Child Safety Policy
Blind Cords
At RoSPA, we typically hear about one or two children dying after becoming tangled in blind cords in the UK each year and, of course, there are many more near misses. RoSPA has called upon the blind industry for a number of years to take voluntary action to reduce the risk of looped cords and is working with The Department for Business Innovation and Skills, CEN (the European Committee for Standardization), the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) and the Child Accident Prevention Trust to investigate design modifications and raise awareness of the safety issues. Complementing this, a new European standard related to blinds was introduced last year and we hope it will lead to a visible change in the products on the market. If not, then RoSPA firmly believes that the only way to address this issue is through specific regulations (either derived from Europe or from the UK) that address these hazards.
Baby walkers
RoSPA actively discourages the use of baby walkers because of the high number of accidents associated with their use and the lack of any evidence that they assist a baby’s development.
While baby walkers continue to be marketed, RoSPA supports the requirement that they must satisfy all aspects of the British Standard as a minimum requirement.
NB The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) called for a ban on baby walkers at their annual conference 2000. Physiotherapists blame baby walkers for 4000 injuries per year and also claim that baby walkers disrupt the ability of children to develop walking and visual skills and stop them from properly exploring their surroundings.
Choking hazards and food
RoSPA deprecates the marketing of toys embedded in sweets intended for children because of the choking hazard.
RoSPA would like a clearer warning of the choking hazard on any toy sold in association with a food item.
Bunk beds
RoSPA recommends that children under the age of six years do not use the upper bunk 1
NB Most accidents involving bunk beds occur when children are playing on them. Children should be encouraged not to play on bunk beds.
Sleeping arrangements for small babies
RoSPA recommends that babies under 6 months old never sleep in the same bed as an adult. It is possible for a sleeping adult to smother and suffocate a tiny baby without realizing.
NB The risk if an adult smothering a baby reduces with the increased age of the child.
References:
1 BS EN 747 British Standard Specification for Bunk Beds, British Standards Institution 1988
RoSPA's Child Home Safety Advice and Information.
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