Learn to be a lifesaver! – Nationwide child safety campaign launches

New research published today reveals that two out of five parents has had to give emergency first aid to a youngster in their care – but worryingly, over 40% of parents have never done any first aid training.

The research also revealed that head injuries, burns and choking are amongst the most common accidents in the home.  Knowledge about what do to is essential and in some instances, can be the difference between life and death. 

The research was carried out by Tesco Baby & Toddler Club to mark the launch of its annual BabySafe seminar programme.  At this series of free, unique first aid seminars, experts from the British Red Cross teach invaluable lifesaving skills to help keep babies and toddlers safe.

And with old wives’ tales being a popular course of action for some parents when it comes to treating children in an emergency, BabySafe provides an easy way for anyone to learn or brush up on the best way to act in an emergency first aid situation. 

Jenna Bannerman, Tesco Baby & Toddler Club manager, said: “No parent likes to think of anything bad happening to their child but unfortunately accidents around the home are common and it’s important to know how to react if your baby is hurt or suddenly becomes sick.  

“Basic first aid is something that everyone should know about and making sure your knowledge in this area is up to date is vital. 

“Our free BabySafe courses up and down the country make it easy for anyone to learn or refresh emergency first aid skills.  After just a few hours of your time, you’ll be much more confident when it comes to dealing with a medical emergency – and you could even end up saving someone’s life.”  

Joe Mulligan, first aid expert at the British Red Cross, added: “BabySafe offers parents, grandparents and carers the chance to learn basic first aid skills that could potentially save a child’s life in an emergency by giving them the confidence to know what to do.  We are delighted to work with Tesco to make first aid training available to carers throughout the UK.”  

 Mum Jane Harvey, 35, from Lancashire, knows only too well how valuable attending a first aid course can be.  Her daughter Grace had a heart-stopping scare as a baby when she started choking on a tiny metal key ring she’d managed to put in her mouth but luckily Jane had recently attended a baby first aid course and knew exactly what to do. 

“I’m so grateful I took that course and I’d urge all parents to take any opportunity to learn first aid.  We all think that an emergency like that will never happen to us, but I know it could – so make sure you’re prepared,” says Jane. 

The Tesco Baby & Toddler Club BabySafe seminars take place throughout the UK between October 2010 and February 2011, offering parents, grandparents and other carers an opportunity to learn emergency first-aid skills for free. Topics covered include choking, resuscitation and meningitis. Since the national launch in 2007, over 5,000 parents have been trained at BabySafe seminars across the UK and this year’s campaign aims to train at least another 3,500.  The two-hour course includes a practical session where seminar attendees get the chance to practice techniques on baby mannequins.   

If you’d like to attend a course here are the dates coming to an area near you soon!

 London (New Malden)                27/10/10

London (Borehamwood)             28/10/10

Birmingham                                      03/11/10

Orpington                                          16/11/10

Liverpool                                              24/11/10

York                                                       27/01/11

Peterborough                                      01/02/11

Inverness                                             09/02/11

Blackpool                                              16/02/11

Poole                                                      23/02/11