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  • Ages and stages

    Ages and stages

    Many parents are taken by surprise by what their baby or toddler does next. So we encourage parents to stay one step ahead of their developing child, understanding what behaviours – and the accidents associated with them – may come next. Read more

  • Making sense of accidents

    Making sense of accidents

    Many accidents are a part of growing up. Children need to explore and experiment. But some children suffer the pain of serious accidents that can alter the course of their lives forever. Most of these serious accidents are completely preventable by making simple solutions or changes to routines. Read more

  • Safety equipment

    Safety equipment

    Safety equipment can help to create a safer environment for your child. It doesn’t replace the need for supervision, especially with younger children, but it can make protecting your child easier. Read more

  • Ages and stages
  • Making sense of accidents
  • Safety equipment
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  1. Safety advice

Main causes of accident and injury

Ages and stages

Ages and stages

Many parents are taken by surprise by what their baby or toddler does next. So we encourage parents to stay one step ahead of their developing child, understanding what behaviours – and the accidents associated with them – may come next. Read more

Published: 1st April, 2020

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Burns and scalds

Burns and scalds

95% of all childhood burns and scalds happen at home. Most are caused in the day-to-day situations that many parents don’t anticipate, like children reaching for hot coffee or grabbing hair straighteners. Read more

Published: 30th September, 2018

Updated: 21st October, 2020

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Button batteries

Button batteries

Button batteries, particularly big, powerful lithium coin cell batteries, can badly hurt or kill a small child if they swallow one and it gets stuck in their food pipe. Find out more. Read more

Published: 13th January, 2021

Updated: 27th March, 2022

Author:

Choking

Choking

Each day around 40 under-5s are rushed to hospital after choking on something, or swallowing something dangerous. Be particularly aware of sweet items such as mini eggs around Easter time - these are exactly the same size as a toddler's airway. Read more

Published: 24th February, 2019

Updated: 20th May, 2021

Author:

Cycle safety

Cycle safety

Cycling is a great way to keep fit and active. However, whether it’s a young child cycling in the park on his first bike, or an older child cycling to school, cycle accidents are a real risk for children and young people. Read more

Published: 2nd June, 2021

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Drowning

Drowning

For young children, there is a real risk of drowning in the home or garden, including neighbours’ gardens. As they get older, the risks are associated more with children exploring and challenging themselves around water. Read more

Published: 10th August, 2020

Updated: 22nd June, 2021

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

E-cigarettes

E-cigarettes

Babies and toddlers are inquisitive and learn about the world by putting things in their mouth. There's a risk of poisoning from e-cigarette liquid and, as with medicines and cleaning products, ecigarettes and e-liquids should be kept out of the reach of children Read more

Published: 23rd January, 2020

Updated: 11th March, 2020

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Electric shocks

Electric shocks

The good news is that children are at very little risk from electric shocks. Electrical sockets are designed to be safe. But electricity can be dangerous in other ways. Read more

Published: 24th February, 2017

Updated: 31st March, 2020

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Falls

Falls

Falls are the most common cause of accidental injury to children. While most falls aren’t serious – active children often fall over – some falls can lead to death or long-term disability. Read more

Published: 24th February, 2020

Updated: 12th August, 2020

Author:

Fire Safety

Fire Safety

Families are almost three times more likely to die in fires that start in the night – if they don’t have working smoke alarms, they breathe in the poisonous smoke and never wake up. Read more

Published: 13th March, 2019

Updated: 11th March, 2020

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Garden safety

Garden safety

From poisonous plants to weed killer, trampolines to barbecues, there are a number of potential hazards in the garden that parents should be aware of in order to make them safer places for children to play in during these months of confinement (and beyond). Check out your safety knowledge by trying our quiz. Read more

Published: 3rd April, 2020

Updated: 29th April, 2020

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

In-car safety

In-car safety

Car seats can be mind-boggling! How do you know if you’ve got the right seat for your child and for your car? When should you move them to the next stage? Our advice on in-car safety can help. Read more

Published: 15th November, 2021

Updated: 7th April, 2022

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Magnets

Magnets

Super strong magnets can rip through a child’s gut if they swallow them, causing life-threatening injuries. Find out more. Read more

Published: 28th July, 2021

Updated: 26th November, 2021

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Making sense of accidents

Making sense of accidents

Many accidents are a part of growing up. Children need to explore and experiment. But some children suffer the pain of serious accidents that can alter the course of their lives forever. Most of these serious accidents are completely preventable by making simple solutions or changes to routines. Read more

Published: 4th July, 2017

Updated: 2nd April, 2020

Author:

Comments: 1

Pedestrian safety

Pedestrian safety

Children need help to learn how to cross the road safely. And there’s a lot you can do as a parent or carer to support them. Read more

Published: 2nd June, 2021

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Poisoning

Poisoning

Suspected poisoning is one of the most common reasons for young children to be taken to A&E. Every day, 15 young children are admitted into hospital because it’s thought they’ve swallowed something poisonous. Read more

Published: 24th August, 2016

Updated: 14th September, 2020

Author:

Safety equipment

Safety equipment

Safety equipment can help to create a safer environment for your child. It doesn’t replace the need for supervision, especially with younger children, but it can make protecting your child easier. Read more

Published: 24th January, 2017

Updated: 29th April, 2020

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Strangulation

Strangulation

Although strangulation is sometimes picked up in the news as a ‘freak’ accident, it is not uncommon. Babies and small children reach and grab for things that catch their eye, and this includes strings, ribbons and cords. They also get tangled in cords when climbing. Read more

Published: 24th February, 2017

Updated: 23rd February, 2021

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Suffocation

Suffocation

Babies and young children don't have the control that adults have over their bodies. They can wriggle and squirm but it is harder for them to move out of a dangerous situation. Read more

Published: 18th March, 2017

Updated: 23rd February, 2021

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

Toy Safety

Toy Safety

While toys sold by well-known, reputable stores are generally safe, toys, novelty items and dressing-up clothes that you can buy in online marketplaces, markets or discount stores may not be. Take care and don't assume that, just because you can buy something, it must be safe. Read more

Published: 13th December, 2019

Updated: 23rd September, 2021

Author: Kirsty Stephenson

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Showing 10 of 20

Latest

  • WATCH: Button battery dangers and how to stay safe – Free webinar replay

    WATCH: Button battery dangers and how to stay safe – Free webinar replay

    Watch the free recording of our webinar on the dangers of button batteries to learn why they are so dangerous, where they can be found and what to do if you suspect a child has swallowed one.

  • Flyer and poster

    Flyer and poster

    Our hard-hitting flyer, available in English and Welsh, explains the risks and offers safety tips and emergency advice. Our colourful poster prompts parents to hunt for button batteries in their homes.

  • Session plan

    Session plan

    Our dual-purpose flashcard and session plan is designed to help you run an engaging workshop with parents. With a visual aid, workshop outline and safety facts and tips to share.

  • New English fact sheet

    New English fact sheet

    Our fact sheet provides essential advice about the risks to children, where to look for button batteries and what to do in an emergency. Download and share.

Most read

  • Why are grapes so dangerous?

    Why are grapes so dangerous?

    Doctors have issued a stark warning that young children can choke to death on whole grapes.

  • Button batteries

    Button batteries

    Button batteries, particularly big, powerful lithium coin cell batteries, can badly hurt or kill a small child if they swallow one and it gets stuck in their food pipe. Find out more.

  • Making sense of accidents

    Making sense of accidents

    Many accidents are a part of growing up. Children need to explore and experiment. But some children suffer the pain of serious accidents that can alter the course of their lives forever. Most of these serious accidents are completely preventable by making simple solutions or changes to routines.

  • Choking

    Choking

    Each day around 40 under-5s are rushed to hospital after choking on something, or swallowing something dangerous. Be particularly aware of sweet items such as mini eggs around Easter time - these are exactly the same size as a toddler's airway.

  • Fact sheets

    Fact sheets

    Bite-sized facts and safety tips on the main accident risks to children. Easy to read, use and share. Suitable for printing off, emailing, Whatsapp-ing or posting on social.

  • Falls

    Falls

    Falls are the most common cause of accidental injury to children. While most falls aren’t serious – active children often fall over – some falls can lead to death or long-term disability.

  • In-car safety

    In-car safety

    Car seats can be mind-boggling! How do you know if you’ve got the right seat for your child and for your car? When should you move them to the next stage? Our advice on in-car safety can help.

  • About Child Safety Week

    About Child Safety Week

    Child Safety Week is an annual community education campaign run by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), acting as a catalyst for thousands of safety conversations and activities UK-wide.

  • Suffocation

    Suffocation

    Babies and young children don't have the control that adults have over their bodies. They can wriggle and squirm but it is harder for them to move out of a dangerous situation.

  • Burns and scalds

    Burns and scalds

    95% of all childhood burns and scalds happen at home. Most are caused in the day-to-day situations that many parents don’t anticipate, like children reaching for hot coffee or grabbing hair straighteners.

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Child Accident Prevention Trust
PO Box 74189
London E14 1SQ
United Kingdom
[email protected]
t. 020 7608 3828
f. 020 7608 3674
Registered charity no. 1053549

Child Accident Prevention Trust is a registered charity number 1053549 and a company limited by guarantee number 3147845. Registered in England and Wales. Registered office address: c/o PKF Littlejohn, 15 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 4HD. VAT registration no. 740387826.