With Christmas fast approaching, the team at Kidsafe Vic are preparing for the holiday season and reflecting on what has been a successful and busy 2017. Kidsafe Vic would like to thank you for your ongoing support and readership.

Our office will be closed from Wednesday the 20th December until Monday the 8th January. If you have any queries during this time, please email info@kidsafevic.com.au and we will respond when we return.

In the meantime, keep following our Facebook page for regular child safety tips over the Christmas break! Merry Christmas to all and we hope you have a great new year.

A Safety Reminder When Purchasing Christmas Presents 

• Read the warnings and safety information to ensure that the item is safe for the person you are buying for.
• Check the age-grading recommendation on the packaging to ensure the toy is appropriate for the child.
• Check on productsafety.gov.au to ensure that the toy is not banned or recalled. 
• Use the ‘ChokeCheck’ tool on productsafety.gov.au/chokecheck to ensure that there are no choking hazards on the toy.
• Inspect toys and gift cards for button batteries and keep them out of reach from small children. Button batteries can be found in many common Christmas items including singing greeting cards, novelty stocking fillers and decorations that light up or flash.

For a more extensive list of toy safety information and tips, please click here.

The Sun Turns Any Car Into an Oven

Victoria has already experienced several 30+ degree days and with Summer only just starting, there will be many more on the way. Now is the perfect time to remind everyone that leaving children unattended in a car, even for a short period of time, can be fatal.

The temperature inside a parked car can be 20-30 degrees hotter than outside, meaning a car could easily reach over 60 degrees in a matter of minutes on a 30 degree day. Children are particularly at risk because they can lose fluid quickly, become dehydrated and suffer from heatstroke.

Water Safety Week 2017

From December 4-10, the Play it Safe By The Water Committee ran a statewide Water Safety Week, consisting of community events and the official launch of the Victorian Drowning Report 2016/17.

The report highlighted that 45 people lost their lives to drowning on Victorian waterways in 2016/17 – including 4 toddlers. A key finding showed that over the past 10 years in Victoria, 69% of drowning deaths of children aged 0-4 in home pools/spas involved lack of maintenance of the pool/spa barrier as a contributing factor. You can read the full report here.

This reiterates the importance of all pool/spa owners checking the safety and condition of their pool/spa barrier this summer. Visit our website for some useful resources to help you make your pool and spa area safe, including Life Saving Victoria‘s home pool safety self assessment. And remember to always actively supervise children when playing in or near water.

Product Recalls

Veronica Shnoudi – Ice Cream Silicone Baby Teether 

The teethers are smaller than the permitted dimensions and do not comply with the mandatory standard. The product may get lodged in an infant/child’s throat and pose a choking or suffocation hazard. Consumers should stop using the product immediately and return to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement with different product. For further information please click here. 

VTech Baby Pack & Go Travel Mobile

The white part of the clamp (which attaches the mobile to a cot or playpen) may crack and weaken. If the clamp fails the mobile could fall into the cot which poses an injury risk to the cot occupant. Consumers should stop using the product and go to https://support.vtech.com.au/ and raise a ticket on the support portal. Consumers will be given instructions on how to return the product and will be offered a full refund. For further information please click here.

VTech Baby Shake and Sing Elephant Rattle

There is the potential for the ear of the rattle to detach, which would expose a small, blunt, metal rod which remains attached to the rattle. If the ear comes off, the exposed rod may cause pain if pressed against the skin. Consumers should stop using the product and go to https://support.vtech.com.au/ and raise a ticket on the support portal Consumers will be given instructions as to how to return the product and will be offered a full refund. For Further information please click here.

Discoveroo Magnetic Stacking Owl  

The owl’s beak may become detached from the product: small parts are a choking hazard for children under 36 months. Consumers should stop using the product and email enquiries@babybrands.com.au or call (02) 8911 0642 and will be offered an alternative product of equal value. This product was available from independent toy and baby stores nationally. For further information please click here.

Toys “R” Us – Totally Me Clay Studio  

Mould can be present in the clay. Mould poses a risk of respiratory or other infections in individuals with compromised immune systems, damaged lungs or an allergy to mould. Consumers should stop using the product and return the kit to a Toys “R” Us store for a full refund. For further information please click here.