Doctors seek to raise awareness of child safety at home

Posted by: Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity
30th January, 2012

Two doctors from Great Ormond Street Hospital’s intensive care team are seeking to raise awareness amongst parents about the importance of child safety in the home.

Dr’s Joe Brierley and Ruchi Sinha say they have seen a number of patients being admitted to the intensive care unit over the last year as a result of tragic accidents involving everyday scenarios.

Watch our interview with them to find out more:

Dr Brierley said: “Any parent will know that it is impossible to entirely childproof a home, and that the odd accident is often part of growing up. However, there are steps parents can take to avoid dangerous situations arising”:

• Heavy items, such as televisions and bookshelves should be kept against walls and tightly secured
• Loose items, such as curtain cords, should be clipped tightly
• Child unfriendly products should be kept out of children’s reach, for example cleaning fluid, medicines, and matches
• Smoke detectors should be installed on each floor of the house, and checked frequently

“In addition, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents provides a wealth of information about child safety in the home on their website.”