Burns and scalds can happen quickly in the home, especially for babies and young children. With the right information and support, there are simple ways to reduce the risks and help families feel more confident.

Manchester has the highest rate of serious childhood burns in England, with babies and children under three most affected. We also know that families facing financial pressures or other challenges can be at greater risk. Some hazards may not always be recognised until an injury happens, and when burns do occur, commonly shared home remedies such as toothpaste or oils are sometimes used, which can increase the chance of infection and lifelong scarring.

To help address this, colleagues in our Healthy Schools team have been working with the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) on the Scar Free Project. Delivered over 18 months, the project focuses on prevention through education, particularly reaching families who may be less likely to access traditional services.

Working alongside over 250 trusted community groups across the city, including refugee services, faith organisations, baby banks and groups supporting people experiencing homelessness, the team has helped to share practical advice in ways that feel accessible and relevant.

Recognising that some families may face barriers such as language, literacy or digital access, the team has created clear, visual resources using plain English and reflecting everyday risks at home. More than 28,000 resources have been shared across the city so far, alongside education packs to support over 50 organisations to run their own sessions.

A ‘train the trainer’ session held earlier this year also brought VCSE colleagues together, helping to build confidence in sharing burns prevention messages within their communities.

The project has also provided practical items to support families, available through Sure Start Centres. Funded through Urgent Care Insights work, these include tea towels and coasters with simple safety messages, heatproof storage for hair styling tools, and first aid postcards.

These items are being shared with families in the four wards (Levenshulme, Harpurhey, Gorton and Abbey Hey, and Crumpsall) which had the highest accident and emergencies (A&E) attendances for burns and scalds in under 5s during 2025.

As the work continues, it highlights how practical support and strong community partnerships can help reduce inequalities and support safer environments for children.

To find out more about the project, visit the Scar Free information page on the CAPT website.

You can also access additional burns and scald prevention resources via this page.