Preventing accidents: tips for parents
Schools are closed and we have been lucky to have warm weather, sadly we are hearing that children in Sandwell have been having accidents during this time.
Playing and exploring is a great way to learn and stay healthy, bumps and bruises are part of growing up. It is important to avoid trips to hospital and serious injury whilst still having fun. With parents juggling childcare and working from home it is a challenging time to try to keep children busy and safe. Here are Sandwell School Nursing’s top tips for keeping safe.
In Sandwell we are never far away from water when out for a walk- canals, pools in the park and everyone loves a splash in the paddling pool in the garden. Children can drown in as little as 5cm of water. Make sure that children are always supervised and understand that they must take care around water.
Walking and bike rides are a good way to exercise; safety around the roads is an essential skill for children to learn. Encourage road safety by using crossings; make sure that your child wears a helmet for bikes rides, skating and scooters. Take a look at Brake for information to support children learn about road safety
http://www.brake.org.uk/component/content/article/21-facts-a-resources/resources/321-parents
We also have many rail and tram routes throughout Sandwell, including level crossings. You can find information about rail safety on line here: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/stay-safe-with-thomas/
Help to avoid accidents in the home by keeping medicines and chemicals (cleaning products, garden chemicals) locked away and out of reach. Burns can be very painful and cause scars. Children love to learn by touching and holding things but they have very delicate skin. Hair straighteners get very, very hot and stay hot even when they have been unplugged; keep straighteners well out of reach. Children learn a lot helping adults in the kitchen, supervision around hot drinks and the cooker helps them try new things whilst keeping safe. Make sure that children cannot reach or climb up to open windows. Use of catches and locks on windows can reduce the risk of falls but keep the keys in easy reach.
Remember that NHS 111, GPs and hospitals are still providing the same care that they have always done.
For further information and pictures to share with children:
