KEEPING children safe will be at the centre of a series of linked campaigns in York and Selby this week.

Specific initiatives being launched locally during child safety week - which started today - will focus on "checking and chucking" toys and finding the best child's car seat.

The Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) is highlighting the safety issue, in partnership with the Selby and York Accident Prevention Groups.

Among the messages aimed at reducing the number of child-related accidents is one based around toy safety.

The campaign is encouraging all parents, child care agencies, play groups, mother and toddler groups, GP surgeries, clinics, hospitals, dentists and opticians to check through their toy boxes and chuck out any unsafe ones.

Last month, Selby's Minor Injury Department dealt with 25 children injured by toy-related accidents, and during the coming week "chucked" toys can be disposed of through normal waste collections, and in special bins at Foss Island Amenity Site, in York, outside Tesco, in Selby, and in Commercial Street, Tadcaster.

Meanwhile car seat safety will be addressed by both the PCT and City of York Council.

The council's road safety team is working with the PCT, North Yorkshire Police and Mothercare to mark the week by offering free safety checks on seats.

Ken Spence, the council's road safety officer, said: "Recent checks have shown that a majority of child car seats are improperly fitted.

"A significant number would also increase the risk of injury to children in the event of an accident."

He urged anyone with doubts to go along to the free checks, in the car park near Mothercare World, at Clifton Moor, York, between 10am and 5pm on Wednesday and 9am and 1pm on Saturday.

Specially-trained staff will be present to do the checks and offer advice.

PCT health promotion specialist Clare Barrowman said: "Unsafe toys and poorly-fitted car seats are two preventable causes of injury to young children. We hope that by raising the issues we can help reduce the number of children hurt.

"Child safety week is vital in raising awareness, but the PCT is committed to continuing its work in the community and further safety initiatives are planned."

Updated: 12:09 Monday, June 17, 2002