RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

April 14 , 2005
BID TO CUT FALLS AMONG CHILDREN IN NORTHERN IRELAND

As Northern Ireland Home Accident Prevention Week approaches, RoSPA has issued a seven-point plan to reduce the number of children who attend hospital each year after a fall at home.

The week runs from April 18 to 22 and has the theme of preventing falls among the under-fives – 500 children are admitted to hospital because of accidental falls in the home in Northern Ireland annually.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ tips are:

• Baby bouncers – keep them on the floor, never on a raised surface
• Highchairs - use a five-point safety harness. This has a strap between baby’s legs, straps that go over baby’s shoulders and straps that go under baby’s arms
• Highchairs – never leave a baby unattended in a high chair
• Bunk beds – bottom bunk only for children under six years-old
• Stairs – securely fix stair gates, preferably at the top and the bottom of the stairs and always use them
• Windows – fit window restrictor bars to stop children from falling out
• Grandparents also need to be aware of the danger when young relatives visit them

Janice Bisp, RoSPA Home Safety Manager for Northern Ireland, said: “Injuries from falls at home can be very serious especially from a height, but they are very easily prevented. Parents should act now and carry out a check on their home using our list.”

The week is organised by RoSPA and Home Accident Prevention Northern Ireland. HAP NI groups will be carrying our various activities throughout the week. For details of local groups, ring 02890 501160 or contact numbers can be found at www.rospa.com/ni/hap/