Parkstone Pre-School

Since the start of the year, many toys and craft items have been recalled as they may contain trace levels of asbestos. Recalls so far have included sand-filled stretchy toys, craft boxes and sand art kits. And there may be more to come.

Check the list of recalled items here: https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls?keywords=asbestos&product_alert_type%5B%5D=product-recall&product_recall_alert_date%5Bfrom%5D=01/01/2026

Did you know a bright coat could make a difference to your child’s safety?

Autumn may feel like ages away but before we know it the clocks will change and our children will be heading to and from school in the dark. Wearing a brighter coloured coat can help them be seen more easily by drivers as the nights draw in.

If your child or their school insists on a darker colour you can add reflective strips to increase visibility.

It’s scary to think about but if a fire breaks out children often hide from it, under the bed or in a wardrobe, because they’re scared. This means it will take longer to find and rescue them.

With the long summer holidays, why not spend a few minutes making and practising a family escape plan together? Turn it into a fun activity so everyone knows exactly what to do if the worst happens.

Get more simple fire safety tips for families: https://capt.org.uk/resources/fire-safe-families-fact-sheet/

Whether you buy them online as a cheap way to keep the children entertained, or find them at a funfair or family event, light-up toys are great fun.

But many of these flashing toys contain easy-access button batteries which can kill if swallowed.

So, if you buy any button battery powered items, remember to check the battery compartment is secured with a screw or similar fastener to prevent children gaining access.

If it isn’t secure, please keep it out of reach of young children and recycle any loose button batteries as soon as you can.

Learn more about dangerous products to avoid this summer: https://capt.org.uk/10-dangerous-products-avoid-this-summer

Neck floats are inflatables that sit around a baby’s neck, allowing them to float freely in the water. But babies can drown or suffocate. Which is why we recommend avoiding them.

If the float pushes up against something, this can put pressure on the baby’s airways. There’s also a risk that, if the float flips over, the baby’s face can be submerged under the water.

Neck floats can also give you a false sense of security. It’s scary to think about but drowning happens quickly and quietly, often with no noise to alert you it’s happening.

That’s why we advise you keep your baby in arms’ reach in the water at all times so that you can act fast to keep them safe.

Learn more about dangerous products to avoid this summer: https://capt.org.uk/10-dangerous-products-avoid-this-summer

While Helium isn’t toxic, inhaling it can be deadly. Especially for children.

Breathing it in displaces oxygen in the lungs. Loss of consciousness can happen in seconds. Brain damage and death within minutes.

And there won’t be any warning, choking or struggle to alert you.

That probably sounds scary but there are things you can do to prevent it:
👉Don’t inhale helium. It’s not worth the high-pitched voice effect.
👉Avoid letting children cover their face or head with a helium balloon. Numbers with holes in can be especially tempting.
👉Keep helium balloons away from small children when you’re not there to watch them
👉Dispose of helium balloons safely once the celebration is over.

Last year it was Labubus, this year it’s squishies and soon it’ll be something else. But, when a toy goes viral, the increase in demand means you can find fakes for sale everywhere. And some could be really dangerous for your child.

They may have cheap parts that break easily, easy-access button batteries, high-strength magnets or harmful levels of chemicals. Worryingly, the danger isn’t always obvious, so it’s best to buy from trusted retailers if you can.

More dangerous products to avoid this summer: https://capt.org.uk/10-dangerous-products-avoid-this-summer

Sadly, we often hear stories of children who received horrific burns from hot drinks whilst out and about. If you’re visiting somewhere that serves hot drinks please remember:

☕A hot drink takes 15 minutes to cool down to a temperature that will not scald a young child
☕Be mindful of where you place hot drinks. Children can often reach further than we think.
☕Don’t let children run around anywhere that’s serving hot drinks
☕Avoid passing hot drinks over children or drinking your hot drink when your child is on your lap.

Download our free guide to learn more about preventing and treating burn injuries: https://capt.org.uk/resources/safe-from-burns-fact-sheet/