With Christmas on our doorstep, the team at Kidsafe Vic are busier than ever thanks to a successful 2019.
We would like to thank you for your ongoing support and readership. Our office will be closed from Monday the 23rd December until Monday the 6th of January. If you have any queries during this time, please email info@kidsafevic.com.au and we will respond when we return.
In the meantime, keep following our Facebook page for helpful tips and advice over the Christmas break! Merry Christmas to all and we hope you and your family have a safe and happy New Year!
Pictured: Holly & Sisuoda from Kidsafe Victoria with Elf on the Shelf.
With the busy Christmas shopping period in full swing and summer temperatures starting to climb, we launched our annual ‘Do Not Leave Children Unattended in Cars’ campaign at the Monash Children’s Hospital, to remind the public about the dangers of leaving children unattended in a car.
The temperature inside a parked car can be 20-30 degrees hotter than outside – on a typical summer day, that means the temperature inside a parked car can be over 60 degrees in a matter of minutes.
Children are particularly at risk because they can lose fluid quickly, become dehydrated and suffer from heatstroke, which can be fatal.
A key focus of our campaign is the installation of ‘Do Not Leave Children in Cars’ car park warning signs, which are ideally suited for car parks at early childhood centres, shopping/cafe strips, sporting facilities and aquatic centres.
HOT CARS SAFETY TIPS
To find out more about the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars and to access resources including videos, fact sheets and order forms for our car park warning signs, please visit our website.
New laws to improve swimming pool and spa safety came into effect in Victoria on the 1st December 2019.
As part of the changes, owners are required to register their pool or spa with their local council by June 1st 2020 – you can contact your local council for more information on how to register.
An inspection system has also been introduced as part of the new laws – this will require owners to arrange an inspection of their safety barrier to determine if it is compliant, once every four years. The deadlines for inspection and lodgement of certificate of barrier compliance are staggered based on the date your pool or spa was installed – further information on the deadlines can be accessed via the VBA website.
While pool and spa barriers help to keep children safe, it’s important that they aren’t relied upon on their own to prevent drowning incidents. Your backyard pool defence should be made up of a number of actions, including active adult supervision of children in and around water, water familiarisation and swimming lessons and first aid knowledge, to help ensure your family has a fun and safe summer.
To find out more about setting your backyard pool defence and to access resources including pool and spa barrier checklists, please visit our ‘Safe Barriers Save Lives’ campaign website page.
Christmas is an exciting time, however it is also a season which poses many potential injury hazards.
To help keep your little ones safe we have listed some practical tips for busy parents and carers to be aware of in the home, around water, on the road and at play, to ensure that your family has a safe and happy festive season. To read more about our Christmas safety tips, follow this link to our blog.
Summer holidays often mean loading up the car and heading away with the family to make the most of the break. Before you head off on your trip, it’s important to check and plan a few things to help ensure it is a fun and safe journey.
Summer Holiday Travelling Tips
Safe travels!
Best & Less — Emoticon Puffer Ball
The cord can stretch and may wind around a child’s neck and pose a risk of strangulation. You should stop using the product immediately and return it for a full refund. For further information.
Peach and Pumpkins — Mambo Waterproof Newborn Neck Ring (0-1 Year)
The product does not comply with marking requirements of the mandatory standard ‘Consumer Goods (Swimming and Flotation Aids) Safety Standard 2017’ meaning users may not be aware of important safety information. If you have this product you should stop using it and return for a full refund. For further information.
Emergency Cars 3-Pack – Sold online at Catch.com.au, Mumgo.com.au, Scoopon.com.au and eBay
The product does not comply with Consumer Product Safety Standard for Toys for children up to and including 36 months of age’. The products may pose potential choking or suffocation hazards for young children. You should stop using this product immediately and contact Catch.com.au for a refund. For further information.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
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