Charity boosts efforts to keep children safe from preventable accidents

Nationwide efforts to keep children safe from preventable accidents have been boosted by a Birmingham based child safety charity.

The Conies charity focuses on teaching children and young people to stay safe in everyday situations.

The charity has added its support for Child Safety Week (1-7 June) with a simple printed poster – entitled Stay Safe in the Sunshine designed for homes, schools and community groups, serving as a timely resource as families face hotter summers and increased outdoor risks.

Child safety week, organised by the child accident prevention trust (CAPT), urges parents, carers and professionals to make simple changes that reduce everyday risks to children.

The Conies’ contribution - coming shortly after the charity was honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service - follows a series of tragic child drownings in open water during the May heatwave.

The new poster offers simple, child‑friendly tips for staying safe in the sunshine, delivered by the Conies’ engaging cartoon traffic‑cone‑shaped family.

Advice ranges from avoiding hot surfaces to staying hydrated and keeping away from deep or fast‑moving water.

Fay Goodman, (pictured) founder and chair of The Conies, said: “With temperatures rising earlier each year, children are spending more time outdoors - often near rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Despite appearing calm, open water can be extremely dangerous.

Several children and teenagers have already lost their lives this year, highlighting the urgent need for clear, child‑friendly safety education.”

The Stay Safe in the Sunshine poster is available to download and can be printed at home or school and displayed in classrooms, hallways, community centres or on the kitchen wall.