Safety advice Health and Safety education / health

NOYADE / DROWNING

Description
HOME
Always supervise children in or near water,
Never leave a child under five alone in a bath even for a moment - do not use bath seats as they do not prevent drowning,
Empty the bath immediately after use.

GARDEN
Drain or securely cover garden ponds,
Do not leave anything in the garden that could collect rainwater - turn buckets, wheelbarrows etc over or put them away after use.

Credits: Child Accident Prevention Trust - http://www.capt.org.uk

SWIMMING POOLS
Everyone who owns a swimming pool in France needs to be aware that the law has changed. The law now requires that all new pool installations must have a security system fitted to protect children aged 5 and under.

Unattended water is dangerous and children can drown in seconds, making non-barrier safety solutions impractical. The CSC (Commision de Sécurité des Consommateurs) recommends the barrier method and that all other means of security, such as alarms, should be supplementary to a fence.

There is no substitute for parental vigilance but you can’t watch your children all the time.

Credits: S.P. Solutions SARL - Enclôture - http://www.encloture.com

The Enclôture® complete pool fencing system offers a unique gate and fence combination that meets all the AFNOR standards set out in NF P90 – 306. It has been rigorously tested by the Laboratoire National d'Essais (LNE) and the reports are available on request. Enclôture® pool fencing system offers one of the best solutions for pool safety for many reasons, including:

It is a fence: the Commission de Sécurité des Consommateurs (CSC) have stated that a fence or barrier is recommended as the most effective security for a pool.

It is flexible: the flexibility of the Enclôture® fencing makes it difficult for a child to climb and easier to shut off all points of access. It is soft, so less likely to hurt a child if they run into it by accident.

It has a unique gate: our gate, which is patented in the USA, has a self-closing and self-latching system manufactured by the renowned Australian company Magnalatch. This provides peace of mind that the gate has not been left open by mistake.

It is highly transparent: a combination of the tension of the Enclôture® fencing and the large mesh holes make for excellent visibility, good aesthetics and safety.

It is easy to install and easily removable.

It is guaranteed for five years.

Enclôture® pool fencing system does not replace the vigilance of parents or responsible adults who remain the essential factor in protecting young children.

INTOXICATION / POISONING

Description
Keep all medicines out of sight and reach of children - preferably in a locked cupboard,
Keep dangerous substances out of reach of children - these include household chemicals, such as cleaners, detergents and bleach, as well as DIY materials such as paints, thinners, strippers, varnishes, glues and other adhesives,
Remember that perfumes, essential oils and alcohol can also be poisonous to children and keep them out of reach,
Keep all dangerous substances in original containers.

Credits: Child Accident Prevention Trust - http://www.capt.org.uk

ETOUFFEMENTS / SUFFOCATION

Description
Do not use pillows, duvets and bean bags for babies under a year old,
Never use strings, ribbons and ties on very young children's clothes, strings on toys over cots or playpens should be shorter than 20 cm,
Never string toys across a cot or pram,
Stay with young children when they are eating or drinking and get them to sit still,
Supervise small children if they are eating small pieces of fruit or vegetables,
Do not give peanuts to children under six,
Keep small objects like coins and parts of toys away from young children,
Always keep plastic bags and plastic film away from children,
Follow the age recommendations on toys - they are there for a reason,
Don't take your baby to sleep with you in your bed or on the sofa as you may accidentally suffocate him or her while you sleep,

Credits: Child Accident Prevention Trust - http://www.capt.org.uk

BRULURES / BURNS AND SCALDS

Description
Fit smoke alarms and check regularly that they are working,
Close doors at night to stop fire spreading,
If possible install a fire extinguisher and fire blanket,
Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of small children,
Use fireguards on all heaters and fires and do not use them to dry clothes,
Keep children away from ovens, hobs and hotplates,
Turn pan handles towards the back of the stove and use back rings for cooking when possible,
Never fill a chip pan more than one third full and never leave a hot chip pan unattended,
Use short or curly flexes with kettles and keep them out of the reach of children,
Do not hold a child when you have a hot drink and keep mugs and cups of hot drinks well out of the reach of young children,
Turn irons off immediately after use and never leave the flex dangling,
Fit a thermostatic mixing valve to your hot bath tap,

Credits: Child Accident Prevention Trust - http://www.capt.org.uk

EN VOITURE / ROAD SAFETY

Description
BABIES
New babies must be carried in a rear-facing baby seat or infant carrier. These may be group 0 or 0+. A rear facing baby seat must never be used in the front seat of a car if the car has a front passenger airbag fitted.

TODDLERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
When babies are able to sit up on their own for prolonged periods they can safely be transferred to a forward facing car seat. These are called group I seats and can be used until your child is about three to four years old. You should only move your child from a child car seat when their eye line is above the child seat back. At this stage you should transfer to a booster seat (group II).

OLDER CHILDREN
When your child's eye level gets above the back of the booster seat, it is time to move to a booster cushion (group III). Children need to use a booster cushion until they are tall enough for the seat belt to fit in the correct position without it.

Credits: Child Accident Prevention Trust - http://www.capt.org.uk