Lockdowns, an earthquake and watching two Melbourne teams play an interstate grand final – it has been a long couple of months for Victorian families, who have done an amazing job in such difficult circumstances.

For those who felt their homes move in the earthquake, it’s a good time to double check if any appliances or furniture has moved or are not secured as they should be – you can find out why this is important by watching little Blake’s story. And if you are visiting a new park with the kids now that we are able to travel a little further, make sure you know of any key hazards such as roads or bodies of water close by.

With daylight saving now here, please take the time to check the safety of your backyard pool barriers. Olympic Swimming Champion Matt Welsh, OAM, talks you through how to do this – see link to the video in our article about pool safety below.

Lastly, thank you to those who have completed our parent and carer survey – we’re still looking for new parents or those expecting a bub to share your feedback here.

Take care, stay safe, and please follow our Facebook page to keep up to date with our latest tips and advice.

 

Safe Barriers, Save Lives – Backyard Pool Safety Campaign

Are you and your family looking forward to jumping back into backyard pool parties and social gatherings this summer as restrictions ease? With the warmer weather just around the corner, our ‘Safe Barriers Save Lives’ backyard pool safety campaign is back again for another year – and we are calling on homeowners to ‘help save a life’ by checking their pool and spa barriers at the beginning of daylight saving.

Tragically, drowning continues to be one of the leading causes of unintentional death for Australian children under 5 years of age. Last Financial Year 25 Australian toddlers drowned – a 108% increase on the previous year and the largest number since 2016/17. The majority of these incidents occurred in swimming pools.

Along with active adult supervision, pool and spa barriers play an important role in keeping kids safe – but only if they are regularly checked and maintained. Faulty or non compliant pool and spa barriers have played a role in a number of backyard drowning incidents involving Australian children.

If you’re not sure where to start checking, some of the most common issues include gates that are no longer self-closing or self-latching, climbable objects near the barrier, gates that are propped open, and excess space under the barrier – all of which can provide children with unsupervised access to the water area.

For more information on Kidsafe’s ‘Safe Barriers, Save Lives’ campaign, including links to the Victorian Building Authority home pool safety self-assessment checklists, please click here.

We would like to say a big thank you to our generous sponsors who have helped make this campaign possible, including the Victorian Play it Safe by the Water committee, Safetech Hardware Australia, and Master Pool Builders Association Australia (MPBAA).

 

The strange symptom that alerted a worried Mum about something sinister

Dolly was a bubbly and happy little 5 year old who within weeks of complaining of a sore chest and throat had started to fall asleep at the dinner table and cry when she was eating and drinking.

“I knew. I just knew. Something wasn’t right…”

“My happy little girl went downhill so quickly and yet multiple medical appointments couldn’t tell us what was wrong. She was pale and just not herself”, recalled Mum Kirra.

Read what happened to Dolly

 

Toddler drownings spike to 4 year high

Sadly, toddler drownings have spiked to a 4 year high. 25 Australian toddlers drowned in 2020/21 – swimming pools are one of the most common locations where these incidents occurred.

We are grateful for the support of the Channel 9 News team of our backyard pool safety campaign – ‘Save Barriers Save Lives’ – to help more parents and carers save lives.

Thank you to Matt Welsh, Kidsafe campaign Ambassador and Olympic Swimmer. While he loves the water, he also knows the potential dangers that water can pose – particularly to young children.

And a BIG thank you also to Mel for so bravely sharing your story of almost losing your 10-month-old son to a drowning incident.

View the TV segment here

 

Kidsafe in the News

The Age – Accidental child deaths up in lockdown as parents juggle work and care
9 News – Toddler drowning deaths surge to four-year high sparking urgent safety warning
The Age – Child dies after off-road buggy rolls in Gippsland
SBS News – Australia has seen a 20 per cent rise in drowning deaths in the past year
Yahoo News – $346 fine awaits any driver doing this with their kids in the car
9 News – Young boy injured after being hit by electric bike in Melbourne’s East

 

 

 

 

 

Product Recalls

Beacon Lighting – Remote Control for Lucci Air Quest II Ceiling Fan

The button battery compartment of these remotes may not be properly secured. The button battery may be easily accessible to young children and could cause serious internal injuries if consumed.

For more information please click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Target Australia Pty Ltd – Alfie Kids’ Chair

The screws used to attach the legs to the seat may be too short, and could collapse or break and cause injury to a child using the seat.

For more information please click here.

 

 

 

 

Dotcom Investments Pty Ltd Gadget Lab – 5mm Magnetic Magic Bucky Balls Teaching Balls

This toy contains small, high powered magnets which can not only cause serious internal injuries if swallowed by a child, but also pose a choking or suffocation hazard.

For more information please click here.

 

Other product recalls this month include:

Pharmrec Trading Pty Ltd Mamakiddies Happy Dino Portable Travel Cot – Entrapment or falls
Cygnett Pty Ltd Remote Control for Ring Lights – Button Battery

To keep up to date with all product recalls, please follow ACCC Product Safety on Facebook.