Council Highlight Child Safety Week

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, in partnership with the Child Accident Prevention Trust, has taken part in Child Safety Week 2019. The week is designed to raise awareness of the risks of child accidents and how they can be prevented.

This year’s theme is ‘Family Life Today: Where’s the Risk?’ and highlights new dangers facing families today and simple solutions to keep children safe. To celebrate Child Safety Week, the Council’s Home Safety officers organised information stands at two local shopping centres in Newry City Centre. Council officers were on hand to answer questions and provide specially designed posters and leaflets alerting parents to the home hazards their children could be exposed to at different stages of their development.

New dangers in the home include button batteries that can kill when swallowed, washing capsules in bright colours that appeal to children but can be poison when ingested, and nappy sacks which, if left around or stored under cot mattresses, can suffocate babies.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Terry Andrews said, “Family life today is more complex than it’s ever been and often the very things that make life more convenient bring new risks. I would encourage families who live in the district and have children under five years old, to contact the Council and arrange a free and confidential home safety visit.”

As part of Child Safety Week, the Council gave members of the public the chance to win a carbon monoxide alarm for their home. Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by faulty or badly-serviced gas and other fossil fuel-burning appliances and systems and is known as the silent killer, because you cannot see it, smell it, hear it or taste it.

By taking part in this important week, the Council intends to encourage all parents and carers with young children, to follow the helpful tips to prevent accidents in the home, including installation and regular maintenance of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

For more information or to arrange a free confidential home safety visit, please contact the home safety team on 0300 013 2233.