Burns and scalds of children aged 0-4 years are a leading cause of injury resulting in hospitalisation.  Most happen at home and are largely preventable. 

Scalds of young children are often caused when a parent or carer is having a hot drink and a child is nearby or in the arms of an adult.

To keep children safe from scalds:

• Don’t hold your child when having a hot drink
• Keep kettles, jugs, mugs and cups out of reach
• Place burn or scald under cool running water for 20 minutes

Click the link for the HOT DRINKS BURN LIKE FIRE infographic

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Falls are the most common cause of injury in every age group for children.

Three factors that influence how serious a fall can be are the height of the potential fall, what the child could fall onto and what a child might hit as they fall.  Falls from windows can be especially serious. 

Follow these tips to help protect children from falling out of windows: 

• Do not rely on fly screens to prevent a child from falling through a window.
• %97%CB%B0%B7%CB%D6%C8%D8t%CFp%BF%D6%85%BB%D1%B6%DBU%D6%AA%C1%D3%A2R to check your window opening.
• Limit windows to a maximum opening of 12.5 cm or use a window fall prevention screen such as KidScreen from Alspec.
• Move chairs and furniture such as beds, cots or change tables away from windows.

For more information on the responsibilities and rights of landlords visit NSW Fair Trading.

Image source:  NSW Fair Trading

The 2018 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards (the Awards) recognise excellence and innovation in the provision of safe, creative playspaces. The Awards are open to playground owners, service providers, design professionals, students and landscapers from across Australia.

A great opportunity to showcase playspace design in action!

The Awards aim to promote inspirational, innovative, best practice play facilities that encourage healthy participation in recreational activities for all children.

Judging Criteria

  Playspace will be judged on the following:

• Commitment to Safe Play
• Innovative Design
• Inclusive Playspace Design
• Community and Culture
• Shade Elements
• Sustainability

Award categories include education and care services, schools and public playspaces.

Entries close

AEST 5pm

Friday 27 July 2018

Winners announced November 2018

Click here to download Entry Form.

Many parents and carers ask whether it is safer to take children into the petrol station to pay for fuel or leave them in their child car seats.  Recently, Essential Baby, asked our Executive Officer, Ms Christine Erskine, just this question. 

When looking at the potential hazards around the petrol station such as it being a busy area for vehicles, it seems the safest option would be to leave the children in the car, with the windows adjusted depending on weather, while popping in to pay for petrol.  In this way, they are secured in their child car seats, covered by the awning and within view at all times.

Alternatives include: pay at the pump; have a partner fill the car with petrol; or, get petrol when there are two adults (one to go in and pay and one to stay with the children.) 

To read the full article from Essential Baby, click here. 

The safest position for an infant to sleep is:

• On the back, not on the tummy or side.
• With head and face uncovered.
• In a smoke-free environment.

A recent study shows that many parents follow these guidelines for safe sleeping, but often occasional carers are not necessarily well informed.  Be sure to remind family, friends, grandparents and babysitters about safe sleeping.  Check out this important information from red nose!

Watch this video about minimising the risks of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) from Raising Children Network. 

Image source:  Rednose.com.au

Join us for this one-day course which allows the participant to gain knowledge and skills to appropriately select, install and adjust child restraints into vehicles.  This one-day course (52546WA Type 1 Child Car Restraint Fitting) is tailor made for those transporting children on a regular basis, including child care workers, family day care workers, intervention support organisations, car dealers and hire car operators.

While this course is comprehensive and has a hands-on component, it does not allow participants to become an RMS Authorised Restraint Fitter.  Please click here for additional information.

The next course is scheduled for Tuesday 24 July at Westmead.

If you are interested, please see click here to enrol!

For a complete list of product recalls including children’s clothing, furniture and toys go to ACCC Product Safety Australia

Image source:  Choice.com.au

It is with this generous support that Kidsafe NSW is able to provide community education and injury prevention programs in the area of playground safety, road safety, home safety and water safety.  It also allows us to produce newsletters, contribute to research and advocate for child safety.

If you or your organisation is interested in supporting Kidsafe NSW, please click here to donate.

We greatly appreciate your support!