April e-news

Welcome to the April edition of Kidsafe’s e-news. An especially warm welcome goes out to our new subscribers who attended The Essential Baby and Toddler Show a couple of weeks ago. Each month we will send you the latest child safety information, advice and product recalls, along with Kidsafe’s latest campaigns and projects. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter so that you are always in the loop!

Global Road Safety Week 4th – 10th May #SaveKidsLives

Each day, 500 children die in road collisions around the world, with tens of thousands injured and often suffering lifelong disabilities.

Global Road Safety Week will take place from 4^th – 10^th May, with this year’s focus on children. #SaveKidsLives is the official campaign for Global Road Safety Week and is calling for action to save children around the world.

You can get involved in the campaign to #SaveKidsLives by visiting http://www.savekidslives2015.org/ and signing the Child Declaration. The declaration calls on world leaders to include a target to halve road traffic fatalities globally, “So that kids everywhere can be kept safe.”

You can also show your support for the campaign by taking a taking a “safie”, like the one pictured. To take your own “safie”, simply download the signboard from the following link: http://www.savekidslives2015.org/uploads/tekstlabel/signboard_savekidslives_a3_add_your_message.pdf, print off the signboard and write down your personal road safety message. Once you have taken your “safie”, upload it to Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #SaveKidsLives. For more examples of “safies” visit http://www.savekidslives2015.org/#sign-it. We will be sharing the best safies throughout the week on the Kidsafe Facebook page!

Let’s work together to raise awareness of road safety issues around the world and #SaveKidsLives

Hooded Sleeping Bag Warning

Infant sleeping bags can be a great option for babies as they eliminate the need for any extra bedding, which could potentially pose a suffocation hazard.

However, some infant sleeping bags on the market- particularly those sold from online and international retailers- aren’t necessarily the safest option. Some sleeping bags on the market have hoods, despite the significant safety risks.

Hooded sleeping bags can potentially cover an infant’s face while they sleep, therefore increasing the risk of suffocation.

There are a few important things to look out for when choosing a sleeping bag for your baby:

• Make sure the sleeping bag is the right size for your child.
• Make sure the sleeping bag is the correct weight for the season and the temperature in your child’s room (there are thicker bags used for the colder months and thinner bags to use in the warmer months). You can add more layers of clothing underneath the sleeping bag for warmth when necessary.
• Ensure that the sleeping bag has a fitted neck, arm holes and no hood.

For information on safe sleeping for babies, please visit http://kidsafevic.com.au/home-safety/safe-sleeping

Safety For Our Little Fellas

Does your organisation/service work with Aboriginal parents and carers?

Kidsafe Victoria’s ‘Safety For Our Little Fellas’ kits provide child safety information targeted specifically for Victorian Aboriginal parents and carers. The kits are designed to provide organisations and services with a tool to effectively engage Aboriginal parents and carers in learning and discussion about child injury prevention.

The kits contain an educational flip chart, as well as posters and fact sheets for display and distribution to parents and carers, which cover a range of child safety topics such as safe sleeping, dog safety, driveway safety and drowning.

To view the resources online, please visit http://kidsafevic.com.au/resources/safety-for-our-little-fellas

If you, or someone you know is interested in ordering some kits for your organisation, please contact bree@kidsafevic.com.au. The kits may be picked up from the Kidsafe Victoria office (located in Fitzroy) free of charge, or sent in the mail for the cost of postage.

Product Recalls

BIG W—Dymples Infants’ Elastane Tops

The ring snaps on the tops may come loose and detach from the garment, causing a potential choking hazard. Consumers should cease using the top and return it to any Big W store for a full refund. For more information, please visit https://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1069814

SlumberTrek Australia Pty Ltd—Flashlight supplied in Kids Explorer Packs Sold at BIG W Stores

The battery terminals of the flashlight could short circuit. This means that the batteries may overheat and burn consumers. Consumers should stop using the torch immediately and contact SlumberTrek for a refund. For more information please visit http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1069086