Kidsafe's Summer Tips
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:
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- 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.
- 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.