CHILDREN in Blackburn with Darwen are more likely to be hospitalised with injuries than almost anywhere else in England, figures reveal.

Ahead of Child Safety Week, the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) says tens of thousands of parents in England experience their worst nightmare each year as they rush a child to A&E.

Public Health England data shows there were 455 hospital admissions caused by unintentional and deliberate injuries to children aged up to 14 in Blackburn with Darwen in 2019-20 – equating to 140 admissions for every 10,000 youngsters in the area.

Though down from the previous year's figure of 147, it was one of the highest rates in the country. The average rate across England was 91 per 10,000 children in 2019-20.

Unintentional injuries make up the majority of admissions and refer to things such as sporting accidents, falls and burns, while deliberate injuries include different types of assaults and deliberate self-harm.

Across England, there were 93,000 hospital admissions due to children suffering injuries in 2019-20 – among more than 1 million over a decade.

Hospital admissions varied significantly nationwide, and chief executive of CAPT, Katrina Phillips said different admission policies in hospitals, deprivation and overcrowding could all contribute to wide variation in rates.

In Blackburn with Darwen, toddlers were more likely to end up in hospital than those aged five and over, according to PHE.

In 2019-20, children aged up for four years old accounted for 200 hospital admissions – 189 in every 10,000.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said parents and carers should arm themselves with knowledge and information to protect children from injuries around the house.

RoSPA’s public health officer, Ashley Martin said: "The odd bruise or scrape is part of growing up but sadly, accidents involving children continue to devastate lives with those under five particularly at risk.

"On average, half of under-fives attend A&E every year following an accident that didn’t have to happen."

Between 2017-18 and 2019-20, the most common unintentional injuries – of those which PHE provides figures on – to toddlers in England came from falls, accidental poisoning and exposure to inanimate mechanical forces, which includes cuts from sharp objects such as knives.

In Blackburn with Darwen, there were 190, 70 and 110 such incidents respectively during this period.

CAPT said parents can help bring the number of injuries down by staying one step ahead of their developing children.

Child Safety Week (June 7-13) is an annual campaign run by CAPT, which aims to prompt safety conversations among families.