NEWS - Kidsafe NSW

Keeping Our Children Safe
The NSW Government has launched an education
campaign to protect children from avoidable death and
injury.
Each year 8000 children are admitted to hospital
because of falls, 50 of which are from windows and
balconies. The Government has announced a new
campaign which will see 40,000 brochures and posters
distributed across the state. This material includes
simple tips to avoid injury and save lives:
The Fair Trading Minister, Anthony Roberts has
indicated that posters will be sent directly to all
licensed property and strata managers in NSW so they
can provide this important information to landlords,
rental tenants, strata owners corporations and strata
residents.
For more information visit:
health.nsw.gov.au/childsafety
kidsafensw.org
Do fix windows open at no more than 10cm or fit
secure window guards
Do keep furniture and other things children can
climb on away from windows and balcony edges
Do lock doors and windows when the balcony is
not being used
Always supervise your child closely
Kids in Cars
Holiday Safety Bunk Beds
Recent media reports have
highlighted the need for
parents and carers to be
aware of the dangers of
leaving children unattended
in cars.
Each year the NRMA rescues on average 2,000
unattended children from cars. Emergency services also
rescue many children.
The temperature inside a car can reach dangerously
high levels in just a few minutes. As the temperature
increases, the child can develop heat stress and start to
dehydrate. Young children are more sensitive to heat
than older children and adults. This can put them at
greater risk as their body temperature can reach
dangerous high levels much sooner.
What should parents and carers do
If you must leave the car, even to run a quick
errand - take the children with you.
Never use the car as a substitute ‗babysitter‘.
Never leave children in a car without adult
supervision for any length of time, not even a
minute!
Lock cars and secure keys when at home to
prevent children playing inside the car.
Make ‘look before you leave’ a routine whenever
you get out of the car.
For the Kids in Cars brochure contact Kidsafe NSW on
02 9845 0890 or visit our website kidsafensw.org
An Australian Standards handbook for bunk bed safety is
now available to the holiday accommodation industry.
It‘s important for businesses to be aware of the safety
standards and what‘s required of them. The handbook is
the latest step in the ongoing campaign to educate
businesses and prevent injuries.
For a copy of the handbook visit saiglobal.com
Whether your children use bunk beds every day or just
on holidays, there are some simple rules you can follow
to help protect them:
never allow children to play on or around bunk beds
never allow a child under nine to use the top bunk
do not use the top bunk if it has no rails – put the
mattress on the floor. Don‘t modify bunks in any way.
before making a holiday booking, check with the
renting agency or letting agent whether bunk beds
meet the latest standards
check ladders are properly attached and provide safe
access to and from the top bunk
familiarise yourself with the mandatory safety
standard – if you have an old bunk that does not meet
the standards get rid of it and get a new one that
does.
Accommodation providers are
asked to adopt the safety
r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d r i s k
management practices outlined in
the handbook.
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