Kidsafe has renewed its RED ALERT over potentially serious accidents involving children and babies in prams travelling on trains. This follows an incident at Tooronga Station this morning where a pram accidently rolled off the platform and was hit by a train.

Melanie Water, State Manager of Kidsafe Victoria said accidents can occur with:

• Runaway prams in high winds after being left with their brakes off
• Unrestrained babies spilling from prams falling between the train and platform
• Children becoming separated from parents at stations

Ms Water said Kidsafe urged parents and carers to be more vigilant with the use of their pram brakes.

As we've seen recently and again today, a number of factors can lead to a potentially serious incident if the parent/carer is not holding the pram. If your hand leaves the pram, even for a second, then the brake needs to be on.?

We are also concerned about parents who leave their babies and toddlers unrestrained in prams whilst travelling and getting on and off the train. This leaves the child vulnerable to serious injuries if they fall from the pram.?

Kidsafe says the key safety steps to take include:

• Ensuring brakes are properly applied on prams
• Ensure babies and toddlers in prams are properly restrained
• Exit trains back wheels first
• Enter trains front wheels up
• Ensure the mobile front wheel is locked and fixed with three wheeled prams
• Keep a hand on your pram at all times
• Keep children close by as you get on and off trains 

Kidsafe last year launched a poster campaign at stations to highlight the issue and rail safety has become a part of the safety talk Kidsafe staff provide at maternal and child health centres.