This week is Child Safety Week (2-8 June 2025) – an annual awareness campaign led by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) to help families build the confidence, skills and knowledge to prevent serious accidents and injuries to children.

Accidental injuries remain one of the leading causes of death, disability and hospital admissions in children – particularly among those under the age of five. Most of these injuries happen in the home and are often preventable with a few simple precautions.

At County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, we’re joining the campaign to raise awareness of the risks and to share practical safety advice to help keep children safe.

  • Falls – from furniture, down stairs or when learning to walk.

  • Poisoning – often from household cleaning products or medication.

  • Drowning – even in shallow water, such as a bath or garden pond.

  • Foreign body injuries – such as small toys or parts getting lodged in ears, noses or throats.

  • Crush injuries – from doors, drawers or falling furniture.

Medication:

  • Keep all medicines – including vitamins and over-the-counter remedies – locked away and out of reach.

  • Never refer to medicine as “sweets” and always follow dosage instructions carefully.

Falls:

  • Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.

  • Never leave babies unattended on changing tables, sofas or beds.

  • Secure furniture to walls to prevent it from tipping over.

Bath Time:

  • Never leave a baby or young child unattended in the bath – even for a moment.

  • Always test water temperature before placing a child in the bath.

  • Empty the bath immediately after use.

Button Batteries:

  • Keep spare and used button batteries well out of reach and dispose of them safely.

  • Be cautious with items containing these batteries, such as toys, remote controls, and greeting cards.

Trampolines:

  • Use safety nets and padding, and supervise children at all times.

  • Only allow one child to jump at a time to reduce the risk of injury.

Choking on Food:

  • Cut small, round foods like grapes and cherry tomatoes into quarters.

  • Encourage children to sit still while eating and avoid distractions like running or playing.

Burns from Hot Drinks:

  • Keep hot drinks well out of children’s reach and never hold a child while drinking something hot.

  • Use travel mugs with lids where possible to reduce the risk of spillage.

Child Safety Week is a reminder that many serious injuries can be prevented by taking small, manageable steps. By raising awareness and sharing advice, we can help reduce avoidable harm and ensure children stay safe as they grow and explore.