Child Safety Week NI takes place from June 2nd to June 8th, 2025. This year, the focus is on preventing serious injuries to children, particularly those under five, as most accidents happen at home and are preventable.
Top Tips for Child Safety at Home:
- Be Proactive and Think Ahead: Children are quick and curious. Try to anticipate potential hazards from a child's perspective, especially around furniture, windows, and stairs.
- Secure Dangerous Items: Keep medicines, cleaning products, batteries (especially button batteries which can be very dangerous if swallowed), and sharp objects in high, locked cupboards or drawers. Always put them away immediately after use.
- Supervise Bath Time Closely: Never leave a child alone in the bath, even for a moment. Drowning can occur quickly and silently in very little water.
- Be Careful with Hot Food and Drinks: Hot drinks can still cause serious burns even after 15 minutes. Keep mugs and pans out of reach, and use the back rings of the hob when cooking.
- Utilize Safety Equipment: Install safety gates on stairs, window locks, and cupboard catches where necessary. Ensure car seats, highchairs, and pushchairs meet current safety standards and are used correctly.
- Beware of Choking Hazards: Small toys, coins, button batteries, and certain foods like whole grapes or popcorn are choking risks for young children. Supervise mealtimes and play. It is recommended to cut grapes in half lengthwise and ideally into quarters for young children.
- Teach Safety Early: As children grow, help them learn how to stay safe, such as holding hands near roads and not touching hot items.
- Secure Furniture: Check that televisions, chests of drawers, and shelving units are securely anchored to the wall to prevent them from falling and injuring a child.
- Blind Cord Safety: Examine all blinds and ensure any looped cords or chains are out of reach of children or have safety devices fitted. Move cots, beds, and furniture away from windows and blinds.
- Garden Safety: Be aware of items that can collect rainwater, like plant pots. Ensure garden gates and sheds are locked. Store lawnmowers and electrical equipment safely. Be aware of poisonous plants.
Please visit the following link for more information and a parents' pack:
https://capt.org.uk/resources/parents-pack/
You can also arrange a home safety visit from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Please visit their website for more information.
You'll find a variety of printed resources in our foyer. Please feel free to take some home with you!
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