NAPIT Supports Child Safety Week 2026

Like & share this news article:
News

  Posted by: electime      1st June 2026

The theme for this year’s Child Safety Week, which runs from 1st June to 7th June, is ‘making prevention possible’ and identifying risks in the home is key to preventing serious accidents.

Many parents and guardians might not be aware of the electrical and fire hazards in their homes that could put their family in danger. Overcharging e-bikes and e-scooters, overloading extension cables, socket-outlets & plugs, and using cheap ‘unofficial’ electrical products all put your home at risk and could have dangerous consequences.

The Child Accident Prevention Trust has shared fire safety advice for Child Safety Week:

Preventing fires

  • Take care not to plug lots of chargers and equipment into an extension lead from one electrical socket – the socket could be dangerously overloaded.
  • Store things like hair straighteners safely – avoid leaving them switched on or where a child might be able to switch them on or touch or use them.
  • Avoid charging e-bike or e-scooter batteries when you’re out or overnight. Follow the instructions and don’t overcharge.
  • Cooking is the main cause of fires in the home – stay in the kitchen if children are cooking.
  • Avoid running your washing machine or dishwasher at night in case it has an electrical fault that starts a fire while your family is asleep.

Check your smoke alarms

  • You need working smoke alarms upstairs and downstairs.
  • Test your alarms every month.
  • If you live in rented housing, your landlord is responsible for providing smoke alarms.

Plan your escape

  • Work out your escape route in case of a fire and practice it with your family.
  • Keep the stairs and escape route clear of clutter at night.
  • Keep keys to any doors on your escape route in one place so you know where they are in an emergency.

Teach children what to do if they see a fire

  • Tell someone straight away – a grown-up if possible.
  • Don’t try to put the fire out yourself.
  • Get outside as quickly as possible. Don’t try to hide from the fire.
  • Never go back inside for anything.

Sarah Lowe, Finance and Operations Director at NAPIT, said: “This Child Safety Week, check your home for any electrical hazards and put any preventative measures in place using the tips from the Child Accident Prevention Trust. If you are concerned about the electrical safety in y