February e-news

Welcome to the February edition of Kidsafe Vic’s e-news! This month we have some important back-to-school information about driveway safety, as well as portable pool safety tips and the latest product recalls. Remember to like us on Facebook so you never miss a safety tip!

Back to School – Driveway Safety

The start of the school year means lots of things: sweet relief for parents, complaints from the kids and digging out the school bag (hopefully not to find an old sandwich left over from last year)! The return (or start) of school also means there are lots of children around roads, car parks and driveways, especially during pick-up and drop-off times.

Unfortunately, there are a number of children who are killed every year due to driveway run-over incidents. These accidents peak around the start of the school year and the driver is usually the child’s parent or carer.

Children move surprisingly fast and since all cars have a blind-spot, they can easily get behind a vehicle without the driver noticing. Reversing cameras and sensors can help, however it is important to know that these features do not eliminate the risk of driveway run-overs entirely and should not be relied upon on their own to keep children safe.

When it comes to children and driveways, remember the three ‘S’ words:

SUPERVISE: Children should be supervised at all times around driveways. If you are reversing the car when a child is out the front, make sure another adult is holding their hand, or put them in the car.

SEPARATE: Treat driveways like a road and keep children’s play areas separated from the driveway.

SEE: Walk around your car before you leave and do a thorough check before reversing. In most driveway run-over incidents, the parent thinks that the child is inside or being supervised elsewhere, so always remember – DON’T GO IF YOU DON’T KNOW.

For more information on driveway safety, please click here.

Portable Pool Safety

With the scorching weather we have had so far in February, it’s no wonder that a lot of parents are purchasing portable pools to beat the heat! 

While portable swimming pools are a great way to cool down, it is important to remember that children can drown in as little as a few centimetres of water, which makes these wading pools a serious drowning risk for young kids.

Royal Life Saving Society of Australia have five simple safety steps for using your portable pool safely this summer:

1. Check with your local council regarding fencing requirements.
2. Ensure you always actively supervise children within arms’ reach whenever they are in, or around the water.
3. Never rely on older children to supervise younger children, no matter how confident you are about their ability to supervise the younger child.
4. For smaller pools – ensure you empty them and put them away when you are finished with them.
5. Always store portable pools safely away from young children. Ensure the pool cannot fill with rain water or water from sprinklers.

For more information about portable pool safety, please click here.

The State Government Launches ‘Survive the Heat’ Hot Cars Campaign

Last week Kidsafe Victoria joined the State Government, the Hon. Jenny Mikakos MP and AFL champ Shane Crawford to remind parents and carers about the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars.

You may have seen some of the campaign billboards in shopping centres, a poster at an early childhood centre, or one of the social media posts reminding parents and carers to never leave valuables in the car! The campaign also features a video from Shane Crawford and his kids to remind us just how dangerous leaving a child unattended can be.

With the hot weather we have been experiencing in Feb, it’s crucial to remember that the inside of a car can reach dangerous temperatures in a matter of minutes. If you have to leave the car – even for a moment – always take the children with you.

For more information on the campaign or to watch the video, please click here.

Kidsafe Victoria Blog – Who is watching the kids?

When there are lots of adults around the pool, how do you know who is supervising the children? In our second blog, we explain the ‘everyone is watching’ phenomenon and how to avoid it! Click here to read the full article.

Product Recalls

Cherub Baby — Cherub Baby Car Bottle Warmer
There is a possibility the warmer may overheat and cause a burn or fire. Consumers should immediately stop using the warmer and return to their place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, please click here.