The BBC claims that fire is the biggest threat to safety. A recent report said that approximately 35 children in the UK are killed every year by fire, while 1,200 children under the age of 11 are injured. It adds that about 437 children under five are seriously scalded in the bath each year, with hot bath water being the number one cause of severe scalding injuries among young children.

According to the The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), those most at risk from a home accident are the 0-4 year age group. Falls account for the majority of non-fatal accidents whilst the highest number of deaths, are indeed due to fire. "Most of these accidents are preventable through increased awareness, improvements in the home environment and greater product safety," insists the organization.

The ROSPA suggests that action be taken in four areas to help improve safety in the home:

Environment - Improvement in planning and design results in safer homes and leisure areas. Adaptations such as fireguards and stair gates help to make the home environment safer. Education - This involves increasing the awareness of the risk of accidents in a variety of settings and providing information on ways of minimising these risks.

Empowerment - Local consultation and community involvement can generate a strong sense of commitment and ownership. Accident prevention initiatives, which have been influenced by the community, are more likely to reflect local need and therefore encourage greater commitment.

Enforcement - There is legislation which relates to child safety. These regulations ensure that the products we buy meet a reasonable level of safety performance and that new dwellings meet an acceptable level of safety. For more information, visit www.rospa.com

Looking first at ‘environment', Nursery Industry found some useful information from Safer Houses, an organisation used as a reference point for keeping safe in and around your home. Concentrating on the areas that are relevant to you as a retailer, we highlight a range of suggested safety products, from fitting blank covers into empty sockets, to using safety gates at the top and the bottom of the stairs and covering sharp edges of furniture with protectors. The organisation also suggests that fireguards be fitted to any open fireplace and large expanses of windows or glass have brightly coloured stickers applied to warn of potential danger.

In addition, the ROSPA suggests parents use a securely fitted safety harness in a pram, pushchair or highchair; that safety gates comply to BS 4125 and smoke alarms to BS 5446, regularly checked; that the domestic hot water system is run at 46°C or a thermostatic mixing valve fitted to taps; medicines and chemicals are kept out of sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard; wherever possible, products are bought in child resistant containers and toys chosen appropriate to the age of the child. Retailers have a responsibility to meet the demand for safety products, by stocking a number of good quality ranges and offering sound advice on functionality.

Moving on to ‘education' and with it ‘empowerment', Nursery Industry brings you news of Child Safety Week, to be held from the 22-28th June. This is the Child Accident Prevention Trust's (CAPT) flagship community education campaign. It aims to raise awareness of the number of accidents that tragically lead to serious injury or death of children and young people and how to prevent them. The theme for Child Safety Week 2009 is: "Safer together" "Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a childminder or working in a role that involves caring for children, we all have a part to play, no matter how small. By working together as a family, alongside parents, with community groups or directly with children we can protect children and young people from serious injury and death from preventable accidents," said a spokesperson.

"You may be planning something simple such as a talk for children about being safer when they are out and about, making simple changes at home such as keeping hot drinks or saucepans out of children's reach, or organising a local event with fire safety officers' demonstrations of accident prevention, every little bit helps. Whatever your plans we will be providing you with the information and knowledge you need to make a difference," says the Trust on its website.

As a retailer, a full understanding of the range of safety products required for the home will help you to empower parents to make positive, potentially life-saving changes. While no safety product is ever a substitute for adequate parental supervision and though we have only covered a small but vital selection of products here, there are so many more you could source for your shelves in addition to those that help promote safety outside of the home.

You should also strongly consider supporting Child Safety Week, by at least carrying a poster which can be requested along with an information booklet from www.capt.org.uk. Retailers play a key role in passing safety knowledge on to parents and carers, so why not step it up a gear and become involved in a community project like this that aims to improve the public's understanding of potential hazards within the home?

Finally, moving onto ‘enforcement', the Baby Products Association (BPA) is the most reliable source of information for product safety and advice. The Association insists that parents ask themselves a range of questions before purchasing any product for baby, namely: WILL MY BABY BE SAFE USING THIS PRODUCT - HAS IT BEEN TESTED TO THE RELEVANT BRITISH, EUROPEAN OR INTERNATIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS AND DOES IT MEET THE REQUIRED EUROPEAN LEGISLATION? As a retailer it is vital that you can answer all of these questions before any money changes hands.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---