Avoid the worst - put child safety first

Archived press release

Date Published: 09/06/06

AVDC and Buckinghamshire County Council are supporting this year’s Child Safety Week (19 – 25 June) by reinforcing the message that a few small, simple steps can prevent many childhood accidents. Nearly 300 children are admitted to ho...

AVDC and Buckinghamshire County Council are supporting this year’s Child Safety Week (19 – 25 June) by reinforcing the message that a few small, simple steps can prevent many childhood accidents.

Nearly 300 children are admitted to hospital every day because of childhood accidents and, tragically, nearly every day one child dies. Many of these accidents are predictable and preventable.

Parents, grandparents and carers will be able to pick up plenty of hints and tips on how to put child safety first by visiting the councils’s child safety stand at Tesco in Broadfields, Aylesbury, between 10am and 2.30pm on 20 June.

The county council’s Trading Standards service and the district council’s Environmental Health team will be offering free advice on child seat safety checks and how to avoid accidents at home, such as poisoning and chocking.

Staff from Trading Standards will be able to advise on fitting child seats correctly and will be warning of the dangers of using second hand car seats. The aim is to prompt more parents to take action to reduce the risk of their children being injured or killed in a car crash.

County Councillor Margaret Dewar, Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “Buying a car seat is only the first step towards ensuring a child is safe. A seat must also be fitted and used correctly. The more people who are aware of the importance of correctly fitting a car seat the better. It could ultimately save their child’s life.”

District Councillor Michael Edmonds, Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment and Health, said: “More than 100,000 children are injured every year in an accident at home. AVDC is keen to spread the message that many of these injuries are avoidable and could be prevented. We would urge parents, grandparents and carers to visit the information stand and discover the quick, simple checks that can prevent many childhood accidents.”

For further information and advice on child safety, parents can log onto www.capt.org.uk