Staying safe and accident prevention

Useful information and advice about staying safe for all ages

• Common accidents

  More accidents happen at home than anywhere else. Every year over two million children are taken to A&E due to accidents in the home. The most common accidents include:

  • Burns - hair straighteners, ovens, naked flames
  • Scalds - hot drinks, bath water
  • Falls - stairs, windows, beds, sofas
  • Poisoning - medication, cleaning products
  • Suffocation - pillows, cot bumpers, blocked airways, nappy sacks
  • Strangulation – blind and curtain cords, clothing
  • Drowning - bath, paddling pool, buckets

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  For babies and young children it's important to keep nappy sacks and other small items out of reach. You can put locks on cupboards to keep some items out of reach, such as cleaning products and medicine. It's also important to check toys are safe for your baby or child's age and that they have the lion mark and European CE sign to show they are of safe and high quality.

  For young people and teenagers the risks to their safety change as they become more independent. Read our information on:

  • drug misuse and alcohol abuse
  • staying safe around others 
    
  • technology and online safety

• Water safety

  All children and young people are at risk of drowning. Babies and small children mostly drown at home in the bath or in the garden. Remember, to empty paddling pools and baths and always supervise children in or around water. Older children are more at risk when they are out and about. Read more about water safety inside and outside the home.

  You can also take a look at this watch out in water fact sheet for children of all ages.

• Burns and scalds safety

  All children and young people are at risk from burns and scalds. Babies and young children are especially at risk because they have sensitive skin and are naturally curious. It’s important to be aware of the dangers around your home and how to protect your child from them. For example, remember to keep hair straighteners and hot drinks out of reach.

  Read more about burns and scalds for babies and young children.

  Read more about burns and scalds for all children.

• Suffocation and strangulation safety

  There are lots of hazards in the home which can cause suffocation or strangulation in babies and children. It’s important to identify these hazards and then take the necessary steps to reduce the risk. For example, if you have any blinds with a cord these can be a hazard. Ensure you use a safety device, such as a cleat hook or tensioner, to keep the cord or chain securely tidied away and out of reach. 

  Read more about suffocation and strangulation safety in the home.

• Fall safety

  Falls are the most common cause of accidents in the home. Babies, toddlers, young children and older children are all at risk of falls. It’s important to recognise the risks and prevent serious falls. Read more about falls for children of all ages.

  As toddlers and young children develop, they like to move around and explore their environment. Make sure that any heavy objects or furniture such as a bookcase or chest of drawers are securely anchored to the wall. Read more about preventing falls in the home for babies and young children. 

  Babies are also at risk of falls. Do not leave your baby on a bed or raised surface as they may have learned to roll when you weren’t looking. It's also a good idea to change your babies nappy on the floor. As your baby learns to crawl and walk, stairs can become a risk. You should use a safety gate to stop babies and toddlers climbing up or falling down stairs. Read more about stair safety.

• Car seat safety

  A child car seat is the safest way for children to travel in vehicles. Babies must be carried in rearward-facing car seats for as long as possible, ideally until at least 15 months old. You can choose to move them to a forward-facing car seat when they can sit up or are more than the maximum weight or height for the seat.

  Children must normally use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first.

  Here are some tips to help you choose a car seat:

  • Always choose a car seat that is right for your child’s height and weight.
  • Try a few in your car before deciding. Seek advice from properly trained retail staff.
  • Make sure the car seat fits all the cars your child will travel in.
  • Try and avoid second hand car seats as they could have been damaged in an accident, faulty, or may not have any instructions. Only accept car seats from friends or family if you know the history, it’s not very old and it has the instructions.
  • Make sure it is EU approved with an ‘E’ mark label.

  Read this guide to choosing the right car seat.

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  Remove outdoor clothing, such as a winter coat or bulky layers, before strapping your baby into the car seat. Cover them with a blanket if you are concerned about the temperature. The best way to check your baby's temperature is to feel their tummy or the back of their neck. 

  Car seats are designed for travelling, not as a main sleeping place. Read more about sleeping safely in a car seat. 

• Sun and heat safety

  It’s important to protect babies, children and young people from the sun, regardless of skin tone. Wearing loose fitting clothing and broad-brimmed hats can help children and young people in the sun. Read more about sunscreen and sun safety for all children. 

  Sun safety is important for everyone but younger children and babies can be seriously affected by hot weather. Babies under 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible. 

  • Read more about sun safety for children under 5.
  • Read more about sun safety for babies.

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  Heat can also be a risk to babies, children and young people. It's important that they stay in the shade and drink plenty in hot weather. Read more about how much water your child should drink.

  For babies, it's important not to place a blanket or muslin over their pram. This can lead to overheating. You should check your baby's temperature regularly. The best way to check your baby's temperature is to feel their tummy or the back of their neck. Read more about the safest room temperature for babies. You can also read more about baby summer safety.

• Choking safety

  Babies and small children often try to put objects into their mouth. This is their way of exploring and learning, but, this means they are at high risk of choking on small items. Some foods can also pose a risk of choking such as hard sweets. Read more about the foods to avoid and cut up. You can also read our information on choking and gagging on food for babies. 

  Choking is not just limited to babies though. Any child or young person is at risk of choking so it's important to know what to do if it happens. Read more about how to stop a child from choking.

  Understanding the possible causes of choking can also help to prevent choking from happening. It can also help to manage choking effectively if it does happen. Read more about preventing choking.

  Video by St John Ambulance