Accidents in childhood can have lifelong consequences. Years of treatment can result from injuries suffered through burns, scalds, falls and other accidents. Some can be fatal.

Child Safety Week, which runs until Sunday, helps to raise awareness of accidents that seriously injure or kill children and offers guidance on how to prevent them.

Run by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), its emphasis is on helping families make informed decisions about safety rather than wrapping children up in cotton wool.

Across the country events are taking place at locations including children’s centres, nurseries, shopping centres, schools and parks.

The theme for this year’s campaign is Tea Time Terrors. “It is the time of day when many demands are placed on parents and carers at one time,” says CAPT campaigns manager Pamela Prentice. “It is very hectic at home, with children coming in from school, needing attention.”

At this time of day children are at greater risk of road accidents and injuries like burns from hot drinks and scalds from hot baths. “We know there are peaks when many demands are put on parents and carers at one time," says Pamela. “The way to tackle it is to make small changes such as making sure you put cups of tea or coffee out of reach, and heating pans on the back rings of the cooker. “

She adds: “Simple steps such as putting hair straighteners away after use are important. People often hook them over door handles to cool, within reach of toddlers and small children.

“Running cold water into the bath before topping it up with hot avoids the risk of a child injuring themselves if they fall or climb in."

“It is about getting into the habit of doing certain things so it becomes automatic. Parents and carers do not have eyes in the back of their heads, but they can make sure that their children are not exposed to risks. ”

Pamela draws attention to relatively new hazards in the home such as button batteries in remote controls, toys and musical birthday cards. “If swallowed they can get stuck in the throat and cause a reaction resulting in horrendous burns.”

Blind cords are also a danger, and could cause strangulation. “I’ve had parents saying ‘Why didn’t I know about this risk?” says Pamela.

Incidents happen to children from all backgrounds, but house fires, burns, scalds and serious falls are more prevalent in lower socio-economic groups, where accommodation can be cramped, with many people sharing.

Staff in children centres in the Farcliffe and Midland Road area of Bradford have organised a fun afternoon for child safety week. At the event in Lister Park there will be activities for children and information and advice for parents and carers. There will be a fire engine and ambulance present for the children to view. Events will also be held in Bradford’s Kirkgate Centre and in the Airedale Shopping Centre in Keighley.

Davina Hartley, child accident prevention coordinator with the multi-agency Bradford Safeguarding Children Board, says the week is about reminding people of key safety messages.

“Our role is to deliver safety messages all year round. We will be attending events with a number of agencies giving out information on accident prevention and advice on how to treat any injuries that may occur. It is an opportunity to engage with parents and carers."

The preventative work includes incidents such as drowning and poisoning. “We do a lot of work with children’s centres, linking in with hospitals,” says Davina.

Accidents in childhood can have lifelong consequences and knowing how to properly treat injuries plays a crucial role. “Knowing what to do can prevent years of painful surgery and skin grafts,” she adds.

Councillor Ralph Berry, Bradford Council's executive member for health and social care, said: “Child Safety Week is an excellent initiative and helps us focus attention in a fun way on what is a very serious topic. I would urge everyone who is responsible for young children to come along to one of the events.”

Michael Jameson, strategic director of children’s services, said: “Everyone has a responsibility for child safety. It’s great to see the range of events that the Council and its partners have put on and which will give some practical advice on how we make life safer for all our children.”

An event is taking place today in the Kirkgate Centre, Bradford, from 10am to 2pm and in Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley, on Thursday June 4, from 10am to 2pm.

Bradford West 1 Childrens’ Centres’ event in Lister Park, is on Wednesday 3rd June from 1:30 until 4:30