Our aim is not to reduce opportunities for learning and creative play but rather assist in predicting when a problem or risk might eventuate. Consequently, as partners in the care of children, we can avoid a situation whereby a child’s development and their capacity to explore their world is impeded by accidents and injuries.

This edition of Kidsafe News covers a diverse range of injury prevention topics to assist in managing daily life that may not be a problem to a teenager or adult but can create risky situations for toddlers and young children. For example, safe storage of household medicines and poisons can sometimes be overlooked. We have to be careful that where we store items is safe as well as effective.

Travelling safely with children on a plane can often be a concern for parents. Check out the article Travelling on airplanes with children for some important safety tips. 

We recently celebrated National Kidsafe Day - Kidsafe NSW hosted an event attended by the Governor General. Her Excellency reiterated the Kidsafe message in her speech "it's not about the grazes". With support from Volkswagen Australia, we are very pleased to announce the launch of a new Wiggles song "Beep Beep, Buckle Up" specially written for National Kidsafe Day. Details follow in this newsletter.

Once again, we hope you enjoy the Kidsafe Newsletter. Please contact us if you would like us to feature a particular topic or area of interest – we really do enjoy receiving your emails and letters.

Regards—Christine Erskine

To view the winning entries click here.

Click here for more information.

‘Beep Beep, Buckle Up’ highlights the Volkswagen Safer Roads Report findings. The song is the last collaboration by the original Wiggles band members before they embark on their farewell tour.

'Beep Beep, Buckle Up' can be downloaded by clicking here.

Small children can be impossible to see from inside a car, especially if they are immediately behind it. The rear vision in most cars has a blind spot of up to 3m behind the car – this can easily obscure a child. Even if your car has parking sensors or a video camera fitted, you may not notice a small child until it is too late to stop.

Safety tips include:

• Always supervise children when a vehicle is being moved. Separate play areas from the driveway and discourage any play in this area.
• Make access to the driveway from the house difficult for a child, possibly using security doors, fencing or gates.
• Hold children’s hands whenever you are near vehicles. When moving a vehicle, ensure that all children are holding the hand of an adult or are securely separated from the driveway or road.
• If you are the only adult at home and need to move a vehicle, even only a small distance, place children securely in the vehicle while you move it.
• Always walk around the car and check before moving it – even if you think children are secured indoors.

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport has recently released a brochure Driveway Safety – Are your kids at risk? Click here to download a copy

For more information visit:

1. Kidsafe NSW
2. NRMA Reversing Visibilty Index

In Australia, an estimated four children per week present to an emergency department with an injury related to a button battery. The most serious cases involve 10 cent-sized batteries, but all sizes are hazardous. Kids under 5 are at the greatest risk.

Many slim, sleek devices such as keyless entry remotes, mini remote controls, singing greeting cards, flameless candles and other electronics have battery compartments that are easy to open and most parents do not know there is a risk.

 Safety tips include:

• Keep devices with button batteries out of reach if the battery compartments aren't secure, and lock away loose batteries.
• If a child swallows a button battery, go to the emergency department immediately.
• Do not let the child eat or drink and do not induce vomiting.
• Share this information with others.

For more information visit:

1. Product Safety Australia
2. Poisons Information Centre - 13 11 26

Safety tips include:

• Limit the use of quad bikes to riders who are at least 16 years old.
• Ensure only one rider at a time, don’t carry passengers.
• A farm ute or small utility vehicle is a better method to carry passengers and heavy loads safely as they are stable.
• A suitably tested crush protection device (CPD) should be fitted to the quad bike.
• When riding a quad bike, always wear a helmet.
• Always keep the quad bike well maintained and tyres correctly inflated according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

For more information visit:

1. Farmsafe
 

• Ask friends or your travel agent for advice on child-friendly airlines. Some airlines are more accommodating than others.
• Ask your travel agent for suggestions on airline travel with children. It is recommended to check with your Doctor if travelling on a plane with an infant younger than 12 weeks. 
• If your child is travelling on your lap, they will be strapped into your seat via a child extension strap. Some airlines will allow you to strap a car-restraint onto the plane's seat and then strap your child inside the car-restraint in the usual way. This is considered the safest way for your child to travel.
• Don't hesitate to ask the flight attendants for help.
• Use the pull-down change table in the airplane toilet to change your baby.
• Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration.
• Bring something for the child to suck on. The change in cabin pressure during take-off and, in particular, during plane descent can hurt their ears. Swallowing eases the pressure, but the trick is getting your child to swallow at the right time. Suggestions include: try to time your baby's feeds for during take-off and landing: give your child something to drink or eat.

For more information visit:

1. Qantas
2. Virgin Australia

Common causes of poisoning in children under five years of age include: 

• Paracetamol
• Antibiotics
• Cough and cold medicines eg. Dimetapp, Demazin etc.
• Pesticides eg. rat and mice baits
• Cleaning agents eg. general purpose and hard surface cleaners
• Soaps and detergents Dishwasher powder or tablets
• Bleach

Safety tips include:

• Store medicines safely immediately after they have been purchased.
• Keep them out of reach and out of sight of your child, in a high cabinet or cupboard
• Do not refer to medicines as ‘lollies’
• Dispose of unwanted and out-of-date medicines safely by returning them to the pharmacy
• Store medicines requiring refrigeration in a small locked medicine box on a high shelf in the fridge
• Handbags are not a safe storage location Consider using non-toxic cleaning products
• Store dangerous products such as cleaning agents in a high cupboard with a child resistant lock
• Store chemicals in their original containers. Choose containers with child resistant closures Lock garden sheds and garages

For more information:

1. Poisons Information Centre -  13 11 26