A new campaign is providing Lincolnshire families with useful advice on how to prevent accidental poisonings and eye injuries in the home.
Following successes in other parts of the country, the Royal Society for the Prevention Accidents (RoSPA) is bringing its Take Action Today, Put Them Away campaign to Lincolnshire. Funded by the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI), the campaign encourages parents to take action to protect their children from the risks associated with household cleaning products.
As part of the campaign, a handy magnetic notepad featuring key safety advice will be handed out to thousands of families by health visitors and children’s centre staff.
Cllr Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “Young children can be very inquisitive, and it’s not uncommon for them to swallow cleaning products or get them in their eyes. In fact, between 2018/19 to 2020/21, accidental poisonings accounted for 165 emergency admissions for 0-4-year-old in Lincolnshire.
“While such incidents don’t often lead to severe injuries, it can still be a very stressful and upsetting experience for both the child and their parents. The magnetic notepads will serve as a useful reminder of the simple steps families can take to reduce risk and avoid unwanted accidents.”
Advice to parents includes:
- Store household cleaning products out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard
- Always store chemicals in their original containers
- Never pierce or break laundry capsules or tablets
- Always close the lid of any product
- In the event of an incident, follow advice on the product pack and seek medical attention
Further information on the Take Action Today, Put Them Away campaign can be found at www.rospa.com.