Parents urged to think more about safety

Four youngsters an hour are admitted to hospital following mishaps indoor, even though most parents think houses are safe places, according to the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT).

While most adults are wise to the risks of falls and scalding, they are less prepared for accidents involving washing pellets, hair straighteners, falls from windows and smoke from fires,

Swallowing things was one reason why 11 toddlers a day are admitted, while burns accounted for another six. Some 45 a day were treated after serious falls.

Although the survey of more than 2,000 parents found almost three-quarters worried about their children coming to harm, almost half believe accidents will happen come what may.

CAPT chief executive Katrina Phillips said: "What's worrying is that, with four small children hospitalised every hour, many parents think there's nothing they can do."

She stressed that spending a couple of minutes a day making small changes in the home could make a huge difference to safety.

Children were victims of poisoning by soaps and deodorants, accidents involving tablets used in washing machines, burns from hair straighteners, and scalds from bath water – sometimes needing months or even years of painful skin grafts.

A separate study by Which? , published yesterday, revealed that nearly half of children aged between four and 12 are at risk of serious injury from side-on car crashes.

The magazine surveyed more than 1,000 parents of children aged between four and 12, who should, by law, use child car seats, for child safety week.

The poll showed that 17 per cent did not use car seats at all, and a further 30 per cent used backless booster cushions which offer less protection than seats.