Be a hero for Child Safety Week

Plymouth City Council is supporting the campaign which reminds everyone of their role in setting a good example to children and helping to keep them safe.

The Child Accident Prevention Trust's annual awareness campaign starts on 24 June 2013.

A themed bus will in Place de Brest in the city centre from 10am to 5pm on Friday 28 June. There will be advice from agencies in the city about:

• Safety in the home,
• Fire safety,
• Road safety,
• Sun safety,
• Smoking safety in the home,
• Trading Standards and toy safety,
• Advice from Plymouth Health Visiting service.

Staff from the Council, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, children’s centres and Plymouth Community Healthcare will be on the bus with films and demonstrations.

Cabinet member for Children and Young People, Councillor Nicky Williams said: “We know that accidents are the most common cause of death in children over one year old and the most common reason that children and young people end up in emergency departments.

“It’s important we help families identify what the risks are and what they can do to create safe environments for their children.”

National and local data show that falls are the most common cause of serious childhood accidents and the most common cause of hospital emergency admissions for children. The second most common cause for hospital admissions in younger children is ingestion of poisonous substances (in particular medicines).

Accidental injury is one of the biggest killers of children in the UK, second only to cancer.

For advice on fire safety, please visit the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue website or go to www.gov.uk/firekills.

To find out more about Child Safety Week go to the CAPT website www.childsafetyweek.org.uk