Supporting your family’s health
Reliable information to help keep your family healthy, including vaccinations, health checks, lifestyle advice, and routine developmental care.
Practical information for keeping your home safe, covering hazards, safe environments and steps to protect babies and young children.
- Child Accident Prevention Trust is UK’s leading experts in child accident prevention, offering safety alerts, safety advice, training and free resources to help secure a safer world for all our children.
- RoSPA champions safety through life saving campaigns.
Simple NHS approved steps for checking your breasts or chest regularly, helping you notice changes early and stay informed about your health.
Easy to follow guidance on checking your testicles regularly to spot any changes early and support your long term health.
Choking can happen quickly, especially in young children. Knowing what to do straight away can save a life.
What should I do if a child is choking?
- Encourage them to cough if they can
- If coughing is not effective:
- Give up to five back blows
- Then up to five abdominal thrusts (or chest thrusts for babies)
- Call 999 if the blockage does not clear
- Start CPR if they become unresponsive.
What about anti choking devices?
You may have seen devices designed to remove blockages using suction.
- National guidance says there is not enough evidence to support their routine use
- There are concerns they could delay proven first aid
- Some products sold online are counterfeit or unsafe.
Important
These devices should never replace standard first aid. Always act immediately using recommended choking techniques.
Learn more
- Resuscitation Council UK – position on anti-choking devices
- MHRA safety warning about counterfeit devices
- NHS – how to help a choking child
What differences to look for
Trusted child safety guidance for families with dogs, including tips for safe interactions and preventing accidents as your baby grows.
Ambulance services, hospitals, walk-in centres and urgent treatment centres can get busy. By choosing the right health service, you will help to relieve pressure whilst also being better placed to look after yourself and others.
If you need medical help fast, use NHS 111 online or by phone. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and they’ll know the best service for your treatment need. They can also book you in to be seen at your local UTC / WIC, or you can turn up without an appointment.
Clear guidance on childhood vaccinations, helping you understand when each vaccine is due and how they protect your child’s long‑term health.
- NHS vaccinations and when to have them
- Vaccinations in pregnancy
- Pregnancy: how to help protect you and your baby
- Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself
- School aged Vaccination and Immunisations from Mersey Care
- A quick guide to childhood vaccinations for the parents of premature babies - GOV.UK
Public Health information
Meningitis and sepsis can kill in hours, so it's very important you know the symptoms and can spot them early. Learn about Meningitis symptoms here.
Tips for managing common childhood illnesses and preventing everyday accidents, with guidance on when and where to get medical advice.
- Symptom checker - Alder Hey Children's Hospital Trust
- The Little Orange Book: Expert advice on helping babies and young children when they're poorly
It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school, nursery or playgroup when they're unwell.
Support and advice for reducing smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy and parenting, helping protect your baby’s health and development.