April e-news
Welcome to the April edition of Kidsafe Victoria’s e-news. This month we have some tips on safe sleeping, TV/furniture tip overs and falls prevention, as well as an update on our new space at the Monash Children’s Hospital. We also have the most recent product recalls. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for regular safety tips and updates – happy reading and stay safe!
Monash Children’s Hospital Now Open!
On Wednesday the 19th April, Monash Children’s Hospital (MCH) in Clayton officially started taking patients. The new hospital is one of the largest children’s health services and will care for more than 100,000 children every year. Kidsafe Victoria is thrilled to be making this facility our new home, with our headquarters located next to reception in the foyer of the hospital.
Kidsafe Victoria cannot thank the team at the MCH enough for their support in helping us keep Victorian children safe. We would also like to acknowledge our partners who helped make our Community Support Centre possible, including Bendigo Bank, Exxon Mobil, the Transport Accident Commission, the Play it Safe by the Water committee, RACV, The National Home Doctor Service and National Storage Mulgrave.
We are excited to have already been able to support the hospital at the recent Monash Children’s Hospital Walk, their spectacular Dandelion Ball and their recent Open day to the public. We look forward to working collaboratively and supporting the MCH on many more campaigns and events!
Stay tuned for updates on the official opening of our Community Support Centre and visit http://www.monashchildrenshospital.org/ for more information about the hospital.
Safe Sleeping for your Baby
As we know, babies cannot control their own sleeping environment. This is why it is up to us as adults to ensure they have a safe place to sleep. The safest place for a baby to sleep is on their back, in their own cot that meets Australian standards (AS/NZS 2195). Below are some more top tips for safe sleeping:
- Sleep babies with their head and face uncovered, with their feet at the foot of the cot
- Do not place any extra blankets, pillows, soft toys or cot bumpers in the cot
- Tuck bedding in securely so it is not loose, or place your baby in a sleeping bag that is the correct weight for the season and fits the neck firmly
- Use a firm mattress that fits the cot snugly, with gaps less than 20mm at the sides and ends
- Make sure the cot is positioned away from any curtain and blind cords
- Never let babies sleep on couches, bean bags, pillows or even baby capsules that have been placed on the floor
For more information on safe sleeping, please click here.
April Falls Day
Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury for young children? These falls often occur from things such as nursery furniture and equipment (e.g. prams high chairs and change tables, cots or beds), playground equipment or wheeled devices. There are also incidents every year where heavy items such as TVs, bookcases or drawers have fallen onto small children. This April, the Victorian Safe Communities Network celebrated ‘April Falls Day’ to encourage the community to understand common falls hazards. Some top tips for preventing falls in and around your home are:
- Change your baby on the floor, or if you have to use a change table, keep everything you need within arm’s reach and keep at least one hand on your baby at all times
- Always strap your child in with the five point harness when they are seated in prams or highchairs
- Secure heavy furniture to the wall using brackets or straps (these can be purchased at your local hardware store)
- Make sure your child wears a helmet when riding any wheeled device, including bikes, scooters, or rollerblades
For more information on safety in the home, visit our website.
Furniture Tip Overs
Did you know that up to two children die and hundreds of serious injuries are caused every year from furniture or TVs toppling over?
Kidsafe Victoria is supporting national consumer affair agencies as part of a new campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of unstable furniture and televisions.
To find out more about the new campaign and how you can prevent TVs and furniture toppling over, please visit the Product Safety Australia and Kidsafe Victoria websites.
Blog Post: 3 Tips for Setting up a Portable Cot
We’ve put together some tips for setting up a portable cot, so that your baby can sleep safely – and your sanity remains intact! Click here to read more!
Product Recalls
Summer Infant, Inc — Babies “R” Us Moulded Plastic Bath Support
The plastic bath aid does not have the correct warning label that should warn parents and carers of the drowning hazard. Consumers should return the bath aid to their nearest Toys R Us or Babies R Us store for a full refund. For more information, please click here.
BIG W — B Collection ToddlerBoys Henley T-Shirt
The buttons may come loose from the shirt and cause a choking hazard to young children. Consumers should cease using the shirt and return it to their nearest Big W store for a full refund. For more information, please click here.
Tudor Rose International — Organix Finger Foods Baby Biscuits
Certain batches of the biscuits are being recalled, as the product may crumble into small pieces and cause a potential choking hazards. The biscuits can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. To check if your batch has been affected, please click here.
