Childhood accident prevention
Each year many children are killed or injured in accidents that are entirely preventable.
In recent years we have seen reductions in both children injured on our roads and of children attending hospital following injuries. While this is good news the The Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) and the Child Accident Prevention Trust provide lots of helpful resources and tips for keeping children safe both out and about and at home.
These include:
- Preventing burns and scalds
- Toy safety including button batteries and magnets
- Garden safety and fireworks
- Poisoning including medicine safety
- Suffocating and choking
- Drowning
- Road safety
Childhood accident prevention resources
Information is available in a variety of languages.
- I'm only a baby but...- picture book
- Babies: Top safety tips for new parents - leaflet
- As I grow and change I can - picture book
- How safe is your child at home? guide
- Preventing unintentional injuries: A guide for all staff working with children under five years - Public Health England (2017)
Safer sleep advice for babies
Each year a small number of babies sadly die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, sometimes called SIDS or Cot Death. While the cause of SIDS is not known research shows that following safer sleep advice can significantly reduce the chance of SIDS.
The Lullaby Trust provides information and safety advise for promoting safer sleep with babies in their first year of life. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own cot which is clear from toys, loose bedding or cot bumpers. SIDS is reduced when a baby is put to sleep on their back and the room is between 16 and 20˚C. Breastfeeding for at least 2 months has also been shown to halve the risk of SIDS and smoking while pregnant or after the baby is born has been shown to increase the risk of SIDS.
To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) the safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. However, many parents find themselves co-sleeping whether they mean to or not. Some parents choose to share a bed or other sleep surface with their baby. The Lullaby Trust also provides advice on how to make beds safe for a baby to co-sleep safely, including when not to co-sleep.
The risk of SIDS is 50 times higher for babies when they sleep on a sofa or armchair with an adult. They are also at risk of accidental death or injury as they can slip into a position where they are trapped or can’t breathe.
Guidance
- Safer sleep for babies: a guide for parents and carers
- Our public health webpages on breastfeeding and help to stop smoking
- Off to the best start A5 leaflets - a guide to help you start breastfeeding
Sight tests and vision screening
Short-sightedness (myopia) is increasing, globally and in the UK. It is now twice as common as in the 1950s and children are becoming short-sighted at an earlier age. Yet, over 20% of parents have never taken their child for an eye test. It is also more common in children whose parents are short-sighted and in children from South Asian and African Caribbean families.
Increases in close working such as reading, computers, small screens and spending less time outside has likely driven the increase in short-sightedness. The College of Optometrists therefore recommend that children, particularly those aged 5 to 12:
- Limit screen time
- Spend at least 2 hours every day outside
- Have regular sight tests
- When on screen or reading – hold the device or book at least 30cm from the face
The only way to prevent myopia from getting worse is with corrective lenses.
Keeping children fit, active and connected
While the numbers of accidents and injuries at home and out and about have reduced over the last decade it is still important to ensure that children maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Public health works with partner agencies to increase physical activity and thereby reduce childhood obesity.
Public health encourages schools to take part in termly ‘Disconnect to Reconnect” weeks in schools. During these weeks schools encourage pupils and parents to consciously turn off their phones, iPads, and other devices and engage instead in activities that foster connection.
For more information and specialist health advise on keeping babies and young children safe please contact the health visiting service or for school-aged children, the school health service.
For more information on the work of public health please visit the following pages:
DHSC campaign resources
The following resources are available:
Updated: 06 February 2025
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