Choking, suffocation and strangulation

Blind cords and chains can pose a serious strangulation risk to babies and young children. Incidents can happen very quickly and silently, even in familiar places such as bedrooms and living rooms.  

The following steps help keep children safe:

Always:

• Keep furniture away from windows so children cannot climb up to reach cords or chains
• Check every room where children spend time, not just bedrooms
• Use suitable safety devices, such as tidies, tensioners or cleats, to secure cords and chains
• Secure cords around cleats in a figure of eight. Fit at least 1.5m from the floor and out of children's reach
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions and fit any safety devices supplied
• Keep cots, beds, highchairs, playpens and other climbable furniture away from windows.

Never:

• Cut cords or chains, as this may not remove the risk and could damage the blind
• Fit a blind with a looped cord or chain in a child's bedroom
• Leave older blinds in place if they cannot be made safe
• Assume blinds are safe without checking cords, chains and safety devices. 

Blind cords are not the only household item that can present a risk, young children can become entangled in other everyday items: 

Always:

• Keep ropes, belts and other long cords out of reach
• Remove cot mobiles and suspended toys once a baby can reach them
• Check clothing and bags with drawstrings for potential hazards
• Be aware of rotary washing lines when folded down.

Never:

• Leave items with loops or long cords where children can access them.

Nappy sacks are thin plastic bags used to dispose of dirty nappies, but they can pose a serious risk if babies or young children can reach them. The thin plastic can cling to a baby’s nose and mouth, making it difficult to breathe:

Always:

• Keep nappy sacks and all plastic bags out of reach of babies and young children
• Store unused sacks safely, away from cots, beds, changing areas and play spaces
• Dispose of used sacks immediately.

Never:

• Leave loose nappy sacks in a baby’s sleeping area, under a mattress or anywhere a child could reach them.  

For more information please visit: RoSPA Nappy sacks safety 

Choking is a serious but often preventable risk for babies and young children. Food, toys and everyday items can all become choking hazards. Choking is recognised as one of the leading causes of accidental death worldwide and most choking-related deaths in early childhood happen in the home. The following steps can help keep children safe: 

Always:

• Cut grapes, cherry tomatoes and similar foods into quarters
• Cut sausages lengthways and into small pieces
• Encourage children to sit upright when eating and drinking
• Supervise babies and young children during meals and snacks
• Keep small objects, including toy parts, coins and button batteries, out of reach
• Check floors and low surfaces regularly for small items that could be a choking hazard.
  

Never:

• • Allow children to eat while walking, running, playing or lying down
  • Leave a young child unattended while eating
  • Leave small objects in reach of babies and young children.

Water beads are small gel beads that absorb water and expand in size. They may look like sweets or small toys and can be attractive to young children. If swallowed, water beads can cause choking or serious intestinal blockages that require urgent medical treatment. 

Always:

• Keep water beads away from children under five
• Only use water beads with older children under close adult supervision
• Store water beads out of sight and reach of children
• Consider the risks for older children and adults who may be more likely to put objects in their mouth, including some people with special educational needs and disabilities
• Get medical help immediately if you think a child or adult has swallowed a water bead
• Watch for possible signs of swallowing, including vomiting, stomach pain or abdominal swelling. Symptoms may appear hours or days later.
  

Never:

• Leave water beads where a young child can access them.  

Small, high-strength magnets can be found in toys, novelty items, jewellery and household products. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attract each other inside the body and cause serious internal injuries:  

Always:

• Keep small, high-strength magnets locked away and out of children’s reach
• Buy toys from reputable retailers and check they are suitable for the child’s age
• Check toys regularly for damage or loose parts that could release magnets
• Talk to older children about the risks to themselves and younger siblings
• Seek urgent medical help if a magnet may have been swallowed.

Never:  

• Allow children to play with damaged products containing magnets.

If a child is injured

Seek urgent medical help if you think a child has swallowed a magnet, button, water bead or any object that may cause harm. If a child is choking or having difficulty breathing, call 999 immediately.

For more information, visit RoSPA Magnet safety