Children at home

Family of Indian Origin smiling and looking at camera As children develop more independence and start to explore the world, the risk of accidents increases. Scrapes, bumps and bruises are a normal part of an active childhood but more serious accidents can happen. Here are some of the most common accidents for primary-aged children and tips on how to avoid them.

Burns and scalds

In the kitchen

Turn saucepan handles to the back of the cooker or use the back of the hob to avoid knocking pans over.
Teach older children safety when using the oven, microwave or kettle.
Be careful with hot drinks as they can cause serious scalds.

In the bedroom

Hair appliances like hair straighteners get very hot, and stay hot, for some time after they have been switched off. Put straighteners in a heat-proof pouch or on a high shelf to cool.

In the garden

Make sure your child knows things like fire pits, candles and barbecues can stay hot for a long time. Don’t leave younger children unattended until everything has been put out and is completely cold.
Remind children of safety precautions around bonfires, fireworks and sparklers.

What to do if your child does get a burn or scolded:

Flood the area immediately with cool water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Once the burn has cooled, remove clothing from the injured area but leave it attached if it is sticking to the skin at all.
Don’t touch the injured area or burst any blisters as this can cause infection.
Take off jewellery and watches from the injured area as it may swell.
Loosely cover the burn or scald with non-fluffy material to stop infection. Cling film is ideal but don’t wrap it around, just lay it loosely on top.
Don’t apply any cream, ointment, grease, antiseptic spray or plasters.
Get advice from a doctor or go to your local hospital’s A&E department.

Trips and falls

Try to keep trip hazards like spills, cables and leads are kept out of the way.
Teach your child to look where they are going, especially going up or down stairs.
Use slip-resistant mats in rooms with slippery floors, like bathrooms and kitchens.
Have a properly fitting cycle helmet for bike and scooter riding.
Poor eyesight could increase their risks of trips and falls so wearing glasses or having an eye test is important.

If your child is knocked unconscious by a fall you should dial 999 and ask for an ambulance, letting the call handler know your child is unconscious.

Cuts and scrapes

There’s no set age you can leave your child at home alone but it’s against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk. Parents must use their own judgement based on their child’s maturity however it’s not recommended to leave a child under 12 at home alone, particularly for longer periods of time or overnight.

Families who might need further support

A child with coordination difficulties is at an increased risk of trips and falls. Take a look at some of the guidance from our children’s therapies colleagues to help improve coordination.

Useful resources

The Child Accident Prevention Trust has lots of information on keeping your child safe.