Child safety message goes out to festive families

22 December 2008

Leaflets advising families on how to stay safe over the Christmas holiday period are being distributed through children's centres, housing associations and shopping centres.

More than 150,000 of the Government leaflets, which are designed to look like advent calendars and entitled, 'Tis the season to be careful', will be given out to offer tips on avoiding hazardous situations. They warn parents to take care not only with candles and games but with aftershave, perfume and dregs in glasses when young children are around.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, more than 80,000 people are expected to turn up at accident and emergency units during the 12 days of Christmas because of typical festive incidents which include: children falling off rocking horses or smashing new bikes into walls; parents stabbing themselves with scissors; parents cutting themselves with knives after trying to open presents too quickly; and drunken party guests crashing to the floor when they miss their seat at the dinner table. Around 1,000 people will go to hospital because of accidents with Christmas trees; 1,000 will be hurt by trimmings or when decorating their homes; and 350 will be hurt by Christmas tree lights.

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