


First Aid It’s also a good idea for all parents to refresh their first aid knowledge - the British Red Cross can help www.redcross.org.uk or St John Ambulance www.sja.org.uk


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