With stay-at-home directions easing, schools re-opening and the ability to see more friends and family in person – not to mention some great weather – the mood in Victoria has certainly become more upbeat. Not everyone will be rushing to gather in crowds straight away – or wanting to have people hug and kiss their new little one just yet – so go at your own pace and set whatever boundaries you need until you feel ready.
With more of us likely to be on the road – and perhaps taking some long awaited road trips to the regions – please take a few minutes to check that your child car restraints are correctly installed and adjusted to fit your child, pack water for the trip and allow for rest stops. If you’re not sure about the safety of your child’s car restraint, many of our Safe Seats, Safe Kids locations are opening up again, so please book in for a free check.
Our thoughts are with all of those missing their little ones in Pregnancy and Infant Loss month – please do take the time to reach out to support services. ❤️
Take care, stay safe, and please follow our Facebook page to keep up to date with our latest tips and advice.
Kids Alive Resources
Are you looking for ways to help build your child’s confidence and water safety skills at home? Our friends at Kids Alive Do The Five have developed a wonderful range of video content designed for home-based learning, which can help you to introduce your kids to some basic learn to swim skills in the bath.
Water awareness or familiarisation classes are an important part of teaching children skills such as moving in the water, getting their face wet and blowing bubbles. However, it’s estimated that 5.9 million individual swimming lessons have had to be cancelled in Victoria since early 2020 due to COVID-19. These interruptions mean that children may not have the same level of confidence or skills as they did when they were participating in regular lessons.
The resources from the Kids Alive team provide a great opportunity for parents and carers to support their child’s learn to swim journey, as they learn and develop their confidence, skill level, awareness, and love of water.
Click here to check out the content for your little swimmers and share with your community.
For more information on what you can do to help keep your child safe in and around water, please click here.
How not to get spooked at the scariest time of the year
Are your kids excited about Halloween?
Whether you’re dressing the kids up for a scary movie marathon at home or thinking about taking them trick or treating, we’ve got some tips to help you ensure that your costumes, decorations and journeys around the neighbourhood are both spooky and safe.
Keep pools fun for your family with a safe pool barrier
Matt Welsh, Kidsafe campaign Ambassador and Olympic Swimming champion, loves the water. However, he is also aware of the potential dangers that water can pose – particularly to young children.
Most – if not all – of us are hoping there will be more time spent around the backyard pool enjoying a BBQ with family and friends as the weather warms up. So this month, Matt shares some advice on how you can make sure your pool or spa barriers are safe.
What’s in the News
Victorian Minister for Planning – Swimming pool and spa certification extension
The Age – Almost six million swimming lessons missed in pandemic
The Herald Sun – Laurie Lawrence urges parents to make swimming lessons a priority
AgVic Talk – Farm Safety doesn’t take a holiday with Jason Mellings and Jason Fogg
7 News – Lasting learning impact of injury on kids
Daily Mail – Young schoolgirl who was killed by a reversing caravan in a freak camping accident is remembered for ‘making the world a kinder and better place’
7 News – First aid organisation CPR Kids issues choking warning for Woolworths Bricks toyYoung boy injured after being hit by electric bike in Melbourne’s East
Product Recalls
BPM Australia Pty Ltd – Boppy Hug & News Newborn Lounger
If a baby or child is left unsupervised on this lounger, they may roll off or move into a position that obstructs breathing, which could pose a suffocation hazard.
For more information please click here
Australia Post – Nice & Nifty Light Up Bunny Sign and Nice & Nifty LED String Lights
The Light Up Bunny Sign contains 3 button batteries, and the LED String Lights contain a button battery in the packaging’s ‘Try Me’ button. The button battery compartments may not be adequately secured and the packaging does not contain safety warnings regarding button batteries.
For more information please click here and here.
D&D Technologies Pty Ltd – SureClose® READYFIT™ 180° Gate Hinge-Closer Kits
These hinges may not self close correctly. If the gate hinge does not operate correctly and gates remain unlatched, it may not prevent unsupervised access to areas including pools and spas.
For more information please click here.
Other product recalls this month include:
Bebabooth – Wooden Baby Rattles – Choking or Suffocation hazard
To keep up to date with all product recalls, please follow ACCC Product Safety on Facebook.
