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In focus: nappy sacks

Since 2001, 11 babies have died from suffocating or choking on nappy sacks. Make sure you know the risks, so that you can spread the word.

"Plastic bags can be dangerous. To avoid danger of suffocation keep this bag away from babies and children”

Thanks to this warning – which is printed on many plastic bags and packaging – most parents are aware of the suffocation risk posed by carrier bags, and keep them well out of reach of babies and young children.

Knowing this, imagine keeping a bunch of carrier bags within baby’s reach on the changing mat, under the cot mattress or knocking around the kids’ bedroom floor – you just wouldn’t would you?

Well, actually, it’s not so far-fetched. Nappy sacks are pretty much essential kit for parents of babies and young children nowadays. They’re cheap, hugely convenient for dealing with soiled disposable nappies and some are even scented to mask the smell of the poo.

Great – but here’s the rub. Yes, like carrier bags, they’re made of plastic. Unlike carrier bags however, they:

  • don’t carry a warning;
  • are small and flimsy, so not as noisy – you may not know if your baby’s got hold of one;
  • are very thin so can easily cling to the face of a baby as it inhales and a young baby will be unable to pull it away;and
  • are likely to be kept within reach of babies and children, because they’re used for nappy changing.

Young babies under six months are at greatest risk of suffocation from nappy sacks. This is because they naturally grasp things and pull them to their mouths, but then find it difficult to let go.

However, not all the nappy sack-related deaths have been a result of suffocation. At least one death was due to choking after a baby inhaled a bag.

So, now you know about the risks, what can you do to raise awareness?

The team at NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, led by Beth Beynon, Children’s Accident Prevention Co-ordinator, has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the risks. It has developed a suite of resources including a poster, a leaflet, a DVD, a short film on YouTube and a template press release.

NHS Cornwall has led on this following a cluster of incidents in the county. It is rolling out the campaign through England and Wales to draw attention to the dangers posed by nappy sacks, and all of its resources are freely available online.

Check out its website, download the FREE resources, put up a poster in your setting, or if you have an e-newsletter, why not embed the YouTube link into your next issue of your newsletter?

Access the campaign resources