Doctors warning Lack of awareness of grape choking hazard puts children at risk – https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/dec/20/lack-of-awareness-of-grape-choking-hazard-putting-children-at-risk-say-doctors?utm_source=Child+Accident+Prevention+Trust&utm_campaign=ae6db702d8-grapes-guardian&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_07d0f347c0-ae6db702d8-151808877&mc_cid=ae6db702d8&mc_eid=a9a99a3785
Doctors have issued a stark warning that young children can choke to death on whole grapes, describing three cases of children who needed emergency treatment:
* A five-year-old boy choked while eating grapes at an after-school club. Despite first aid, the grape could not be dislodged and the child had a heart attack and died.
* A 17-month-old boy choked while eating grapes with his family at home. Paramedics were called and the grape was eventually removed but the little boy still died.
* A two-year-old choked while snacking on grapes in the park. He suffered two seizures and spent five days in intensive care before thankfully making a full recovery.
The doctors warn that food is responsible for over half of all fatal choking accidents, with grapes the third most common cause of death in food-related incidents.
Why are grapes so dangerous?
The size and shape of grapes means they can completely plug a child’s airway. And the tight seal produced by the grape’s smooth surface makes them difficult to dislodge with standard first aid techniques.
Young children are particularly vulnerable to choking on grapes because:
* They don’t have a full set of teeth and are still learning to chew properly.
* Their swallow reflex is still developing.
* Their airway is very small.
It’s why we advise that grapes should be chopped in half lengthways and ideally in quarters.
As a shared learning point, Doctors are asking that this information is shared widely across your networks.
Children – if you are worried about cyber bullying or anything else on the internet please tell a grown up. You can also report internet abuse on this website www.ceop.police.uk
Click on the eye icon in the red box at the top of the first page. It says CLICK CEOP. Then click on the box with your age on it and follow the instructions.
ONLINE SAFETY: A SHORT GUIDE FOR PARENTS
The internet can play an important part in many aspects of school life, including teaching, learning and improving communication. However, if not used properly, it can be dangerous or harmful. This simple guide includes hints and tips for both parents and pupils.
Hints & Tips for Parents
- Technology is constantly changing and young people are continually learning – keep up to date on latest developments so you know about the risks.
- Online safety applies to all types of devices – PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, e-readers and online gaming
- As technology becomes more portable, set guidelines for where your child could/should use their device
- Treat online safety in the same way as you would offline safety such as stranger danger, crossing the road etc.
- Set up internet security so children can’t access websites with adult and inappropriate content
- Don’t write anything online that you wouldn’t say in person. Comments made on social media and/or public web pages/forums could reflect badly on your child
- Check out our IT policies, particularly the online safety policy, and adhere to them
- Cyber bullying should be treated in the same way as other forms of bullying; contact your child’s school to agree a plan for dealing with it
- Be aware that “sexting” increasingly involves younger children, some as young as 10
- Try to establish a system which allows your child to talk to you about anything they feel uncomfortable about online
Things to Discuss with Children
- Where it is acceptable to use your portable device? Bedroom? School?
- Who should you talk to if you feel uncomfortable about something you have seen online? e.g. parent, teacher or other responsible adult
- Don’t spend too long online; make sure you get some physical exercise every day
- Keep passwords safe – don’t write them down and change them regularly
- What personal information is it appropriate to post online?
- How do you report cyber bullying? Take a screen grab of any posts so these can be seen at a later date if needed.
- How do you know the people you are talking to online, are who you think they are?
- What is the difference between a ‘real life’ friend and an ‘online friend’.
- Is it ever sensible to meet up with an online friend?
Other Sources of Information:
UK Safer Internet Centre www.safterinternet.org.uk
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre www.ceop.police.uk
Think U Know www.thinkuknow.co.uk
NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk
Attachments
Safety Warning for all Schools: ROBLOX
Children have enjoyed playing ROBLOX since 2011 where they can create characters and play in open online worlds which are also created by its users. The app specifies that a child-friendly chat system limits the amount of engagement younger players have with strangers. However, as with all social networks, it does not eliminate engagement with strangers and children often receive friend requests from people they do not know.
Kent police raised concerns about ROBLOX after speaking with children in years 2 and 3 and finding that most of them had not told their parents about friends they have on ROBLOX. They also told Kent police that they had received many in game messages and had spoken to strangers via their headset and they had not told their parents. Many children also said their accounts were ‘maxed-out’, meaning they have 200 online friends.
What you need to do
| When | What | Who |
| ASAP | MESSAGE TO PARENTSWe advise every parent to:
· Check their child’s ROBLOX account, as well as any other online games that they play. · Check that their online friends are known. · Speak with your child about staying safe online and monitor their usage. · Parents, raise any concerns with your school.
MESSAGE TO SCHOOLS Please raise any concerns with your Safer Schools Officer.
|
Cascade to all officers working with young people. |
More information
For more information and advice for parents and carers go to – https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers
Teachers and practitioners can find help and advice here – https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/teachers-and-school-staff
Young people can find advice here – https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/young-people
Every Thursday we hold Reading session for our parents from 8:35am. Please come along and read with your children when you can.
If you believe that a child or young person is at IMMEDIATE risk, you should treat this as an emergency and call the School, or call 999 to report your concerns to the Police.
Our safeguarding personnel (as of September 2018) are as follows:
DSL Designated Safeguarding Lead: Tracey Hart
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead : Susannah Walsh
Child Looked After Coordinator: Sarah Kinnaird
Person responsible for children with medical conditions: Tracey Hart
Most children enjoy generally happy childhood experiences within their own family. Unfortunately for some this is not the case. During difficult family times, everyone who knows the child must do the best they can to protect them from future harm.
You may be concerned about a child or young person. You may or may not know them, or even their name. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Abuse can take many different forms, such as neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse and even emotional abuse.
Take Responsibility
If you think a child may be suffering or are concerned that a child has suffered harm, neglect or abuse in the past, please use the contact details below.
LBBD Assessment team
Ground Floor, Roycraft House, 15 Linton Road, Barking, IG11 8HE020 8227 3811
In an emergency outside normal office hours, please contact the Police (999).