PARENTS are being urged to consider taking simple steps to help prevent accidents during Child Safety Week, which runs from Monday to next Sunday.

Stockton Local Safeguarding Children Board is backing the campaign's message of: Safer children, healthier lives. Pass it on.

Recommendations include:

* Teaching your child about road safety;

* Using smoke alarms and safety gates in the home and being alert in the kitchen;

* Using sun screen when out and about and being aware of dangers near water.

SureStart centres throughout Stockton borough are inviting parents and carers to drop in to discover fun ways to teach children about staying safe.

Cleveland Fire Brigade will be working with children in schools to raise awareness of grass fires and fire prevention in the home.

They will also provide support to local childminders by offering free Home Fire Safety Checks.

Business manager for the Stockton Local Safeguarding Children Board, Pauline Beall, said: "We want to see as many families as possible take part in Child Safety Week. We need everyone's help to pass our safety messages on."

Ann Baxter, chairman of the board and Stockton council's corporate director of children, education and social care, said: "Hundreds of children across the country are injured every week in accidents in the home and on the roads.

"I hope Child Safety Week will encourage parents and carers to think about the ways in which some of those potential accidents can be prevented."