Knowledge:
- Although data relating to house fires and burns and scalds are available, the data is not sufficiently specific to assess the cause of some accidents.
- Data is not available for accidental injuries presented at GP surgeries or walk in centres.
- Data is not available for serious injuries, including drowning, poisoning, further work is required to develop an appropriate tool to collect these data
- It is difficult to acertain trends in some of the data due to small numbers (e.g. deaths)
- Investigate more thoroughly people’s perceptions about childhood accidents and what parents feel would support them
Services:
Road accidents – need for more:
- 20 mph speed limits in areas of higher pedestrian activity
- Local child pedestrian training schemes and safe travel plans
- Systematic road safety intervention in inner city areas
- Child restraint loans scheme
- Increase the number of children who undertake cycling training
- Double yellow lines for cycle lanes
- Links between road safety teams and public health
Play and recreation – need to:
- Provision of advice around falls prevention (e.g. health visitors, school nurses, voluntary sector staff)
- Develop local guidelines for safety in children’s sports based on work done by sports associations (e.g. the Football Association)
- Strengthen risk and safety education in schools
- Increase from 2 to 4 years the age for which home safety equipment is provided
Dwelling fires – need for:
- Home risk assessment, safety checks and escape plans
- Target deprived groups, particularly with older children in privately rented and temporary accommodation; and households in which people smoke. Ascertain whether data is available from the fire service regarding the numbers of smoke alarms fitted as part of their home risk assessment.