'My world fell apart when my baby son died - don't let it happen to you'

Beth Amison, aged 23, from Hednesford, has been raising awareness of the issue since her seven-month-old son Maison was killed in 2013. She discovered him in his cot with a nappy sack around his face.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has teamed up with her for the final day of Family Safety Week, which focuses on suffocation and choking.

Ms Amison said: "My world fell apart because of a nappy sack and by highlighting the dangers of suffocation and choking during Family Safety Week, I hope to help prevent other families from suffering a similar tragedy.

"I urge anyone who is around babies to think about the possible dangers before they become a problem. Don't have the 'it won't happen to me' or 'it didn't do me any harm, so I'm not going to think about it' attitude, because when tragedy strikes, it leaves you heartbroken forever."

At least 16 children have been killed by suffocating after putting nappy sacks in their mouth since 2001. Nappy sacks are thin, plastic sacks used to dispose of soiled nappies but many parents tend to store them close to the cot or under the mattress for convenience when changing a baby.

This can be dangerous if they are left within a baby's reach while left unattended to sleep or play.

Sheila Merrill, RoSPA's public health adviser, said: "While most people are well aware that plastic bags can be dangerous to children they don't associate these risks with nappy sacks so are less likely to take the same precautions.

"Babies and small children are most at risk from choking because they examine things around them by putting them in their mouths.

Nappy sacks are soft and very tactile meaning that they can be easily grasped by small fingers but once in their mouth they find it difficult to remove.

"As well as suffocating on items such as nappy sacks babies and toddlers can swallow, inhale or choke on items such as small toys and marbles. Small items of food such as grapes, tomatoes and blackberries can also pose a risk and should always be cut into quarters to prevent choking.

"Family Safety Week is a great way to highlight the risks so that parents and carers can protect their loved ones from death and injury, and we hope they take this life-saving advice on board."

As part of Family Safety Week, theRoSPA is highlighting a number of tips to help parents and carers prevent suffocation and choking.

These include choosing toys appropriate to the age of the child, ensuring that small objects such as marbles, peanuts and small toys are kept out of reach of children under the age of three and encouraging older children to keep their toys away from their younger playmates.

A full list can be found at www.rospa.com/resources/hubs/parents. For advice and information go to at www.familysafetyweek.org.