Accidents can happen in seconds - but the effects can last a lifetime
Child Safety Week 23-29 June 2003

One moment can change everything. Accidents happen in seconds but the effects can last a lifetime. This is the message from Child Accident Prevention Week this June.

Over the next year, around 400 children will be killed in accidents. Accidents will also put over 120,000 children and young people in hospital. Among the most serious injuries in the home are burns, scalds and falls. Burns and scalds can lead to years of painful skin grafts and scarring for life; falls can results in broken bones and head injury. Outdoors the most serious accidental injuries are those from pedestrian and cycling accidents.

For most children, accidents mean nothing more than the scrapes and bruises that are part of playing, exploring and growing-up, explained the Trust's chief executive, Katrina Phillips. "But for some children and their families, accidents will have far reaching consequences and these are the accidents that we want to prevent from happening.

"Accident literally happen in seconds," continued Katrina. "It takes just one moment for a toddler to fall down stairs, a cup of tea to be spilt, a chip pan to catch light, a child to dash into the road or fall of a bike. But it only takes a little forethought to prevent these accidents happening."

Parents can obtain single copies or a set of seven safety advice leaflets or booklets about getting over an accident (please state child's age) by sending a stamped addressed envelope (45p) to CSW Topic Leaflets, Child Accident Prevention Trust 18-20 Farringdon Lane, London EC1R 3HA.

Child Accident Prevention Trust is a national charity committed to reducing the number of children and young people killed, disable and seriously injured as a result of accidents. They can be contacted direct on 020 7689 4745 or www.capt.org.uk