MUST SEE CHILD INJURY PREVENTION SESSIONS! - Safekids

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PRODUCT SAFETY & EVENTS CONSUMER ALERT: CHILD INGESTION DANGERS OF ‘SUPER MAGNETS’ Sets of small powerful magnets marketed as desk toys and puzzles for adults have become increasingly popular. Sold under a variety of brand names and from various sources including over the Internet, the sets are typically comprised of numerous – it can be as many as 1000 - identical and in the main spherical, or occasionally cubeshaped magnets, approximately 4 to 6 millimetres in size. These magnets are very strong, and most are Neodymium-Iron-Boron or NIB sometimes referred to as rare earth magnets. It is the strength of these magnets that enable them to be crafted into intricate 3 dimensional shapes. Whilst there have been no reported cases so far in New Zealand relating to infants and children swallowing or inhaling these types of magnets, there have been reported cases of serious harms from the US and Australia and there have sadly been some fatalities. The problem arises when more than one magnet is swallowed or inhaled and because of their strength they become attracted to each other in, for example, the digestive tract. This can lead to serious blockages, fistulas and perforations that in some cases can require major invasive surgery. A wide range of ages of children has featured in the reported cases. With infants and the very young it would appear that swallowing has been as a result of the natural curiosity and ‘mouthing’ activities that feature at that age. Older children – some in their early teens – have ingested or aspirated magnets when for example they have been using them to mimic body piercing jewellery. The risks of harm are sometimes exacerbated when the children involved cannot tell adults what has happened as is the case with the very young or if older children are too worried or embarrassed to say anything. Delay in treatment can be harmful. Consumer Affairs within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is currently investigating the issue as a matter of urgency and will be looking at what measures might be required to effect controls on the sale and supply of these magnets sets. In the meantime Consumer Affairs would advise anyone owning or thinking of buying one of these sets to take care that very young children are not able to gain access to them and that older children are made very aware of the dangers of misusing these products. For more information and if you have questions, contact the Ministry through the website, or follow the CPSC link for more safety information: Photo credit: www.cpsc.gov Photo credit: www.saferproducts.gov www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz http://www.cpsc.gov/info/magnets/index.html Alcohol and children’s injuries Safekids New Zealand Director Ann Weaver presented at the Alcohol Action NZ 3rd Annual Conference, focusing on the link between child injuries and alcohol abuse. In her presentation Ann said children are vulnerable as a result of other people’s risky drinking, which may result in the risk taking behaviours of intoxicated adults. She also highlighted opportunities for interventions Safekids New Zealand has taken, such as promoting active “sober” supervision. Her presentation echoed that of Dr Nick Baker, Chair of the Child & Youth Mortality Review Committee, who said alcohol use is often a factor in the deaths of babies and children. “Every baby needs a sober caregiver. Sometimes children are harmed by being in the care of someone who is unable to keep them safe properly because they are intoxicated,” Nick said. “Older children face added risks from drinking alcohol themselves or being in the company of people who are drunk.” The Child & Youth Mortality Review Committee operates under the umbrella of the Health Quality & Safety Commission. To watch this video, or for more information about ‘babies, children and alcohol’ and the Commission, visit: 14 www.mysafekids.org.nz (in the news) www.hqsc.govt.nz (search: babies, children and alcohol) Burns Support: Camp ‘Awhi’ 2012 The Burn Support Group Charitable Trust Camp was held this year in Rotorua. Following a tradition of naming each camp, it was decided that this year would be Camp Awhi—meaning to ‘cradle or embrace in your arms’. “The camp is for families with children aged between 7 and 18 who have sustained a burn injury, and offers an opportunity for mutual support among burn survivors,” said Burn Support Trust President George Stephens Each child had the opportunity to take part in all the activities which included kayaking, mud run, go karts, Burma trail, water slide, magic carpet ride and the favourite by far horse riding. A lot of the children had never done horse riding before, so it was nice being able to watch their little faces light up during the trek. Aside from offering burns survivor support, the trust is also a Safekids Campaign partner, promoting child burn injury prevention messages to communities, such as the first aid message ‘Seconds to burn BUT at least 20 minutes to cool!’ For more information about Burn Support, the camp and burns prevention, contact or visit: info@burns.org.nz www.burns.org.nz www.safekids.org.nz/index. php/page/Burns Safekids News: September 2012 Issue No 58
ACC SAFETY WEEK SAFETY WEEK IS HERE! Falls are a major cause of injury for kids around the home – but what many people don’t realise is that parents and caregivers also have serious falls at home. Each year over 100,000 people aged 25-64 fall at home. Thousands of the resulting injuries are so serious that they require more than a month off work to recover. The injuries sustained by parents and caregivers can impact greatly on their ability to care for children and participate in their activities. Imagine not being able to take your kids to school or watch them perform in the school production. ACC’s Safety Week from 1-7 October 2012 is about helping to prevent these types of injuries. The theme for Safety Week this year is ‘Fight the 5’. ACC is encouraging everyone to take action against common home hazards. Moss, rugs, power cords, chairs and puddles are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to serious falls in and around New Zealand homes. But the good news, it’s surprisingly easy to fight these five hazards and make your home a safer place for you and your children. • Moss - remove moss from paths and steps so you don’t slip. Cut trees and shrubs back to prevent shade – a condition that moss thrives in. BIG LEAP FOR JOSHUA! We recently received great news from Joshua Ward and mum Lara. Both were the face of the 2007 Safekids Campaign which resulted in the removal of caustic detergents (pH higher than 12.5) from supermarket shelves in New Zealand. The 2007 campaign, sponsored by Starship Foundation and Barfoot & Thompson, has been a success. There have been no serious caustic detergent ingestion injury admission similar to Joshua’s since then. Joshua was just 19 months old when he swallowed dishwashing powder, which left him with terrible injuries. At 5 years old he had already undergone almost 50 operations to remove scar tissue from his throat, was fed through a tube and needed 24-hour care. Early this year Joshua (now 9 years old) had his tracheotomy tube removed. Lara sent us a photo of Joshua’s first swimming experience. “Wow he put his head under water, eight years worth! He cupped my face with both hands and whispered ‘Mum, you have to let me go now!’ It wasn’t easy, but I did!” “He has such a wonderful team up at Starship, and we would like to thank Safekids from the bottom of my heart, for being there in those early dark days,” Thanks Joshua and Lara for being a part of the Safekids Campaign. Thanks also to Starship Foundation for sponsoring the Safekids Campaign. • Power cords – snaking power cords and general clutter are tripping hazards – secure cords out of harm’s way and tidy up mess regularly. Keep walkways clear. • Rugs and mats – fasten rugs or mats to floors and stairs. Fix upturned carpet to avoid nasty trips. • Chairs – chairs aren’t ladders and are very unstable if you stand on them. Using a ladder or step-ladder is much safer. • Puddles – wet areas are hazardous – wipe up spills or make bathrooms safer with non-slip shower, bath and floor mats. If you haven’t registered your organisation for Safety Week yet, it’s not too late – visit the home safety website and register for regular updates and great ideas on how you and your organisation can get involved. www.homesafety.co.nz 2007 2012 Joshua and Lara (top photo) at the Safekids Campaign in 2007, launching Australasia’s first poisoning prevention website. 15 Safekids News: September 2012 Issue No 58
Page 1 and 2: Visit our websites www.safekids.org
Page 3 and 4: Major sponsor In partnership with E
Page 5 and 6: 5 岁 ?7 岁 ? 还是 12 岁 ? 其
Page 7 and 8: TRAUMA TEAM UPDATE: Starship Childr
Page 9 and 10: C M Y CM MY CY CMY K THE CAMPAIGN T
Page 11 and 12: THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Community event
Page 13: THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Community event

MUST SEE CHILD INJURY PREVENTION SESSIONS! - Safekids

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