Although the UK has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, we still have a long way to go to ensure the safety of every child. While deaths from natural causes are rare, accidental deaths are far too common.
Every year, 100 children under the age of nine are killed in accidents, making them the second biggest cause of childhood death after cancer. Many of these accidents are preventable, and this is where the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) comes in.
CAPT is the UK’s leading charity working to reduce the number of deadly and dangerous childhood accidents. Every year it holds a Child Safety Week which aims to start a national conversation about accident prevention. This year’s theme is Safety Made Simple, focusing on basic changes that parents and childcare workers can make to improve safety.
If you work in a school, Child Safety Week is a great opportunity to reach out to parents and improve safety together. It’s also a chance to refresh your own memory around accident prevention and first aid.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the most common risks for children, and what you can do to keep them out of harm’s way.
Remember the basics
If you work in a school, we’re sure you’re well aware of your safety obligations. A school is a varied environment with multiple hazards, so it’s important to always be on the lookout for new dangers. It would be impossible to list them all here, but there are some basic rules of thumb that can help prevent the most common accidents:
- Keep classrooms and corridors free of tripping hazards.
- Enforce a strict “no running” policy in indoor areas.
- Make sure there are no trailing wires from computers or other electrical equipment.
- Ensure that equipment such as Bunsen burners and power tools are only used under supervision, and that protective clothing is always worn.
- Run regular fire drills and make sure that fire exits are clearly marked and free of obstructions.
Don’t leave parents out of the loop
Around 75% of childhood accidents happen at home, so it’s important to engage parents on the topic. The CAPT website has a range of free resources in multiple languages that you can send home with your pupils. These include guides to preventing common household accidents such as burns and choking, as well as advice on less well-known dangers such as button batteries.
Many of these resources come in the form of posters or flyers, so you may also want to display them in the classroom.
Don’t forget about first-aid
No matter how careful you are, accidents can still happen. That’s why it’s vital to provide adequate first-aid training and equipment for your staff. This is a legal requirement in most workplaces, but as you’ll know there are special rules covering schools and colleges.
Every school is required to carry out a first-aid needs assessment. This means taking a close look at the number of children on site and the risks they are exposed to, and then using this information to provide adequate first aid resources. These should always include the following:
- A first-aid kit that meets the minimum requirements set out by HSE.
- A trained first-aider or, at the very least, an appointed person in charge of first-aid.
- Readily available information for employees about first-aid equipment and procedures.
State schools in England are also required to provide health education for students. This includes basic first-aid for primary pupils, and more advanced techniques such as CPR for pupils in secondary school. A full list of these requirements can be found on the government website.
First-aid support
Even if you don’t work with children, you still must prioritise first-aid training. It is an invaluable life skill. In the event of an emergency, you will be equipped to help save a life. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, but being prepared and knowing how to help the situation is paramount to protecting those involved. Whether you want to train a first-aider from scratch or just refresh your team’s knowledge, we have a training course to meet your needs. Our courses cover everything from controlling bleeding to using a defibrillator, all taught by experts. Get in touch today to book your place.
