LANCASHIRE parents have been warned of hidden dangers to their offspring from common household items including button cell batteries, plastic nappy sacks, window blind cords and detergent liquitabs.

They have been identified as a particular danger to babies and young children.

A new campaign by Lancashire County trading standards service aims to prevent child accidents with series of four posters with advice for parents and carers in GP surgeries, libraries and nurseries.

At least 10 babies have died from suffocation after pulling plastic nappy sacks onto their faces. The sacks are often left near babies and the thinness of the plastic means they can cling to babies’ faces.

Since 1999, there have been 27 deaths where babies and young children have become entangled in window blind cords and chains when playing and strangled themselves. Young children have been injured after placing colourful detergent liquitabs in their mouths, mistaking them for sweets.

County public protection boss Janice Hanson said: “Evidence shows that these everyday household items can pose a risk to babies and young children.”