Safe at Home

09/12/2025

🏠 Planning on Staying Away from Home This Festive Season?

If you’re staying with family or friends over the holidays with a baby under 12m, or even staying in holiday accommodation, please take a moment to pre-plan where your baby will sleep.

💛 Safer sleep guidance should be followed every time — for all daytime naps and night-time sleep for babies under 12 months.
This helps protect your little one from the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

⚠️ Very Important:
Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby.
This is one of the highest-risk situations for SIDS and accidental suffocation — increasing the risk by around 50 times.

🚫 Never add an extra mattress, padding, quilts, or folded blankets to the base of a travel or portable cot.
Travel cots are designed to be used with their own thin, firm base only. Adding extra padding increases the risk of overheating, suffocation and entrapment.

Before you travel, check:
✔️ Is there a compliant and safe cot with a flat, firm sleep surface?
✔️ Is it free from pillows, soft toys & loose bedding & thick blankets?
✔️ Is the room smoke-free?
✔️ Is the temperature around 16 - 20 degrees?
✔️ If using a travel cot, is it properly assembled and with the original firm, flat mattress only?

🎄 A little planning goes a long way to keeping babies safe during festive visits.

👉 Follow The Lullaby Trust for research tested safer sleep tips and advice.
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/safer-sleep-information/co-sleeping/

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/resource/safer-sleep-for-babies-a-guide-for-parents/

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Staying-away-from-home-poster-A4.pdf

Happy holidays, stay safe, and enjoy the celebrations 💫

08/12/2025

🎁 Buying or gifting TOYS this festive season?
A quick check can make all the difference in keeping little ones safe. Not everything sold – or gifted – is safe or recommended for young children.

🧸 5 Top Toy Safety Tips for Parents & Caregivers:

1️⃣ Check the age label – Make sure the toy is suitable for your child’s age and stage of development - only give your child age apppropriate toys.
2️⃣ Look for the CE/UKCA mark – This shows the toy meets safety standards and follow the manufacturer instructions.
3️⃣ Keep older siblings’ toys separate – Small parts can pose a serious choking risk to babies and toddlers.
4️⃣ Inspect gifted toys – Even well-meaning presents might not be appropriate or safe for your child.
5️⃣ Review the toy box – Things get mixed up! Remove broken, worn, or unsafe items that may have slipped in ~ always good to check the battery compartments are safe and secure.

🔍 For trusted advice on toy safety, visit Child Accident Prevention Trust.

🎄 Be happy and stay safe this festive season!

Toy safety While toys sold by well-known stores are generally safe, toys, novelty items and dressing-up clothes you can buy from online marketplaces, markets or small discount stores may not be. Please take care and don’t assume that, just because you can buy something, it must be safe. In this gu...

08/12/2025

🚗❄️ Car owners — before you top up your antifreeze or screen wash this winter, ask yourself: “Where am I storing it?”
These products are must-haves for cold weather… but they’re also highly poisonous to children. Even a small amount can be life-threatening, and accidents can happen in seconds — even with an adult nearby.

Young children are naturally curious, and colourful liquids can look tempting. So please make sure all car fluids are stored out of sight and out of reach, ideally in a locked cupboard or high shelf. Ensure that lid is replaced and product is safely stored away IMMEDIATELY after use.

👉 When buying, look for products containing a bittering agent (like Bitrex) — it helps stop children swallowing harmful substances.

For more advice on preventing accidental poisoning, download CAPT’s free fact sheet:
https://capt.org.uk/resources/prevent-poisoning-fact-sheet/

If you’re a car owner, antifreeze and screenwash are winter essentials. But, both are highly poisonous to children.

And accidental poisoning can happen in an instant, even if you’re there but have been distracted momentarily.

So keep them well out of children’s reach. And, to put children off swallowing things they shouldn’t, look out for products that contain a bittering agent, such as Bitrex

Download our free fact sheet to discover more ways to prevent accidental poisoning: https://capt.org.uk/resources/prevent-poisoning-fact-sheet/

06/12/2025

Did you know young children don’t always realise when something is burning them?
Their skin is far more sensitive than ours, which means hot hair straighteners and curlers can cause serious injuries in seconds.

Burns from these tools can scar for life, even from brief contact.

Simple steps to keep little ones safe:
• Best practice: Put hot styling tools straight into a heatproof pouch after use, then store them safely out of reach.
• Choose a designated safe spot for hair tools and use it every time.
• Make sure dangling cords are tucked away so children can’t pull tools down.
• Remember: styling tools stay dangerously hot long after unplugging — treat them as hot until fully cooled.

For more ways to reduce burn risks, read our free quick guide:
https://capt.org.uk/resources/safe-from-burns-fact-sheet/

It's not automatic for little children to pull away from something that's burning them. It's something they learn.

That's why burns from hair styling tools can be so bad if your child grabs, sits or stands on them.

So, find a spot safely out of reach of curious little fingers and get in the habit of leaving them there each time.

Remember, they can still burn even after they’re unplugged!

Read our free quick guide for more ways to prevent burn injuries: https://capt.org.uk/resources/safe-from-burns-fact-sheet/

05/12/2025

🤒 Worried about your baby’s health?
It can be scary when little ones seem unwell, especially during winter. If you’re unsure what to do or whether to seek medical help, there’s a trusted tool that can guide you.

📱 Try the FREE Baby Check App by The Lullaby Trust
It helps you assess your baby’s symptoms with simple steps and gives clear advice on when to seek help.

👉 Download here:
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/infection-and-illness/baby-check-app/

💛 Remember:
• Trust your instincts — you know your baby best
• If your baby seems seriously unwell, call 999 or go to A&E
• For non-urgent advice, use NHS 111, speak to your GP, or ask your health visitor

Follow us at Safe at Home for more tips to help keep your baby safe and well this winter.



https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/infection-and-illness/baby-check-app/

If you're worried your baby is unwell, our free Baby Check app helps you decide whether they need to see a health professional or not...

05/12/2025

🚨 L&D Hospital is extremely busy right now ...
There’s a big rise in winter bugs and respiratory illnesses, so waiting times may be much longer than usual.

✔️ Only use A&E for real emergencies
For minor illnesses or injuries, please try:
• Your GP
• Your local pharmacist
• NHS 111 online or the NHS App

🏥 If you’re visiting the wards:
• Call ahead to check visiting is allowed
• Masks may be required – these are available on the ward

👉 Help protect your family this winter
Avoid unnecessary hospital visits by reducing accident risks at home.
Follow Safe at Home for simple safety tips that help keep little ones out of harm’s way - accidents don't have to happen, we can help you with all your child safety queries.

&E

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital is currently experiencing exceptionally high demand, following a high increase in admissions due to respiratory illnesses, including flu.

During this period, ward visiting may be restricted in some areas. We ask that you contact the ward before attending, and that all visitors wear masks, which are available on the ward.

We are doing all we can to minimise any impact of these pressures on planned care. Patients with appointments at the hospital should continue to attend, unless told otherwise.

Please only attend the Emergency Department if you require urgent and emergency care. Staff continue to work extremely hard to ensure all patients safely receive the care they need, but please be aware there may be extended waiting times.

If you have a minor illness/injury, please consider whether you can access the care you need via your GP, a pharmacist, by using NHS 111 online or via the NHS App.

05/12/2025

⚠️ Product Recall Alert ⚠️
OXO Good Grips Pasta Scoop Strainer (2511-0292)
Presents a serious *health risk* as testing has identified an excess of a primary aromatic amine (PAA). PAAs are considered carcinogenic.⚠️

🔺Stop using immediately and return to retailer for refund or contact the Customer Service Team at oxo.emea@helenoftroy.com

https://www.gov.uk/.../product-recall-oxo-good-grips...

⚠️ OXO Good Grips Pasta Scoop Strainer (2511-0292) presenting presents a serious health risk as testing has identified an excess of a primary aromatic amine (PAA). PAAs are considered carcinogenic.⚠️

https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-recall-oxo-good-grips-pasta-scoop-strainer-2511-0292

05/12/2025

Really helpful information from The Breastfeeding Network (UK) as we are in the throws of winter bugs. Have a look at what is safe when breastfeeding or giving your baby expressed milk 🤱

*Breastmilk protects your baby, supports their immune system and helps to lower the risk of

❄️ The icy weather is here!

If you’re dealing with sniffles or sore throats, feeling unsure about flu vaccinations, or just want reliable information about medication during the colder months, today we're sharing some of our most helpful factsheets for the winter.

❄️Antibiotics
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/antibiotics/

❄️Cough and cold remedies
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/cold-remedies/

❄️COVID-19
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/coronavirus/

❄️Decongestants
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/decongestants/

❄️Influenza
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/influenza/

❄️Sore throats
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/sore-throats/

❄️Vaccinations
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/vaccinations/

❄️Vitamin D
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/vitamind/

If you have any questions, our team of pharmacist volunteers are available to answer your questions via direct message or email - druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk.

Please provide as much information as possible. We aim to answer your enquiries within 24 hours.

❄️Share to help more breastfeeding mums find our information ❄️

[ID: Factsheets for the Colder Weather. www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets. Background image - Thermometer reading 0 degrees in icy grass.]

04/12/2025

🧼⚠️ Parents & caregivers — please take a moment to think about laundry and dishwasher pods.
These bright, squidgy capsules may look harmless, but if a child bites into one or it bursts in their hands, it can cause serious harm. Even residue on their fingers can lead to painful eye injuries if they rub their eyes.

Our trusted colleagues at the Child Accident Prevention Trust have excellent guidance on how to store and use these products safely:
👉 https://capt.org.uk/washing-pods-and-capsules/

👶 Live in Luton with a child aged 0- 5?
You may be eligible for a FREE Home Safety Check from Safe at Home. During your visit, we can help you make your home safer — and some families may also receive free cupboard locks to keep cleaning products securely out of reach.

📅 We’re now taking bookings for ***January 2026*** — slots fill quickly, so apply today!
👉 https://www.safeathomecip.org.uk/apply-online/

Let’s keep curious little hands safe. 💛



Child Accident Prevention Trust
Flying Start Luton
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

*Image credit: Child Accident Prevention Trust

03/12/2025

🎄✨ December should be full of magic — not emergencies. Think safety first!

Keeping families safe is our number one priority, so we’re sharing this important message from Electrical Safety First and the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT).

Many festive electrical fires can be prevented. Overloaded extension leads, damaged Christmas lights, cheap chargers and poor-quality electricals all increase the risk — especially in busy family homes.

👉 Watch this short animation to spot the most common hazards and learn how to keep your little ones safe.

👉 Download the free home safety checklist to make sure your home is protected this festive season:
https://ow.ly/pXe850XALrz

Let’s keep the celebrations joyful and our families safe.

02/12/2025

⚠️ Parents, carers, family and friends — please check your home for button batteries. Children's lives could be in danger!

Button batteries may be tiny, but the harm they can cause is huge and immediate. With Christmas gifting underway, it’s vital to check whether toys, gadgets or stocking fillers contain these dangerous batteries — especially cheap, unbranded items that may not have secure battery compartments.

We’re working with the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) to raise awareness of the serious risks. These batteries are found in so many everyday items: toys, remotes, tealights, musical cards, fidget gadgets and more.

If swallowed, a button battery can burn internally in just a couple of hours — and sadly, can be fatal.

👀 Take these important steps today:
✔️ Look around your home for products containing button batteries — including toys, gadgets, remotes and any loose spares.
✔️ Store spare and used batteries safely out of reach of children.
✔️ Dispose of “flat” or used batteries immediately — even flat ones can still cause serious internal burns - dispose safely in designated battery bins located in supermarkets or refuse centres.
✔️ Check that battery compartments are secure and batteries are NOT accessible to children.

👉 More safety advice from CAPT: https://ow.ly/aZiv50XzVwB

Please share this message to help keep every child safe. 💛

Button batteries may be tiny - but the risks are huge.

We're working with the Child Accident Prevention Trust to remind parents and carers that these batteries are found in many toys, gadgets and remotes. If a child swallows one, it can be fatal.

✔️ Look around your home for button batteries - found in toys, remotes, gadgets and any spares
✔️ Store spare and used batteries safely and out of reach of children
✔️ Dispose of used or “flat” batteries straight away. Even “flat” ones can still cause serious harm.
✔️ Check that battery compartments are secure and that no batteries have fallen out.

Find more advice from CAPT: https://ow.ly/aZiv50XzVwB

28/11/2025

🎁 Buying or gifting presents for little ones this Christmas?
Be One Step Ahead ~ December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month — the perfect moment to shine a light on an often-hidden danger in many homes:
Water Beads ~ Sensory Beads!🟠🟣🔵🟢
These tiny, colourful beads can look like sweets or toys to babies and toddlers… but they can cause choking, internal blockages, serious injury and even emergency surgery if swallowed. They also bounce and roll easily, making them incredibly hard to spot.

👶 If you have children under 5 in your home — or you’re buying gifts for someone who does — please avoid water beads completely.

👉 Learn why they’re risky and how to protect young children here:
https://capt.org.uk/keep-water-beads-away-from-young-children/

💛 Follow us as we share seasonal safety tips, real stories, recalls and guidance to help keep every child safe at home this festive season.




Child Accident Prevention Trust
Flying Start Luton
Luton Family Hubs