Parents and carers are being invited to a series of roadshows designed to help them choose child friendly products and keep their kids safe from household chemicals.
The events have been organised by Renfrewshire Council’s Trading Standards & Licensing Team as part of Child Safety Week. This year Child Safety Week runs from Monday 1st June until Sunday 7th June.
The first roadshow is being held from 10am till 3pm on Tuesday 2 June at The Atrium in Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley. The second is being held from 10am till 3pm on Thursday 4th June at the new Johnstone Town Hall, Ludovic Square, Johnstone.
Examples of children’s products which are safe and examples which are dangerous will be on display. Adults will also be able to take the Bitrex Taste Test. Bitrex is a foul tasting flavouring which is put into household cleaning products to put children off drinking them. Sample sticks will be available for those brave enough to try them.
Councillor Eddie Devine, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Environment Policy Board, said, “Our Trading Standards & Licensing Team makes sure the non-food products people buy meet the relevant safety standards.
“The team regularly scrutinizes products like cots, toys, dummies and nightwear. Our events put children’s products under the safety spotlight. They also give parents and carers the opportunity to ask the experts for advice on buying the right products and storing them and using them safely.”
A new survey found that 75% of parents, with children under five, wrongly believe child safety caps will stop children getting into medicine bottles and cleaning products.
The survey also found that less than 25% of parents keep medicines and cleaning products safely locked away.
Councillor Devine said, “Child Safety Caps certainly slow children down but some three and four year olds can open them in seconds. Young children especially are naturally inquisitive and automatically put things in their mouths. They find brightly coloured detergent and dishwasher tablets particularly attractive.
“This is why it is vital for parents and carers to make sure that medicines and products like bleach, detergents and dishwasher tablets are stored safely out of a child’s reach.
“Our aim with these events is to help parents and carers make their homes as safe as possible for the children who live in them and I’d encourage everyone who can to come along.”
Child Safety Week is an annual event organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust’s (CAPT).