HEALTH chiefs in Blackburn are aiming to slash the number of youngsters suffering accidents - with help from a special calendar.

The calendar carries a different safety message each month to warn parents how they can look out for their children's well-being.

And it is to be handed out to families across the town so that parents will heed the warnings and help prevent accidents.

Blackburn Royal Infirmary's A and E Department saw 2,257 under fours who were injured in accidents from April 1 2003 to March 31 2004 -- an average of six a day.

Of these 1,676 were accidents in the home, including trapped fingers, burns, fractures and head injuries.

The June-May calendar has a different safety message each month relating to topics including seatbelts, fireworks, water dangers and road safety.

The November entry, for example, warns adults about the danger of fireworks to coincide with Bonfire Night.

The calendar has been produced by the Blackburn West branch of Sure Start, a Government programme set up to improve the quality of life for children under four and their families. Year six pupils from 11 schools in the Brookhouse, Bastwell and Sure Start areas participated in a competition in February to design the art work.

The finished calendars will be issued to all families in those areas who have a child under the age of three.

Each month a poster depicting the theme of the month will also be displayed in local venues such as libraries, community centres and health centres and postcards with the same theme will be distributed by local early year's workers and health professionals within the area.

Health and Early Learning Team Leader, Elaine Butler, who co-ordinated the project, said: "We hope that the advice from the calendars, posters and postcards will help local parents keep their children safe and help prevent accidents to young children.

"There are a lot of reasons for accidents and sometimes it is just that a child is particularly active or accident prone but hopefully the calendar will raise awareness of some preventative measures. Sure Start aims to reduce admissions to hospital of young children as a result of a serious injury by 10 per cent during 2005/2006."

The winning designers each received a certificate and £10 book voucher in a ceremony at Bangor St Community Centre to launch the calendar.