Child safety warning

As part of the National Child Safety Week (22 – 28 June) Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are issuing a series of warnings to all parents and guardians which highlight the common dangers faced by young children over the summer months.

Each summer the Fire Service attends an increased number of incidents involving young children and quite often these incidents end in tragedy.

Adventurous children often place themselves in danger without realising the potential consequences.

County Fire Officer Barry Dixon said: “It is important to educate young children about the dangers they face, parents and carers can reduce the risks they face by warning them before it’s too late."

The fire service is offering the following guidance:

Fires

Keep matches and lighters away from children. If we have a sustained dry period then children setting fire to rubbish and grass can result in fire crews attending minor incidents that not only damage the natural and local environment but potentially delay fire crews in attending more serious life threatening fires.

Water Awareness

Make sure your children are aware of the dangers of swimming in ponds and rivers. The temperature of inland water does not vary much throughout the year. The water in Britain is still very cold in the summer and people can quickly become affected by the cold putting themselves into difficulties, tragically too many children drown every year. Swimming should always be confined to a supervised pool with life guards.

Dangerous Buildings

Children climbing onto factory roofs and other buildings put themselves in great danger; all too often this results in the fire service attending a fatal incident to assist paramedics in gaining access to buildings where children have fallen through the roof.

Malicious Calls

Hoax calls tend to increase during the summer months, remember Hoax calls cost lives!!! A fire engine cannot be in two places at one time. If we are responding to a Hoax call it means we may be delayed in responding to a life threatening emergency.

Barbeque and Patio Heater Safety

Keep children well away from barbeques and patio heaters, there have been instances when children, whilst playing, have run into barbeques and heaters and suffered burns. NEVER use petrol to help light a barbecue.

Road Safety

The age group most at ‘Risk’ of being involved in an accident are children aged between 5 –14 years of age, with the highest casualty rates occurring with children aged 12. As a minimum please ensure your children know how to cross the road safely, have taken a cycling proficiency course and always wear a seat belt when travelling in a car. ALL cyclists should wear a properly fitted cycle helmet.