Appliances risk for children

Millions of young children are being allowed to use potentially dangerous electrical appliances in the home without supervision, it was claimed today.

The youngsters operate irons, cookers, kettles and toasters without any guidance from adults.

One in 10 children aged 10 or younger is regularly left to iron clothes unsupervised and just five per cent of parents advise their offspring about risks associated with ironing. A staggering one million children a year require hospital treatment as a result of an accident in the home, many from electric shocks.

Now 25,000 primary schools across Britain are being sent advice on electrical safety in a bid to cut down on accidents in the home.

Experts say the surge in the number of children operating live electrical items is due to the increased use of TVs, video recorders and games consoles.

A study by the Good Housekeeping Institute and high street retailer Curry's found that 36 per cent of respondents would allow a child aged 10 or under to use a kettle or toaster unsupervised.

Thirty per cent would allow a child in the same age group to use a microwave unsupervised, and one in 10 a cooker or an iron. The report also revealed that many parents may be providing inadequate safety advice.