Welcome to the April edition of Kidsafe Victoria’s e-news. This month we have some information on button battery safety, carbon monoxide awareness month and the delivery of our accredited course in child restraint fitting. We also have some information on the most recent product recalls. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for regular safety tips and updates – happy reading and stay safe!
Button Battery Safety
We use electronic devices every day without giving them a second thought. However, did you know that there is a hidden danger inside many of these devices that poses a serious risk for children? The hidden danger is powerful coin sized button batteries.
Approximately 20 Australian children present to an emergency department every week with a button battery related injury. If ingested, a button battery can become stuck in a child’s throat where saliva immediately triggers an electrical current which causes a chemical reaction that can burn the oesophagus in as little as two hours, causing severe life-threatening injuries and in some cases death.
Kidsafe Victoria has supported calls for tougher safety regulations and a mandatory safety standard for products containing button batteries, following the release of the Coroner’s findings into the death of Isabella Rees who passed away in February 2015 after a button battery became lodged her oesophagus.
Together with calls for tougher safety standards, Kidsafe Victoria is urging all parents, carers and family members to conduct regular button battery audits of areas in and around their homes and put in place measures to reduce the risk of children accessing and ingesting these batteries.
As part of our ‘Button Battery Safety’ campaign we have a range of resources, including those for parents and carers, hospital Clinicians and General Practitioners, which can be utilised to help raise awareness of the dangers posed by button batteries.
For more information on the dangers posed by button batteries, what you can do to reduce the risk in your home or to access the campaign resources, please visit https://www.kidsafevic.com.au/home-safety/button-batteries.
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas with fumes that are impossible to see, taste or smell. It is often referred to as the “silent killer” as its effects can be deadly and you can die from inhalation.
Any appliances that use gas, oil, kerosene, or wood can produce carbon monoxide – this includes common home appliances such as gas central heating systems, gas hot water heater service, gas or wood stoves and ovens, gas patio heaters and wood heaters.
From the 29th April – 5th May the Chase and Tyler Foundation’s Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week will be implemented to raise awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning and how it can be prevented.
Some important measures to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Have all gas and fuel-burning appliances serviced every 1 – 2 years by a qualified gasfitter
- Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm within your home
- Ensure all chimneys and flues are swept and inspected annually
- Never use an outdoor gas or fuel-burning appliance inside your home, tent or caravan
To find out more about Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week and what you can do to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, please visit https://www.chaseandtyler.org.au/.
Australian National Injury Prevention Strategy
Representatives from Kidsafe Victoria, Kidsafe WA and Kidsafe NSW recently attended two national meetings in Melbourne and Sydney which were held in consultation for the development of the Australian National Injury Prevention Strategy.
The two round table meetings provided an initial platform to discuss the critical elements of the National Injury Prevention Strategy, including guiding principles, evidence of injury prevention interventions, and considerations of priorities for the Strategy. We were pleased to see that child injury and Aboriginal injury are both identified priorities for the plan and look forward to continuing to input as the plan develops.
Accredited Course in Type 1 Child Restraint Fitting
Last month we conducted our first accredited course in type 1 child restraint fitting, with the assistance of Kidsafe WA! The course included attendees from Hyundai Motor Company, community organisations and businesses, who were all provided with the knowledge and skills to install child restraints and conduct Type 1 fitting and checking services.
A big thank you to Hyundai Motor Company and Hyundai Help for Kids who hosted the course at their Southern Region office and provided vehicles for the practical component.
We have two upcoming courses planned for May:
- A one day workshop on Monday May 20th which is ideally suited towards Family Day Care professionals and other staff who transport children in their care. This workshop provides participants with the knowledge and skills to install and select suitable child car restraints, for transporting children in their care.
- 2 day course in type 1 child restraint fitting. This course will provide prospective Type 1 Child Car Restraint fitters with the knowledge and skills to install child restraints and conduct Type 1 fitting and checking services, as well as providing participants with the knowledge and understanding to educate consumers on the importance of appropriate selection and use of child car restraints
To register your interest in the above courses or future courses, please contact us on info@kidsafevic.com.au or 03 9036 2306.
Product Recalls
Buu Buu Children’s Wear — 2 Piece Sleepwear
The product does not comply with the fire hazard labelling requirements of the mandatory standard. Parents and carers may not be aware of the fire hazard and infants may be at risk of burn injury as a result. Consumers are encouraged to immediately stop using the product and return the sleepwear to the place of purchase for a replacement fire hazard label. For more information please click here.
BIG W — Girls Frill Sleeve Pyjamas – Emma Wiggles
The frills on the top do not comply with the requirements of the mandatory standard ‘Consumer Goods (Children’s Nightwear and Limited Daywear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Safety Standard 2017’. Consumers should return the product to any Big W store for a full refund. For more information please click here.
Adairs Retail Group Pty Ltd — Timber Cooper Cot
When the cot based is used in the upper position the distance between the top of the recommended mattress and the top of the cot is not the required minimum distance. The edges of the mattress also exceed the required specification, some edges are not rounded enough.
There is a risk that a child may be injured because they may fall out of the cot or because some edges may not be rounded enough. Consumers should stop using the cot and contact Adairs to either receive a replacement mattress, correct safety label to apply to the cot and teething rails to cover the top guard rail edges, or obtain a refund. For more information please click here.
