Each year thousands of children are admitted to hospital following accidents, and lots of these accidents are preventable.

Remember: 

  • Most accidents can be stopped before they happen

  • Watch your child closely

  • If you can see a danger, you can stop an accident!

What to do if your child has an accident

If you're worried about your child and are not sure if they need medical help, call NHS 111. For expert advice on helping babies and young people when they're poorly, please use The Little Orange Book. 

How to protect your child 

Here's how to protect your child from some of the most common accidents:

Falls

Children can fall and get hurt, especially from high places.

  • Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs (for kids under 2)
  • At the top of your stairs use a safety gate without a trip bar
  • Once your child starts moving towards the stairs, teach them safe stair climbing
  • If you can, keep furniture away from windows
  • Use window locks or restrictors
  • Strap your child into highchairs
  • Use non-slip mats in the bath
  • Change babies on the floor, not on furniture
  • Keep stairs clear of toys and clutter
  • If you can fix TVs and furniture to the wall so they don’t fall over

Poisoning

Some things in your home can be dangerous if they are swallowed.

  • Lock away medicines and cleaning products
  • Use cupboard locks or store things high up
  • Keep small (button) batteries and magnets out of reach

Trouble breathing (choking, suffocation, strangulation)

Small things or loose cords can be very dangerous.

  • Tie up blind cords and cables
  • Keep small toys and parts out of reach
  • Follow safe sleep advice for babies
  • Keep nappy bags away from children
  • Cut food into small pieces and watch your child while they eat

Burns and scalds

Hot things can burn quickly.

  • Keep hot drinks away from any edges
  • Don’t hold your child while holding a hot drink
  • Turn pan handles inwards and use the back rings on the cooker
  • Put away hot hair tools safely, even while cooling
  • Put cold water in the bath first and test the water with your elbow

Drowning

Even a little bit of water can be dangerous.

  • ALWAYS stay with your child at bath time
  • Bath seats are NOT safety devices
  • NEVER leave children alone near water
  • Empty paddling pools and hot tubs after use; fence off ponds.