Safety first - at home

Rochdale families will benefit from a slice of £18 million to keep children safe at home and save lives.

A total of 2,133 Safe at Home packs will be distributed in the borough and could include equipment such as safety gates, window locks, non-slip bath mats, fire guards, cupboard locks and corner cushions.

The Government funding has been awarded to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to run the scheme in 141 areas in England with the highest accident rates for under fives.

It will be provided through local schemes by organisations such as SureStart Children’s Centres, councils and Primary Care Trusts.

RoSPA-trained staff will make home visits to assess individual needs, and will then tailor-make a package of equipment.

The three-year scheme is being introduced after consultation found that parents were unable to afford basic equipment to protect their children.

Children’s minister Delyth Morgan, said: “We know that accidents in the home are the biggest cause of injury to children under five, and that over one million children of all ages visit hospital every year because of an accident at home.

“These statistics are worrying, which is why we are targeting £18m of support to the areas where we can make the most difference.”

Errol Taylor, RoSPA deputy chief executive, said : “Clear links between deprivation and childhood accidents have been identified and that is why Safe at Home will help disadvantaged families access safety equipment.

“Such equipment, along with information about home accidents and how to prevent them, has the very real potential to save children’s lives and reduce the number and severity of their injuries.”