WIREDGOV

Parents are being warned about the dangers of babies suffocating or choking on nappy sacks as the total deaths reaches at least 16 across England and Wales.

An inquest last month concluded that a six-month-old baby in Derby died from accidental suffocation by a nappy sack in December 2014, prompting The Royal Society For The Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to again raise awareness of this serious issue.

The family safety charity is teaming up with Beth Amison, who has been raising awareness of the issue since her seven-month-old son Maison was killed in 2013, and Derbyshire County Council as part of its campaign.

All fatalities so far have involved babies under 12 months old and date back to 2001, according to research by RoSPA’s public health team, which compiles national data on nappy sack deaths.

Nappy sacks are thin, plastic sacks used to dispose of soiled nappies but many parents tend to store these items close to the cot or under the mattress for convenience when changing a baby at night. This can be dangerous if they are left within a baby’s reach while left unattended to sleep or play.

There has also been a tragedy involving a three-month-old baby where a nappy sack lying on a changing table near an open window was blown into a baby’s cot.

Beth Amison, aged 23 from Hednesford, Staffordshire, said: “My world fell apart because of a nappy sack. I urge anyone who is around babies to think about the possible dangers before they become a problem. Don't have the ‘it won't happen to me’ or ‘it didn't do me any harm, so I'm not going to think about it’ attitude, because when tragedy strikes, it leaves you heartbroken forever.”

Sheila Merrill, RoSPA public health advisor, said: “Sadly, RoSPA is made aware of one to two nappy sack-related deaths a year and we know of at least 16 deaths. While most people are well aware plastic bags can be dangerous to children they don’t associate these risks with nappy sacks so are less likely to take the same safety precautions.

“Nappy sacks are made from light flimsy plastic that is easy for babies and young children to grasp and they instinctively discover the world by putting things in their mouth, but once in their mouths they find it difficult to remove and can suffocate or choke. We hope families and carers will take on board advice from our campaign.”

RoSPA’s campaign to educate parents on how to prevent unnecessary tragedies has been supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The UK’s leading accident prevention charity is now working closely with Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council, which have seen two nappy sack deaths within the space of 14 months.

In addition to the latest case in Derby, a five-month-old girl, also from Derbyshire, died in October 2013 after covering her nose and mouth with a nappy sack. The coroner recorded a verdict of sudden death in association with a plastic nappy sack, after hearing evidence she liked grasping items and had reached a partially-used nappy sack which had somehow got within her reach from a cot-top changer fixed to the end of the cot.

Councillor Dave Allen, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for health and communities, said: “These two local deaths of very young babies were tragic accidents which have had a devastating effect on the families involved.

“That’s why we’re keen to support RoSPA’s campaign to highlight the dangers of suffocation from this product and other plastic or packaging.”

RoSPA advises parents and carers to:

• Always keep nappy sacks and other plastic bags or wrapping away from babies and young children

• Never place nappy sacks in or near a baby's cot or pram

• Be aware nappy sacks are extremely light and flimsy and can be easily blown off a high surface or across a room by a draught or by opening or shutting a door

• Buy nappy sacks on a roll if possible.

More information, plus leaflets and posters to download on RoSPA’s nappy sack safety campaign are available at www.rospa.com/campaigns-fundraising/current/nappy-sacks