Curtain and blind cord safety
Looped curtain and blind cords pose a significant strangulation hazard for children as they can place the loop over their head and/or get tangled in the loose cords. At least 15 young children have died as a result in Australia since the early 1990s, including two in Victoria in 2009. What can I do to […]
Poisoning
Unintentional poisoning is a major cause of injury and hospital admissions for children in Australia. Most incidents occur in children aged under 5 years of age, with children aged one to three years at greatest risk. Many products used in our homes can be potentially harmful for children. Common poisonous items found in and around […]
Safe Sleeping
In the 20 years between 1985 and 2005, deaths from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in Australia fell by 83%. Research suggests that to a large extent, this was due to parents placing their babies to sleep on their back, rather than on their side or tummy. Despite this dramatic decrease, the current trend both […]
Nursery furniture safety
Every year many Australian children need hospital treatment for injuries involving infant and nursery products. Therefore, when purchasing nursery products such as cots, high chairs, change tables and prams, it is not only the colour and style that you have to consider – child safety should be the priority. Some nursery furniture products have mandatory […]
Falls
Falling is a natural part of growing up – all children will fall as they learn to walk, climb and play. Some children may escape a fall with only minor cuts and bruises, however others are far more serious. Falls are the leading cause of hospital admission for Australian children. Common injuries from falls include […]
TV and furniture tip overs
Every year many children are injured from furniture or appliances tipping onto them. Children are naturally inquisitive and will not always use furniture as it is intended – for example, they may use bookcases and shelves as a ladder to gain access to reach an item that is stored up high. Between 2006 – 2010, […]
Fire safety/burns and scalds
Fire safety The most common causes of house fires include: Unattended cooking Electrical faults from faulty appliances and faulty wiring Home heating Smoking Candles and oil burners Smoke alarms are compulsory in all Victorian homes. It is the legal responsibility of all owners and landlords to install working smoke alarms. Remember, smoke alarms need to […]
Safety products
There are a large number of safety products that are available to assist you in making your home Kidsafe. Many of these products can be purchased from your local hardware store. While these products can assist you in restricting your child’s access to a range of hazards, the products should never be relied upon on […]
‘Don’t go if you Don’t Know’ Driveway Safety Campaign
Kidsafe Victoria’s Driveway Safety campaign was launched in October 2011 to raise community awareness of the dangers that driveways pose for children. The campaign provides parents and carers with information, advice and practical strategies to assist them to keep their driveways Kidsafe. As part of the Driveway Safety campaign, Kidsafe’s driveway safety stickers (pictured left) […]
Vehicle blind spots
All cars have a blind spot, some up to more than 15 meters behind the vehicle, which can make it difficult to see a child. This means that any car can be involved in a driveway run over, not just larger vehicles such as four wheel drives, vans and trucks. Reversing sensors and cameras can […]