Kidsafe's Summer Tips
Ellen Sandell
State MP for Melbourne
25 January 2018
The excellent people at Kidsafe Victoria have released a warning and some tips about how we can keep kids safe over summer.
Number one on the list: don't leave kids alone in cars!
You can see their full media release below:
Kidsafe Victoria today said the weather forecast for scorching temperatures in the high 30s and early 40s this long weekend could prove fatal for children left unattended in cars.
Kidsafe Victoria General Manager, Jason Chambers, said, "the temperature inside a parked car can be 20-30 degrees hotter than outside - on a typical summer day, the inside temperature can reach a deadly 60 degrees in a matter of minutes."
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New figures from Ambulance Victoria show that Paramedics were called to 225 incidents involving children left unattended in cars during December 2017 alone.
"If you are heading out on a trip with the children and you have to leave the car, always take them with you. It could save their life," said Mr Chambers.
Toddler drowning is also high on the agenda with thousands of BBQ's and pool parties expected to be held across the State over the long weekend.
"Toddlers can drown quickly and silently which is why it is so important that they are actively supervised by an adult in and around water - this means having an adult within arm's reach at all times."
"Backyard pools are the most common location where toddlers drown. At parties and celebrations with lots of people around, adults can sometimes think someone else is watching the children around the pool, when in fact, nobody may be supervising them," said Mr Chambers.
Kidsafe Victoria's summer pool party safety tips:
- Take 15 minutes to check the safety of your pool barrier to ensure it is safe and in proper working order.
- Children require active adult supervision around water at all times. For toddlers, this means having an adult within arm's reach. If you have to leave the water area for any reason, take the children with you.
- For backyard BBQ's and pool parties, it can be a good idea to appoint a designated supervisor or supervisors to keep watch of children in and around water. This role can be shared throughout the day so that everyone can enjoy the festivities.
- Never prop the pool gate open - it might seem like a convenient idea to prop the gate open to allow people easy access to carry things like food and drinks into the area, however this can also allow children easy and often unsupervised access to the pool area.
- Toddlers can drown in as little as a few centimetres of water, so be mindful of other potential drowning hazards including esky's with melted ice, inflatable/portable pools, buckets and even pet's drinking bowls.
- Keep sun safe by following SunSmart's 5 steps - Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide!
- Learn CPR and update your skills regularly. Resuscitation posters kept near pools are a good reminder.
For more information on Kidsafe Victoria's 'Safe Barriers Save Lives' campaign and child water safety, please visit http://www.kidsafevic.com.au/water-safety/pool-fence-safety
Kidsafe Victoria's summer travelling tips
- Never leave children unattended in a car. If you have to leave your car, take your children with you.
- Make a 'look before you leave' routine whenever you get out of the car, to make sure nobody gets left behind.
- Consider travelling during the cooler hours of the day where possible.
- Provide plenty of cool fluids and water throughout the journey.
- Dress children in lightweight clothing.
For more information please visit www.kidsafevic.com.au/road-safety/hot-cars
Ellen Sandell
State MP for Melbourne
25 January 2018