Did you know that the use of e-cigarettes is now illegal in public places in NSW?  As of 1 July 2018, the Smoke-free Environment Amendment Act 2018, prohibits the use of e-cigarettes in all public areas currently specified as ‘smoke free’  including hospitals, movie theatres, libraries, restaurants and shopping centres.  This also includes commercial outdoor dining areas, public transport stops, stations and within four metres of the entrance to a public building. It is also illegal to use e-cigarettes inside NSW buses, trains and ferries.

According to the NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard ‘put simply, where you are not allowed to smoke cigarettes, you now cannot vape either.’

Why are e-cigarettes being added to smoke-free areas?  There is evidence of potential health risks from the vapours of these products even when there is no illegal nicotine substance in the e-liquid. In many cases, the smoke-free public spaces can be crowded with children and families who can be subjected to passive smoke from e-cigarettes.  For further information visit Product Safety Australia.

Content and Image: NSW Health

Pregnancy and the arrival of a new baby can mean big purchases.

Cots are constructed so that children are protected from possible injuries such as entrapments, falls and other hazards. 

A recent report from Choice showed many nursery items did not meet the safety criteria set out in the Australian Standards for cots, portable cots and strollers.

All cots and strollers sold – even second-hand– should comply with the Standards.  Look for the Australian Standard Certified Product label showing that the cot meets the standard.

You can also check out ACCC’s Product Safety’s Recalls webpage to see if a specific item has been recalled and sign up for recall and product safety email alerts. Another great resource, also from Product Safety, is Keeping Baby Safe.  This booklet gives up to date information on what to check for to ensure babies and children’s items are safe. It is available here.

If you are buying or receiving a second-hand cot make sure:

• The spacing of the bars is no less than 50cm and more than 95mm
• The mattress fits tightly - no gaps more than 20mm around the mattress
• The base of the mattress to the top of the cot is 600mm when drop side is up and 250mm when drop side is down.

If they don’t comply – don’t buy – don’t pass it on!

Source:  Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and SAI Global

Electricity makes our lives easier, but it can also be dangerous. 

To keep children safe from electricity related injury, follow these top tips:

• Always keep electrical appliances away from water
• Remember to cover your outlets to keep curious children safe from danger
• Make sure all outdoor play equipment is at least 3 metres clear from power lines
• Use electrical safety switches.  These turn the power off when there is a fault before people are injured
• Unplug electrical appliance when not in use and put them out of reach and out of sight

Watch this video from Endeavour Energy to learn more!

Image source:  Endeavour Energy

With great Spring weather and the school holiday upon us, families are taking the opportunity to be out and about, including visits to farms and off-road recreation areas.  Below is a reminder to be very safe around quad or all-terrain vehicles (ATV).

Sixty per cent of quad bike fatalities in 2017 were on farms and 20% were children under the age of 16.  It is recommended that no child under 16 years of age ride on a quad bike.

No matter the size of the quad bike, children do not have cognitive or physical ability to safely operate these vehicles.

To help address injuries associated with quad bikes, the NSW Government has increased funding for farmers in the form of training and rebates for safety equipment, such as rollover bars, to be installed onto the quad bikes. 

For more information about the funding, visit NSW Government’s Finance, Services and Innovation website.

If you are an adult quad bike rider, follow these tips to keep safe on quad bikes:

Prepare safe

• Be properly trained by completing a quad bike safety instruction course
• Make sure the quad bike is in good working order
• Read and follow operator manual
• Tell someone where you are going
• Make sure the quad bike is the right vehicle for the job or activity

Wear safe

• Always wear a helmet and protective gear

Ride safe

• Only one person to ride at a time

AND REMEMBER NEVER LET CHILDREN UNDER 16 RIDE A QUAD BIKE

Be aware that child sized motorised wheeled toys can be mistakenly advertised as quad bikes for children.  Choose the best wheeled toys based on your child’s age, size and ability to ride them safely.

Content Source:  Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Farmsafe Australia

Image Source:  Farmsafe Australia

A new study by  the Australian Poisons Information Centres (PIC) confirms that unintentional poisoning is a big concern in Australia.  Based on calls to the PIC, the study shows that poisonous substances accidently ingested differs depending on age.  For infants and toddlers, the most common substance was household cleaners followed by personal care items.    

Follow these top tips to prevent injury to your child from poisonous household items: 

• Store poisons in a locked cupboard preferably 1.5m above the ground
• Use child-resistant locks on cupboards and cabinets
• Dispose of unnecessary, unwanted or expired medicine or vitamins by dropping them off to your local chemist
• Store medicines, cleaners and chemicals in their original containers that are clearly labelled
• Never refer to medicine or vitamins as lollies
• Ensure any handbags are out of the reach of children

If you think a child may have swallowed something poisonous, take the container and the child with you to the phone and call the Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26

For more information go to Kidsafe NSW Poisoning Prevention

Kidsafe Victoria’s Safe Barriers Save Lives Backyard Pool Safety campaign calls on all pool and spa owners to check the safety of their pool or spa barriers to keep children safe in and around water.

Now that the weather is warming up, it is a good time to go through your backyard pool water safety checklist. Click here for the checklist to help decrease drowning hazards and ensure safe water play for children.

If you own a backyard pool:

• Actively supervise children when they are in or around the pool
• Never leave items against the fence that children can use to climb up
• Always close the pool gate
• Check that the pool fence is in good condition and the gate is self-closing and self-locking
• Keep a CPR chart in the pool area
• Make sure trees, shrubs, BBQ’s, pot plants, toys, chairs and other climbable objects are not within a 90cm radius of the pool fence

Click here for more information on the Safe Barriers Save Lives campaign

Image source:  Kidsafe Victoria

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

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

The Awards winners will be announced on Thursday 22 November at NSW Parliament  House.

Watch this space for more information or visit Kidsafe Australia.

National Kidsafe Day is around the corner and we’re seeking support for our 2018 campaign.

The aim of National Kidsafe Day is to increase community awareness of preventable child injuries as well as promote the critical work of Kidsafe Australia. The theme this year is Split Second and is focused on the fact that injuries to children can happen so quickly.  It can take just a split second to ingest poison; reverse out of the driveway; or, leave a backyard pool gate open.

The majority of serious injuries that can change lives in just a split second ….are preventable!

This year National Kidsafe Day will be celebrated on Tuesday 23 October 2018 as part of Children’s Week.

Keep an eye on Kidsafe’s social media for upcoming events.

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 (RSCICR301A - Provide Information and advice on correct child car restraints) 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 27 November 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:  ACCC Product Safety Australia

Kidsafe NSW is a not-for-profit charitable organisation. We rely on NSW Government grants, project funding, sponsorship and donations to deliver quality programs and resources to the community.

It is with this generous support that Kidsafe NSW is able to provide community education and injury prevention programs in the areas 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!