Child Safety Week

Child Safety Week, an annual initiative organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), is taking place between 23 and 29 June, on the theme of 'One moment changes everything'. The message of the week will be, 'Accidents happen in seconds but the effects can last a lifetime. Take action now for child safety.' CAPT said that Child Safety Week will aim to provide clear and accurate safety information, and to persuade local communities to take part in child safety activities. CAPT supports regional activities by offering planning days to put participants in touch with each other so they can share ideas. The Trust highlights the fact that accidents are the biggest killer of children and young people in the UK, causing thousands of serious injuries each year. It says they can be reduced by 'advocating change in legislation, improving product design, creating child-friendly environments and through better knowledge of how children's accidents are caused'. For more details about Child Safety Week, contact CAPT on 020 7608 3828 or by e-mail on csw@capt.org.uk. National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, which takes place between 11 and 17 May, will be encouraging the partners, family and friends of young mothers to impress on them the benefits of breastfeeding. The Department of Health said that one of the key messages of this year's awareness week will be that breastfeeding is the healthiest option for both mother and baby. It will also stress that mothers should not feel they are imposing on anyone and that they can breastfeed 'anytime, any place, anywhere'. The campaign, which again will focus on young mothers and mothers to be and lower income families, will also emphasise that breast milk provides complete nutrition for the first six months of life. For more information see www.doh.gov.uk/nbaw2003.