A new campaign is hoping to reduce the number of young children in Bath and North East Somerset who are injured falling from height.
As part of National Child Safety Week which runs from 23rd-29th June, Bath & North East Somerset Council has produced a new poster which has been sent to all early years settings and primary schools reminding parents and carers of the importance of being close by and alert when children are climbing.
Between 50 -60 children a year from Bath and North East Somerset are admitted to hospital following a serious fall.
Wendy Harris, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Injury Prevention Officer, said: “We are asking parents to encourage and support their children to be more physically active to improve their health and build resilience and at the same time remind them not to get distracted by mobile devices when children are playing and climbing. It only takes seconds for a child to fall from a height.”
Nationally, Child Safety Week with parents, carers and children has a focus on preventing accidents during the morning rush to get to school and work.
Katrina Phillips, Chief Executive at the Child Accident Prevention Trust, the national charity that runs Child Safety Week said: “Mornings are chaotic for many families.
“In the mad rush to get everyone ready, out of the house and off to school or nursery, children can suffer serious accidents.
“It could be your toddler grabbing the hot coffee on the worktop, your baby standing on scorching hair straighteners, or your 12 year old stepping off the kerb into the path of a car.
“With the help of local groups and centres, families can learn how to get on top of morning dangers despite the chaos. Parents can find more practical safety tips on the Child Safety Week website www.childsafetyweek.org.uk/parents.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council is also supporting the national focus with information for parents.
Cllr David Dixon (Lib Dem, Oldfield) Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is working hard to help families to focus on real risks and the simple things they can do to stop serious accidents.
“Child Safety Week is the ideal time for us to engage with families and offer activities where they can learn about safety and have some fun too.”