THE RISKS of using nappy sacks, which were involved in the tragic death of two babies in Cornwall, are to be highlighted in a nationwide NHS campaign.

Cornwall Coroner Emma Carlyon wrote to the Department of Health and local health chiefs concerned that parents were unaware of the risks after two babies suffocated.

She wanted to highlight the cases to prevent further deaths.

An inquest into the death of seven-week-old Ryley Stevens, from Hayle, who was found in his cot with a nappy sack over his face in 2005, recorded an open verdict.

Cameron Fry, aged four months, was found lifeless in his pram in July, 2009, at his home in St Columb, a blood-stained orange nappy sack in his hand.

Recording a verdict of accidental death the coroner said the nappy sack had most likely blocked his mouth and nose.

"In the first six months babies have an automatic reflex to clasp and put things in their mouth," Dr Carlyon told the Cornish Guardian.

"Nappy sacks are a flimsy thin material that is easily breathed in and babies do not have the reflex to pull it away."

She condemned mothers who had posted comments on the mumsnet website criticising the need for the NHS campaign.

"This isn't about parents being stupid.

"Babies are not pulling the nappy sacks over their heads and in both cases they were not in easy reach of the babies when the parent left the room," she added.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust (PCT) took action by introducing a local campaign highlighting the risks.

Now it has been adopted by the NHS with public health teams across the country being issued a campaign "toolkit" designed in Cornwall.

At least 11 babies in the UK have died from suffocation after pulling nappy sacks stored in their cots, or near to where they sleep, to their faces.

Dr Carlyon added: "Most people want their child's death – or any death – not to be in vain, and if we can learn something and pass on that information to others to prevent future deaths, that is a good thing that's come out of the inquest process."

The cause has also been backed by the Child Accident Prevention Trust and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

The PCT's children's accident prevention co-ordinator and campaign founder Beth Beynon said: "If we can take this campaign out to communities and reach parents, grandparents and carers, we will have achieved one giant step towards preventing any more babies from needlessly dying."