It’s hard to believe that there is only one more week until school holidays start – it feels like the kids just went back to onsite learning!

This month we were grateful to Brooke for sharing her story as part of our water hazards campaign. If you have 3 minutes, watch her video now – it is just amazing. If you haven’t already done one, you’ll definitely want to book yourself into a CPR course today.

Our farm safety creative competition has launched for its final year and we’d love to see just as many amazing entries as last year. It’s a fun way to engage the kids in learning about how to be a Farm Safety Hero.

We also want to acknowledge the inspiring work being undertaken by Dylan Briggs’ family and his classmates. This month marks two years since Dylan tragically died in a road accident while cycling home from school. They have created the Chill Out & Look About initiative in his honour to help improve road safety awareness for all road users. This is an incredible legacy in Dylan’s memory, and shows just how capable our younger generation are of making a difference.

Lastly, a reminder – on Saturday, 28th May, we would love you to join us at our first ever Gala Ball in collaboration with The Compassionate Friends Victoria. A ‘Night of Hope’ will raise funds for our critical, life-saving programs. Matt Hetherington is headlining the entertainment on the night – which is perfect timing with dancefloors again open!

Please follow our Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up to date with our latest tips and advice.

 

 

Toddler drowning risks at home

Did you know that toddlers are at risk of drowning in everyday objects around the home? It’s not only large bodies of water that can pose a drowning hazard for children – they can drown in as little as a few centimetres of water, which means that other drowning hazards in and around the home can include fish ponds, eskies, buckets, laundry tubs and even pet water bowls.

This month we launched a new water hazards campaign including a series of videos titled ‘Through My Eyes’, featuring several families who have experienced fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents.

Brooke bravely shares the story of almost losing her 13-month-old son, Oscar due to an unexpected danger around the home – an esky:

“I’m sharing my story so others don’t have to live it. I want other parents to know how dangerous containers like eskies with melted ice can be and to never leave their children unsupervised around them.”

…and Ash shares what life is like after losing her beautiful 2-year-old son, Hunter, in 2020 when he tragically drowned in a dam on a family property:

“The way that this has impacted me, and my family is raw and painful. We buried Hunter on the Tuesday and we saw on the Friday that another 2-year-old drowned 2 hours away from us. It just broke my heart. You can’t be complacent. Not for a second.”

Read this month’s blog, and learn more about Brooke’s story.

Watch Brooke and Ash tell their stories and learn more about water hazards in the home and what you can do to prevent a drowning incident: https://www.kidsafevic.com.au/water-safety/

 

 

Our Weekend at the PBC Expo

We were thrilled to have a presence at the Pregnancy Babies & Children’s Expo last month where we presented talks about safety in the home, provided live child car restraint demonstrations, and answered questions about child safety from parents and those expecting the arrival of a little one.

Once again this year, the number one topic people wanted to know about was child car restraints: which one to buy, when does it need to be turned around, how do I install it in my car, what does this strap do and where on earth does it go…..and much, much more.

Thank you again to all who attended and came to say hi – if you’d like to pick our brains in-person you can come and see us at the next one in July!

Click on these links to learn more about all things child car restraints, our free professional child car restraint fitting and checking program (Safe Seats Safe Kids), and book in for a first aid course.

 

 

Help Shape Our Roads for the Future

Transurban has created a survey about the roads in our communities and how we use them. We’d love for you to contribute your thoughts to help shape how we travel, PLUS, it can also greatly support us and our mission – the top 3 nominated organisations (by survey participants) will receive a cash donation from Transurban. This would in turn help us continue to deliver our programs and keep our kids safe on the road.

The survey takes 20 minutes to complete, with entrants going into the draw for the chance to win $100.

To take the survey and help support Kidsafe, please click here.

 

 

 

2022 Farm Safety Creative Competition Launch

We are excited to announce that our Farm Safety Creative Competition has returned for 2022!

For the third and final year, we are inviting all Victorian preschoolers and primary school aged children to get involved and take an active role in exploring farm safety issues by creating a video, radio ad, poster, collage, illustrated story or comic strip based on this year’s theme – ‘Farm Safety Heroes’.

The theme centres around how we can all play a part in making the farm a safe experience for everyone, whether we live, work on or are visiting a farm. Encourage your kids to become a real life ‘Farm Safety Hero’ and learn about farm safety to keep our current and future generations safe.

There are a range of great prizes up for grabs for winning entries including vouchers, book packs, toy packs and stationary packs!

Entries close Friday 4th November 2022.

To help get the kids started, download our Teachers Pack, Parents Pack or Early Childhood Pack. The packs include background information on farm safety and hazards, tips on creating entries, fun resources and learning activities.

We look forward to receiving all of your creative entries! If you’re needing some inspiration, check out the winning entries from our 2020 and 2021 Farm Safety Creative Competition.

To enter or to learn more about the competition, please visit: https://www.kidsafevic.com.au/home-safety/farm-safety-creative-competition/

 

 

Kidsafe in the News

Kidsafe – New Campaign to Prevent Drowning Across the Region
Kidsafe – A Mother is Issuing a Warning to Parents After Her Toddler Almost Drowned in an Esky
Kidsafe – Water hazard warning ahead of the long weekend
Kidsafe – Geelong mum warns of water risks
Kidsafe – Kids Car Seat Warning
Kidsafe – Are you a 2022 Farm Safety Hero?
9 Honey – Paramedic’s Warning Over Toddler’s ‘Devastating’ Hand Sanitiser Injury
7 News – Victorian Dad Furious After 5 Year Old Son Ends Up in Hospital Weeks After Vaping
West Australian – Daisyanna Coates Pays Tribute to Son Noah After Tragic Death in Driveway Accident
Herald Sun – Devastating Moment Frankston Mum Realised Her Teenage Son Was Hit By Car‘10 Years Ago, My Daughter Died in an Accident. This is What I Wish I’d Known Then’

 

 

Upcoming Courses

Accredited Child Car Restraint Training Courses – Book Here

• Next available: 27th – 28th April (Niddrie)

Paediatric or Perinatal First Aid Training Courses – Book Here

• 9th April – Perinatal First Aid for New and Expectant Parents (Royal Children’s Hospital)
• 30th April – Paediatric First Aid (Royal Children’s Hospital)
• 30th April – Perinatal First Aid for New and Expectant Parents (The Sebel Hotel, Ringwood)
• 7th May – Perinatal First Aid for New and Expectant Parents (Somerville)

If you’re a professional interested in booking an accredited first aid training session, please visit: https://www.growthtraininggroup.com.au/kidsafe-victoria/

 

Product Recalls

 

 

Living Water Pty Ltd trading as HappyGumnut – Wooden 3 Ball Boomerang Rattle Natural Finish with Rainbow Balls

This rattle does not meet mandatory shape and size requirements. It may break and release small parts, which can pose a choking or suffocation hazard to young children.

For more information, please click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banksia Glen International Pty Ltd – Kangaroo and Koala Soft Toy

The corks on the hat these soft toys wear may break off, and pose a choking or suffocation hazard to young children.

For more information please click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialised Australia Pty Ltd – Jett 16“ Single Speed Children’s Bicycles MY2021

These bikes do not comply with mandatory safety standards as the rider cannot brake sufficiently due to a lack of rear-pedal brakes.

For more information, please click here

 

 

 

 

Cotton On Australia Pty Ltd – Cotton On Kids Baby Swim Ring

These swim rings fail to meet mandatory safety standards. They only have one inflation chamber where two are required, are not sold with the required information booklet, and are not marked with the correct warning label.

For more information, please click here

 

 

 

To keep up to date with all product recalls , you can sign up to receive email notifications on the Product Safety Australia website and follow ACCC Product Safety on Facebook.