Welcome to the October edition of Kidsafe Victoria’s e-news. This month we have information on the launch of our ‘Safe Barriers Save Lives’ backyard pool safety campaign, the upcoming Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo and our support of the RACV’s call for all school zones to have 40km/hr speed limits. We also have a guest blog post from our friends at Tiny Hearts on prevention and first aid for choking. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for regular safety tips and updates – happy reading and stay safe!
Is Your Home Pool Defence Set for Summer?
On Wednesday 2nd October, Olympian and father of 5, Matt Welsh, joined us at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre to launch our annual ‘Safe Barriers Save Lives’ backyard pool safety campaign.
Figures released in the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia’s National Drowning Report show that in 2018/19, 19 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned. The majority of these incidents (63%) occurred in swimming pools.
While safety barriers can be effective in reducing the risk of backyard pool drowning incidents, evidence suggests that a large number of drowning deaths are the result of barriers that are faulty, or non-compliant with Australian standards.
A series of humorous skits featuring parents employing an over the top defence and celebrations while playing backyard sporting games with their children, are being utilised throughout the campaign to remind families that when it comes to backyard pool safety, ‘the best offence is a good defence’. Along with a compliant pool barrier that is regularly checked and maintained, your home pool defence should also include active adult supervision of children in and around water, water awareness and first aid knowledge, to keep your family safe this season.
We would like to say a big thank you to our generous sponsors who helped make this campaign possible, including the Victorian Play it Safe by the Water Committee and our major sponsors Safetech Hardware Australia, SPASA Victoria and Protector Aluminium.
For more information on the campaign and to access copies of home pool safety self assessment checklists, please visit www.kidsafevic.com.au/water-safety/pool-fence-safety.
Get your free ticket to the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo
Come see us at the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo from the 18th to the 20th of October at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. We will be there handing out some free safety resources and answering any of your child safety questions.
Head to the website now to get your hands on your free ticket and save $20. We’d love to see you there!
Call to Have All School Zone Speed Limits Set at 40kmh
Kidsafe Victoria is supporting the RACV’s campaign to have all school zone speed limits set to 40km/hr, to help keep child pedestrians safe.
Currently in Victoria there are 148 schools with a 60kmh limit. All are on high-speed roads where the normal speed limit is 80kmh or above.
Research shows that the higher a cars speed, the more likely it is that a pedestrian will die if they are hit. Child pedestrians are at an increased risk of injury on and around roads because unlike adults, they are less developed physically, cognitively and in terms of their traffic experience.
For more information on the campaign, please visit www.racv.com.au/royalauto/moving/news-information/60km-school-zones-victoria.html
Kidsafe Victoria in the Media
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Product Recalls
BMW AG — Mini JCW Children’s Pedal Go-Kart
The Go-Kart has large gaps between certain movable parts. The gaps may cause an entrapment hazard and children’s body parts may become trapped or jammed, causing an injury. Consumers should immediately stop using the Mini JCW Go-Kart and return for a full refund. For further information, please click here.
Buu Buu Children’s Wear — Children’s 2 Piece Cotton Sleepwear
The garment does not carry the fire hazard information label. The garment may pose a potential fire risk to the wearer. Consumers should immediately stop using the sleepwear and return the product to the store to get a replacement. For further information, please click here.
