Welcome to the August edition of Kidsafe Victoria’s e-news. This month we have included some information on the safety of child products – including a survey we need your help filling out! – and our friends at Tiny Hearts have debunked some common first aid myths. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for regular safety tips and updates – happy reading and stay safe!

Child product safety

People often think that all products for sale in Australia have to meet a mandatory standard and go through rigorous safety testing to make it onto the shelves. However, this isn’t the case. Some products like cots, prams and child car restraints have a mandatory standard that they have to meet, while others including high chairs, bassinets and change tables, don’t.

To help you choose safe nursery furniture or equipment, it is important to do some research on the type of product you are looking at purchasing. There are some great resources out there to help you, including the CHOICE website (www.choice.com.au/) – which provides independent product reviews – and the ACCC’s Keeping Baby Safe resource – which outlines mandatory standards and safety features you should look out for (https://www.accc.gov.au/…/keeping-baby-safe-a-guide-to-infa…).

Even products that have to meet a mandatory Australian standard still need to be set up and used correctly to help ensure that they are safe, so it is always important to do this according the manufacturer’s instructions. Check out our link below to some product safety research we are undertaking – we’d love your help!

LET’S BUST SOME MYTHS!

By Tiny Hearts First Aid

This month, we’re joined by the team at Tiny Hearts to bust some of the most common myths relating to baby and child injury!

For parents, the internet is full of wonderful first aid and safety resources. Some websites, however, can stray a little far from the truth. As experts in the paediatric first aid industry, we’ve seen and heard of every crazy first aid tip. While some are silly old wives tales that will do no harm or no good, others can result in further injury to our little ones. 

Burns Myth: You should apply cooling gels or submerge your little one’s burns in water 

When we burn ourselves it’s instinct is to cool the skin down. The only way to treat a contact burn is by placing the area under cool running water for twenty minutes – submerging your bub’s wound in ice water or putting ice to the skin will only result in further tissue damage.

You should also NOT:

• Peel off clothing or burning substances
• Break blisters
• Apply lotions, ointments, creams or powders. After the burn has been cooled by running water for 20 minutes, place a loose and light non-stick dressing over the area (e.g. cling wrap) and keep the rest of the body warm to prevent hypothermia.

Bleeding Myth: You should tilt your child’s back if they have a nosebleed – Incorrect!

You should, in fact, apply pressure to both sides of the nose and lean the child and their head forward to avoid blood flowing down to their throat. If blood was to travel down the throat, it could cause stomach irritation, resulting in vomiting – which makes the entire situation worse!

Dislocations Myth: You should try to pop body parts back in if you suffer from a dislocation.

This is often a big misconception amongst parents, and you should absolutely not attempt to force a fracture or dislocation back into place – doing so could result in further injury. To treat and manage dislocations you should follow DRSABCD and immobilise the affected area. 

Poisoning Myth: If your child is accidentally poisoned you should induce vomiting to remove the substance

If your little one has ingested poison by accident (e.g. cleaning substances) then you should not force them to vomit – doing so could result in further internal damage as it’s moving the poison around the body.

If your child comes in to contact with any types of poisons, apply DRSABCD and call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately and advise them on the poison that has been consumed. From here, health experts will be able to provide advice on what steps to take next (i.e. continue to monitor closely, go to your GP or call an ambulance).

First aid is a life-saving skill, and when administered correctly, will result in better health outcomes for your little ones. Remember, you should refresh your CPR skills once a year and your first aid skills every three years or every time a new bub comes along – this way you’ll be up to date with any technique changes or improvements and won’t have to rely on sketchy online articles! 

If you’re ever unsure on what to do in a first aid situation, make sure you download the Tiny Hearts App which provides detailed first aid instructions for all types of emergencies.

Do you want to be a part of improving the overall safe manufacture, purchase and use of children’s products?

Kidsafe Australia is conducting a national survey to better understand the attitudes of consumers and their buying behaviours, particularly in relation to children’s products. This research will be used to inform the work associated with improving the overall safe manufacture, purchase and use of children’s products.

Take Part in this survey Tell us what Australia parents think about Products for Children.

Product Recalls

Elegomall – Elego Magnetic Ball

This product contains small high-powered magnets. If swallowed the magnets can cause severe internal health injuries and even death. Consumers should keep magnetic balls away from young children in locked cupboard and contact the Elegomall sales team by emailing sales@etronicsworld.com for assistance and a full refund. For further information, please click here.

ALDI Sourcing Asia Limited — Jack ‘n’ Jill Wooden Jungle Railway Set

The Train set does not comply with relevant mandatory standards. Small parts may come loose from this product and pose a potential choking and suffocation hazard to young children. Consumers should stop using the product immediately and remove from reach of children. Consumers can return the product to any ALDI store for a full refund. For further information, please click here.