|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
- Car passenger safety
- Pedestrian safety for your child
- Poisoning prevention
- Water safety
- Preventing falls
- Fire safety
- Choking and suffocation
- Children and safety with pets
- Backyard and playground safety
- Kitchen safety
- Nursery furniture and safe sleeping
- Toy safety for pre-school
- Holiday safety
- Sport and recreation safety
- Farm safety
- Car passenger safety
Motor vehicle accidents are the single biggest killer of children under 15 years of age. RACV studies have found that over 80% of child car restraints are not fitted correctly. Incorrectly fitted restraints can result in serious injury and even the death of a child in a crash.
For further details on choosing and using car restraints and passenger safety visit any of the following sites:
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
www.racv.com.au
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
www.raisingchildren.net.au
- Pedestrian safety for your child
It is important to teach children the skills they will need to be safe, independent road users. Children observe their environment from a very different perspective, not only are they seeing everything from a different lower level they also have not yet developed necessary abilities such as judging speed and distance, making lifesaving decisions and understanding danger, which is a necessity for their road safety. Young children are vulnerable in traffic and should always be accompanied by an adult.
For further information on pedestrian safety for your child please visit:
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
- Poisoning Prevention
Poisoning is the second highest cause of 0-4 year old child hospitalisation in Victoria, at least 8 children a day receive medical attention after swallowing poison.
Most parents don't believe it will happen to their children or in their home. The most serious poisoning usually involves medicines.
For immediate and correct first aid advice call the Poisons Information Centre on 131126 (24 hours, Australia wide) or for further information on poisoning prevention visit:
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
www.returnmed.com.au
www.raisingchildren.net.au
www.kidsafe.org.au
- Water Safety
Water is an essential part of our lives - to bath, drink, cook, and play. Young children are drawn to water. Unfortunately and all too often, natural curiosity results in drowning or near drowning. In Australia, most children who drown are under five. One and two year olds are most at risk.
Whether it is at the beach, in the backyard, the bathroom, or on a farm, children need to be protected from water. It only takes a few centimetres of water for a child to drown, within a few minutes.
For further information on water safety visit;
www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au
www.rch.org/safetycentre
www.watersafety.vic.gov.au
www.keepwatch.com.au
www.farmsafe.org.au
www.raisingchildren.net.au
- Preventing falls
Falls are the most common single cause of injury amongst all age groups, and most falls occur in and around the home. Falls from nursery furniture is the most common cause of serious harm, including head injuries in the 0-2 age group.
Boys 3-5 years are most likely to be injured as result of falls due to developmental risk taking behaviour. In the older age group (5-14 years) most falls occur from playground equipment, bunk beds and other furniture and in sports related activities such as trampolines, skateboards and bikes. There are many actions you can take to prevent the more serious injuries.
For further information on preventing falls please visit:
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
- Fire Safety
Many burn injuries especially scald and flame burns, can result in permanent scarring, disfigurement and disability. The more serious injuries result in long and repeated periods of hospitalisation, many skin graft operations and on-going psychological trauma.
The majority of burn injuries to young children are caused by scalds from hot liquids, including water being boiled for drinks, cooking and hot food and hot tap water.
For further information on fire safety please visit:
www.cfa.vic.gov.au
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
www.kidsafe.org.au
www.raisingchildren.net.au
- Choking and Suffocation
Small objects, including pieces of food can be a choking risk for young children. Choking can also happen because young children are constantly putting things in their mouths as a way of finding out about new objects. Young children's airways are small and easily blocked, their reflexes are not as well developed and their bodies not as strong, so they are less likely to be able to get themselves out of trouble. Any object that can fit into a film canister can choke a child less than three years of age. Pillows, mattresses and plastics are a potential suffocation hazard for young children.
For further information on choking and suffocation please visit:
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
www.raisingchildren.net.au
- Children and safety with pets
Most children who are injured as a result of dog bites are under the age of five. Whilst some dog attacks occur in public places the majority of children are injured or bitten by the family dog, or one the child already knows well. More often than not, these bites occur on the face, head and neck because of the child's height in relation to the dog and the type of play the child engages in. Ear pulling, tail tugging and investigative habits of children can cause even placid, friendly dogs to react. The safest thing to do is keep dogs away from young children.
For further information on dogs and children please visit:
www.pets.info.vic.gov.au
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
www.raisingchildren.net.au
www.petnet.com.au
- Backyard and Playground Safety
Backyards and local playgrounds provide lots of scope to run, climb, swing, explore, play imaginary games and test new skills. With careful planning, such environments can provide the desirable challenges for children and still be safe, thereby sparing children any unnecessary injuries. There are Australian safety standards that apply to playground equipment, however it is up to parents to check and make sure the equipment is suitable for your children's needs and situation.
For further information on backyard and playground safety please visit:
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
www.prav.asn.asu
- Kitchen safety
The kitchen is a common place for many children's injuries occurring inside the home. Injuries include poisoning, falls or scalds from cooking, hot foods and beverages, or hot water. Supervision, kitchen design and organisation can help prevent injuries to young children.
For further information on kitchen safety please visit:
www.rch.org.au/safeyucentre
www.raisingchildren.net.au
- Nursery Furniture and safe sleeping
Choosing nursery furniture with safety in mind is an important way to help protect your child. Look for furniture with simple designs that incorporate safety features. Ask if the furniture meets Australian Standards and always use the furniture appropriately and according to manufacturers instructions.
Creating a safe sleeping environment for babies and young children will reduce the risk of SIDS.
For further information nursery furniture and safe sleeping please visit:
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
www.sidsandkids.org
www.babysafety.com.au
www.consumer.vic.gov.au
- Toy safety for pre-school
Toys are an important part of childhood, helping children learn and develop, as well as providing hours of fun and stimulation. Unfortunately some toys can be dangerous. Poorly constructed toys or toys that are inappropriate for your child's age and level of development can result in injury.
For further information on toy safety please visit;
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
www.consumer.vic.gov.au
www.austoy.com.au
- Holiday safety
All children and families look forward to holidays where they can relax and spend time together without the usual distractions of work and day-to-day routines. However the absence of the familiar home environment along with new activities, equipment and toys may result in injury.
For further information on holiday safety please visit:
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
- Sport and recreation safety
Sport is a very important pastime for many children providing opportunities for exercise, fun and socialisation. Generally the benefits children derive from participating in sport will far outweigh the risks. Common types of injuries include fractures, cuts and lacerations, dislocations and sprains and strains.
For further information on sport and recreation safety please visit:
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
- Farm safety
Every year, around 30 children die on Australian farms as a result of injury.
Farms are wonderful and endlessly fascinating place for children. However farms and rural properties are places where children play, work and visit and often are exposed to activities and equipment which is unfamiliar to them.
For further information on farm safety please visit:
www.rch.org.au/safetycentre
www.farmsafe.org.au
|
|
|
