29/10/2009

29 October 2009

Child's Death In Hammock Sparks Red Safety Alert

Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects has issued a red safety alert for all home owners in relation to attaching hammocks to brick pillars or single brick walls. The alert follows the tragic death of a three old boy crushed to death when a brick pier collapsed on a hammock in Western Australia.

Brad Cook, West Australian State Manager of Archicentre said it is a common mistake for people to believe that brick pillars or brick walls would be a safe option for fixing hammocks, gates or basketball rings to, without understanding the loads which might be placed on the structure.

Unfortunately the deaths of several children can be directly attributed to swinging on items attached to building elements that have collapsed causing tragedy.

Mr Cook said attaching gates, hammocks and basketball rings to any structure needs to be carefully assessed and can require a professional assessment in relation to the load being placed on the structure as well an inspection for any deterioration of the structure itself.

"Christmas and holiday periods, where people may be given a hammock as a gift, which are then attached to structures in the home or at their holiday home can create a dangerous situation if the installation is not done correctly.

"In recent times we have also seen the serious injury and deaths of children who were swinging on a gate attached to a brick pillar which collapsed, and hanging from a basketball ring attached to a single leaf brick wall over a garage door that collapsed."

Mr Cook said the issue of attaching items such as gates, hammocks and basketball rings to brick pillars or walls can also raise some serious insurance implications for owners corporations or operators of commercial premises such as hotels and motels in relation to property maintenance.

Archicentre would be recommending that anyone with a hammock or a basketball ring attached to a brick wall should undertake an immediate inspection.

ww.archicentre.com.au

Media Enquiries:
Brad Cook, West Australian State Manager Archicentre (08) 9389 6200 Mobile: 0400 037 094
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Archicentre (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201