Local Government Plays Major Role In Child Accident Prevention

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Kidsafe

Kidsafe Victoria's Community Outreach Program is providing child injury prevention messages to thousands of parents across the state through the delivery of face to face education sessions.

 

Local councils including the City of Kingston, City of Casey, City of Whitehorse, City of Melton, City of Greater Bendigo, Hobsons Bay City Council, City of Wodonga and Knox City Council, have committed to the program through their community grants programs, facilitating the provision of presentations to parent, carer and community groups in their municipalities.

Jason Chambers, Project Manager for Kidsafe Victoria, said that Kidsafe was pleased to see so many councils committed to reducing child injury in their municipality. He said that Kidsafe's Community Outreach Program provided a unique opportunity for parents and carers to receive vital child safety information and have discussions about the prevention of serious child injuries in their own homes and wider communities.

"Our homes are places where children spend the majority of their early years learning and growing, which is why it is so important that we ensure that measures are taken to protect our children from common injury hazards", said Mr Chambers.

The tailored, one hour, home safety sessions provide parents and carers with practical information and advice on a range of child injury issues including burns and scalds, drowning, falls, poisoning, choking and suffocation, pet safety, child restraints and nursery furniture safety.

Attendees of the sessions are provided with take home safety information packs and ongoing support through Kidsafe Victoria's communication channels.

Statistics from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit show that the home is the most common place where children are injured, with 46% of child injury hospital admissions a result of an injury that occurred in the home environment.

Common injury hazards found in the home include:
  • Poisons
  • Stairs
  • Curtain and blind cords
  • Bodies of water (e.g. baths, buckets, pools and pets drinking bowls)
  • Button batteries
  • Hot liquids
  • Mr Chambers said that Kidsafe Victoria's Community Outreach Program delivers practical strategies that parents and carers can employ in their own homes and communities to reduce the risk posed by these and other common injury hazards.

    Local councils wanting more information or wishing to sign up for the Community Outreach Program can contact Kidsafe Victoria via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Media Enquiries:
    Ron Smith, Media Communications, Kidsafe Victoria - Mobile: 0417 329 201